Cala, Milton, Drumnadrochit, IV63 6UA

Nestled into the hillside of the beautiful village of Milton near Drumnadrochit, this well proportioned family home enjoys generous living space, five double bedrooms and could easily provide self contained annexe accommodation. The beautiful grounds extend to approximately 1 acre and boast the most beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the world famous Loch Ness

LOCATION:- Milton is a small village on the outskirts of Drumnadrochit where many amenities can be found including a supermarket, Post Office, doctor surgery, health centre, schools, restaurants, cafes and a petrol station. Drumnadrochit is popular for those who enjoy outdoor activities whilst city amenities and transport links can be enjoyed at Inverness which is a mere 16 miles away.

GARDENS:- A large gravel driveway leads to the property, where ample space is offered for parking several vehicles. The property enjoys extensive gardens with a patio area ideal for outdoor entertaining, large areas laid to lawn, a large greenhouse and outbuilding. The garden contains a young arboretum and a mature cherry wood together with an attractive pond and traditional 'bus shelter' style viewing structures.

ENTRANCE VESTIBULE:- The welcoming vestibule opens to the hallway.

HALLWAY:- The open and welcoming hallway provides access to the lounge, kitchen/diner, two ground floor bedrooms and is open to the staircase. There is Jack and Jill access to ensuite from bedroom one.

LOUNGE/GARDEN ROOM (5.36 m x 3.87 m) :- The spacious garden room is currently being utilised as a lounge enjoying cathedral height ceiling with windows facing the front, side and rear elevations taking in views of the rolling country side and Loch Ness. Access is offered for the garden grounds.

KITCHEN/DINER (7.66 m x 3.56 m):- The kitchen has been fitted with a combination of wall mounted and floor based units with marble worktop, one and a half bowl stainless steel sink with drainer, integrated fridge freezer eye-level integrated microwave Double integrated oven and halogen hob with extractor hood. Space is offered for a dishwasher within this room which is open plan to the dining space. Large windows enjoy an open outlook across rolling country side to the garden room. Access is offered for the utility room.

UTILITY ROOM (4.08 m x 2.70 m):- This room is furnished with wall mounted cupboards, stainless steel sink with drainer, fitted shelving, coat hanging hooks and offers ample space for white goods. Access is offered for the WC and for the garden grounds.

W/C (1.87 m x 0.88 m):- This room is furnished with a WC, wash hand basin and elevated fitted shelf.

SITTING ROOM/BEDROOM 6 (3.69 m x 2.97 m) :- This is a bright and highly versatile room which could be utilised for a variety of different purposes and enjoys open views across the rolling countryside courtesy of large windows to the front elevation.

POSSIBLE ANNEXE ACCOMMODATION:-

LOUNGE/KITCHENNETTE (4.63 m x 3.87 m):- The lounge benefits from a generous degree of natural light courtesy of the large windows to the side and rear elevations, views are offered across the rolling countryside. A multi-fuel stove resting on a brick hearth acts as a pleasing focal point in this room. The lounge benefits from a kitchenette comprising wall mounted and floor based units with worktop, stainless steel sink with drainer, eye-level integrated microwave and two ring halogen hob with extractor. The kitchen also houses an integrated fridge.

BEDROOM ONE (3.66 m x 3.58 m):-The spacious double bedroom offers a large window to the side elevation, enjoys two double fitted wardrobes with a cupboard, and its own ensuite shower room.

EN-SUITE (2.47 m x 2.65 m):- This suite is furnished with a WC, wash hand basin, shower cubicle with electric shower, a double fitted cupboard and extractor fan. This en-suite is Jack and Jill access to the hall.

STAIRCASE AND LANDING:-  The staircase ascends to the reception landing where ample space is offered for bookshelves and office furniture. Access is offered for four bedrooms, the family bathroom and two deep walk-in storage spaces.

MASTER BEDROOM (4.47 m x 3.58 m) :- The well proportioned double bedroom benefits from a generous degree of natural light courtesy of two windows to the side elevation which look towards Loch Ness and one window to the front elevation which looks across the surrounding countryside. This bedroom also boasts its own ensuite bathroom.

ENSUITE (3.68 m x 1.68 m) :- This large ensuite is furnished with a WC, bath, heated towel rail, wash hand basin and large shower cubicle with electric shower. A deep walk in storage cupboard offers additional storage space.

BEDROOM TWO (3.08 m x 3.21 m):- This double bedroom offering views across the surrounding countryside boasts triple integrated wardrobes with overhead cupboard storage.

FAMILY BATHROOM (3.58 m x 1.78 m):- This bathroom is furnished with a WC, wash hand basin, bath, shower cubicle with electric shower, shaver point with light and extractor fan.

BEDROOM THREE (4.41 m by 3.56 m) :-  This well proportioned double bedroom enjoys a generous degree of natural light courtesy of large windows to the side and rear elevations and views can be enjoyed across the surrounding countryside. This bedroom also boasts a double integrated wardrobe.

BEDROOM FOUR (3.47 m by 3.22 m):- The fourth bedroom is another generous double which enjoys a triple integrated wardrobe with overhead storage cupboards. A large window enjoys views across the rolling countryside.

GARAGE:- The large garage benefits from power and lighting and could serve a variety of purposes depending on the needs of the owner.

EXTRAS INCLUDED:- All fitted carpets, floor coverings, window fittings, light fixtures and integrated kitchen appliances are included within the sale. The white goods may be included under separate negotiation.

SERVICES:-  Mains water, electricity, television and telephone points. Private septic tank drainage.

CALA AND CLIMATE CHANGE

What are the features of Cala that mitigate against the production of carbon dioxide? This text attempts to address the question.

Like most houses of the 1990's, Cala has effective loft insulation (9 inches) and 4 inches of insulation in the cavity walls; underfloor insulation reduces heat loss from the ground floor and most of the windows are triple glazed.

An important feature is the photo-voltaic-panel electricity generating system. An 18-panel system was installed in 2011, and at maximum output on a sunny day in June it generates at over 3 kw. Over 12 months it consistently generates a little over 3000 kilowatt hours (units). In mid-2022, we were paid over 60 pence per unit for our contribution to reducing the amount of fossil-fuel generated electricity, plus 4.25 pence per unit for a notional 50% of our generated units which were deemed to have been given to the electricity company. We also have up to 3 kw of available power to power our own appliances; and the satisfaction of knowing we make a The "Feed-in-Tariff rate (in 2022 60 pence plus 50% of 4.25 pence) increases annually in line with inflation. To the purchaser of Cala will come the payment until 20 June 2036, amounting to nearly £3000 per year (based on expected increased rates as a result of inflation. We monitor the performance of the PV system closely. So far, there is no indication at all of any loss of output, and of course there are no running costs at all.

The principal source of heat and of hot water is oil. Although it is a fossil fuel, oil is one of the lowest producers of carbon dioxide, after electricity and gas. Replacing the oil burner with an running cost (namely electricity) could be provided from the photo-voltaic panels. Using an electric car offers the same opportunity.

Turning to the grounds of about one acre in which Cala is located, we see twenty or more of mature hardwood trees which have captured carbon dioxide and will continue to do so into the future. We also see twice as many young trees with the capability of doing the same, for perhaps a hundred years or more. Trees that have been recently felled, have either been used on the log burning stove, thus saving oil; or have been left in the woodland as reservoirs of carbon dioxide. Moreover, they have become home to important invertebrates!

Having a traditional vegetable and fruit garden reduces the need for buying them, and the concomitant production of carbon dioxide from commercial horticulture and from transport from the producer. At Cala, the garden provides year- round, or nearly year-round supplies of potatoes, cabbage, beans, peas, onions, strawberries and blackcurrants, and other fruit and vegetables.

In summary, Cala can justly claim to have several carbon dioxide reducing features, and the option of expending them in the future.