The Mary Acre, 11 Argyll Street, Brechin, Angus, DD9

Stunning and architecturally distinctive townhouse, with a lovely garden.

Description

The Mary Acre, 11 Argyll Street in Brechin, is a most impressive and attractive house. It was built in 1901-1902 for Alexander Philip, who was a prominent lawyer in Brechin, and involved with restoration works at Brechin Cathedral which were being undertaken by the architects Honeyman, Keppie & Mackintosh, of which Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a partner. Mr Philip used the firm to design a house for himself on an area of ground he had acquired, named after a site of an earlier hospital dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The site had also once been a local bowling club. The style of the semi-circular tower staircase in The Mary Acre and much of the internal woodwork suggests the involvement, or certainly the influence of Mackintosh himself, and invoke other famous houses designed by him. Mackintosh was well known for his Art Nouveau work and this can be seen in a number of tiled fireplaces in the house, and in a Gothic style fireplace in the drawing room. Other original features include cornices, mantels, mouldings, staircase, picture rails, panelled doors and door furniture. As such it is a house of considerable architectural merit.

The Mary Acre is a most attractive stone built house, with a slate roof, which still retains much of its original character and features, while at the same time being a beautifully presented home, and ideal as a lovely family house. With generously proportioned and interlinking reception rooms, it is a house that is also ideal for entertaining. The house was divided in the 1970s, with what was originally the rear part of the property now separate with its own access drive, yet The Mary Acre contains all the original principal accommodation and bedrooms, and feels private. The house benefits from secondary glazing. The sellers have owned the house since 1983 and have continued to make improvements, including the addition of a breakfast room off the kitchen, creating additional bedrooms on the top floor, installing a new boiler some 10 years ago, and re-wiring the house in 2019. Externally there are lovely established and well laid out gardens to the front and rear, extending to some 0.57 acres, and screened from Argyll Street and the neighbouring drive by a high hedge.

Gates open onto a tarred driveway which leads up to tarred parking and turning at the house, where a front door opens to an entrance hallway with a wall light and tiled floor. A cloakroom has a washbasin with vanity unit, WC and tiled floor. Off this is a utility room with fitted units with a sink, Miele washing machine, outside vented dryer, and clothes pulley. The inner hall has an impressive wooden staircase to the first floor, along with two wall lights. Under the stairs is a useful store room which leads to a secure cellar. The drawing room is exceptional, with many distinctive and characterful features including a panelled ceiling and walls, open fireplace, large raised bay window, glazed door to the garden and four wall lights. Beyond is a dining room, again with a panelled ceiling, large bay window and fireplace. A sitting room also has a panelled ceiling, along with a fireplace with a carved wooden mantel, wall light and a walk in cupboard.

The kitchen has wooden units and a sycamore floor. Appliances include a four oven AGA, Panasonic microwave, Siemens dishwasher, NEFF two ring hob and Bosch fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser, together with a sink. Off this is the breakfast room, which won a commendation in 1980, and has a glazed door to a courtyard.

The staircase, lit by leaded curved windows, with two wall lights, leads up to a landing, again with two wall lights. There is a dedication in Latin to the house and its original owner. Bedroom 1 has recessed shelves, a fireplace and two wall lights, while a tiled shower room has a shower, washbasin and WC. The principal bedroom has fitted wardrobes and a partially tiled en suite with a bath, shower cubicle, washbasin with vanity unit and WC. Bedroom 3 is currently used as a study and has recessed shelves, fireplace and a wall mounted Sony TV, while bedroom 4 has three wall lights, washbasin and a fireplace. Stairs lead up to the second floor where bedroom 5 has an under eaves hanging cupboard and a partially tiled en suite with bath, shower cubicle, washbasin and WC, This gives access to an attic housing a wall mounted British Gas boiler. Bedroom 6 has a wall light.

There is a wooden garage with an up and over door, and attached store. The lovely gardens are enclosed by hedges and walls and include some fine trees including a good beech and a cedar. There is a sundial and telephone kiosk, along with lawns, wooden garden shed, paved seating area and a summer house with power.

Location

The Mary Acre is situated in Argyll Street, which is a well known and prestigious residential area of Brechin. Brechin is located just off the A90 dual carriageway which connects Dundee with Aberdeen. The Mary Acre is within easy walking distance of Maisondieu Primary School, the High School and the town centre which provides a range of shops, banks, business and leisure facilities. There is a swimming pool at the new community campus and High School. Private schooling is available at Lathallan (Johnshaven) with a bus service from Brechin, and at Dundee High School.

The nearby A90 provides fast access to Aberdeen and south to Dundee which are both easily reached and offer all the services expected of major cities. Dundee has renowned cultural facilities including the V&A museum. There are railway stations at Montrose and Laurencekirk on the east coast mainline with regular services to Aberdeen and the south, including a sleeper to London. Journey times to Aberdeen and its airport have been much reduced by the Western Peripheral Route. Aberdeen Airport provides a range of domestic and European flights and there is a service from Dundee to Heathrow. Edinburgh Airport is also easily reached.

Brechin is well placed to take advantage of the many sporting pursuits the county of Angus has to offer. There are golf courses at Brechin, Edzell and Montrose together with the championship course at Carnoustie. Fishing is available on the nearby South and North Esks. The Angus Glens, which form the foothills of the Grampian mountains, offer some of the best hill walking in eastern Scotland, together with skiing at Glenshee in the winter. Brechin Equestrian Centre is located close by and there are renowned sandy beaches at Lunan Bay and at St Cyrus, which is a nature reserve, as is Montrose Basin. From the nearby village of Edzell the scenic Cairn o’ Mount route gives access to Deeside.


Distances A90 1.5 miles, Montrose 9 miles, Laurencekirk 11 miles, Forfar 11 miles, Dundee 26 miles, Aberdeen 40 miles.

Square Footage: 4,059 sq ft


Acreage: 0.57 Acres

Directions

Postcode for sat nav DD9 6JL. What3words ///spirit.rucksack.unravel


From Dundee head north on the A90 dual carriageway and take the turning into Brechin (A935) passing the Brechin Castle Centre. In Brechin take the turning on the left, just before the Brechin Arms, onto Airlie Street, and then take the second right onto Argyll Street. The turning into The Mary Acre will be seen on the left, after passing the church on the other side of the road.

Alternatively, if coming from the north on the A90, take the B966 to Brechin, passing through Trinity. On entering Brechin turn right at the mini roundabout (signposted to Little Brechin) onto Distillery Road, and then take the second left onto Latch Road. Argyll Street is the second turning on the left, and the turning into The Mary Acre will be seen on the right, after the high hedge.

Additional Info

Viewings - Strictly by appointment with Savills – .

Services - Mains water, electricity, drainage and gas. Mains gas central heating.

Local Authority & tax band - Angus Council tax band G.

Fixtures & Fittings - Fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings are included. Certain furnishings may be available by separate negotiation.

Environmental Stipulations - The Mary Acre is Listed Category B.

Photos taken August 2025 and brochure produced September 2025

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves - The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Offers - Offers, in Scottish legal form, must be submitted by your solicitor to the Selling Agents. It is intended to set a closing date but the seller reserves the right to negotiate a sale with a single party. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection.

Deposit - A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:

1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.

Our ref DRO250902