Donavourd House, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, PH16

A superb, fully refurbished country house set in 5 acres of wonderfully designed gardens in Highland Perthshire.

Donavourd House is an attractive country house dating from the early 19th century with later Victorian and Edwardian additions. The current owners have refurbished the property to a high standard, creating an exceptional family home. Improvements include a biomass heating system, reroofing, repointing, redecoration throughout, replacement of main en suite bathrooms, and installation of double glazed sash-and-case windows. Externally, a new triple garage, summerhouse, and remodeled gardens provide a stunning backdrop.

Accessed off a minor public road via an electric gated entrance, the house sits behind a large gravel parking area. Built of granite with sandstone surrounds and a pitched slate roof, the purple-painted fascia boards and finials make a striking first impression. The biomass heating system complements this period property, which features an attractive sandstone portico leading into a porch and impressive hallway. The hallway is tastefully decorated with wooden panelling, archways by the stairwell, a feature open fireplace, and oak flooring.

The ground floor includes four principal reception rooms: a snug with wood burning stove; an elegant drawing room with open fireplace and lawn access; a large dining room with doors outside and connecting doors to a fully functioning bar room with open fireplace. The heart of the home is the large dining kitchen featuring an island, marble worktops, integrated Miele appliances, and a wood pellet 3-oven cooker with induction hob. A separate sitting area with a 5kW wood burner completes this space. Additional ground floor rooms include a laundry, WC with dog shower, larder, office, second WC, and stairs leading to a functional cellar.

The first floor, accessed via a wide staircase, has a large landing highlighted by original leaded windows. There are six well-proportioned double bedrooms, each with garden views and en suite facilities. Three en suite bathrooms have been recently upgraded to an exceptional standard, featuring rolltop baths and separate double showers.

The East Wing forms a versatile annexe, connected to the main house but with its own separate entrance. Over two storeys, it includes a kitchen and sitting room downstairs, plus two double bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.

Adjacent to the house is a new triple garage with two electric roller doors and an open bay, plus a store suitable for bikes. A large garden shed off the driveway houses the 149 kW biomass boiler and 15-tonne pellet store.

The property extends to 5.19 acres with stunning views over the Tummel Valley. Doors from the drawing and dining rooms open to a gravel path leading to a large paved terrace overlooking the gardens. The grounds feature formal lawns, planted borders, and pathways throughout. A Breeze House oval summerhouse provides electricity, heating, ample seating, and panoramic views. Beyond the formal gardens are a sheltered polytunnel, treehouse, and a large enclosed vegetable patch with 12 raised beds. A stables building accommodates four horses and doubles as a shelter or store. A meadow area offers potential paddocks for grazing. At the front, next to the garage, steps lead to an enclosed deck with a seating area.

Donavourd House is situated in one of the most scenic areas of Highland Perthshire with incredible, far-reaching views across rural Strathtummel. The Victorian spa town of Pitlochry is just a short drive away (1.5 miles). The vibrant town has excellent services including a supermarket, various independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops, train stations, book shops, newsagents, chemists and plant nursery. Schooling for nursery, primary and secondary are available at Pitlochry High School. There is also a medical center, dentist and community hospital. As well as being a gold medal winner from the Royal Horticultural Society in the Britain in Bloom campaign, the town is host to a variety of events throughout the year, including the Highland Games, the Tummel and Tay festival and the Enchanted Forest sound and light experience. The lovely town of Dunkeld is about 12 miles to the south and is home to a historic cathedral as well as local shops, restaurants and excellent sporting facilities at Dunkeld House Hotel. The city of Perth is 26 miles to the southeast, providing more extensive services. For private schooling, Ardvreck Prep School and Nursery, Morrison's Academy, Glenalmond College, Craigclowan, Strathallan, Kilgraston and Dollar are all within easy reach. The train station at Pitlochry offers services to Inverness, Perth, Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh and a daily sleeper service to London. The nearby A9 provides swift road links north to Inverness and south to Perth, Edinburgh (69 miles), Stirling (55 miles) and Glasgow (81 miles). The House of Bruar, known as the “Harrods of the North,” is just 12 miles to the north. Donavourd sits close to the Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK, which encompasses about 1,748 square miles. The National Park has plenty of hill walking, mountain biking and climbing opportunities. For the sporting enthusiast, there is superb stalking and shooting to rent on the surrounding estates and salmon and sea trout fishing on the Rivers Tay and Tummel. For the golfer, this particular part of Highland Perthshire offers diverse courses including Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Strathtay, Aberfeldy and Taymouth Castle, amongst others. The ski slopes of Glenshee and Aviemore are also within easy reach. Edinburgh airport is 67 miles away and offers a range of flights to domestic and international destinations.