The Old St. Nicholas Manse, Holm, Orkney, Orkney Islands, KW17

Elegantly renovated former manse occupying a breath-taking coastal position on Orkney.

Description

The Old St Nicholas Manse enjoys a peaceful yet dramatic coastal setting, overlooking the Bay of Cornquoy with far reaching sea views to Burray and beyond. While delightfully private, the property is conveniently located approximately 9 miles from Kirkwall, Orkney’s main town, and around 4 miles from the village of St Mary’s.

Orkney is celebrated for its unspoilt landscapes, rich cultural heritage and excellent quality of life, making the Manse ideally suited as a primary residence, lifestyle retreat or income generating holiday property.

Formerly a manse serving the local parish, The Old St Nicholas Manse is an elegant and substantial country house which has been sensitively renovated and refurbished to a high standard. The property retains its historic proportions and character while incorporating stylish contemporary finishes, creating a bright and modern home.

The accommodation totals seven bedrooms, with excellent flexibility over three levels. The layout lends itself equally to use as a large single dwelling or as a four bedroom main house incorporating a self contained three bedroom upper floor suite - ideal for multi generational living or holiday let use.

The property begins via entrance hall leading into the heart of the house. The elegant principal reception rooms are arranged off the central hallway and include a well proportioned sitting room with open fire, a wood panelled dining room also with open fire, and a delightful conservatory which enjoys garden views and plentiful natural light.

From here, a stylish design led, kitchen with handcrafted cabinetry, brass detailing and a generous island combine to create an elegant and highly sociable heart of the home, fitted with an Aga range and a range of wall and floor mounted units offering ample worktop space. A utility/shower room sits adjacent, providing practical storage and secondary access, whilst a separate detached stone built outbuilding provides useful ancillary space for outdoor equipment, maintenance items or general storage.

The first floor provides four generously sized double bedrooms, all of which benefit from their own en suite bathrooms, offering excellent comfort for family use or guest accommodation. A central landing connects all rooms and maintains a balanced and practical layout.

The second floor offers further versatility. A bright kitchen/living area forms the heart of this level, complemented by three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms arranged off a central landing.

The Manse sits within a mature and sheltered garden enclosed by c.1700 dry stone walls. The walled garden offers privacy and character, with established planting and lawned areas creating a peaceful outdoor setting. The elevated coastal position affords uninterrupted sea views from both the house and garden.

Location

Orkney is a group of around 70 islands situated just off the north coast of mainland Scotland, separated from Caithness by the Pentland Firth. The largest island, known as Mainland, is home to the principal towns of Kirkwall and Stromness, as well as many of the islands’ key amenities and transport links. The Old St Nicholas Manse is located in Holm, a small parish on the eastern side of Orkney’s Mainland, positioned just south of Kirkwall. It is a peaceful, rural area characterised by open farmland, low-lying coastal landscapes and expansive views across the North Sea and Scapa Flow.

Despite its remote feel, Orkney is readily accessible. Regular flights operate from several Scottish cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, arriving at Kirkwall Airport. Ferry services also connect the islands to the mainland, with routes from Scrabster to Stromness and from Aberdeen to Kirkwall, offering both passenger and vehicle access. Another ferry route also goes from Gills Bay (Caithness) to Orkney mainland three times a day.

Orkney is internationally recognised for its exceptional archaeological heritage, including the Heart of Neolithic Orkney - a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing landmarks such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. The islands are also known for their dramatic coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, and strong cultural identity, with thriving traditions in music, arts and crafts.

In addition, Orkney has a reputation for high-quality local produce, particularly seafood and beef, as well as renowned distilleries producing both whisky and gin. The combination of accessibility, natural beauty and cultural significance makes Orkney one of Scotland’s most distinctive and compelling locations.

Square Footage: 4,429 sq ft



Additional Info

Mains electricity and water
Drainage to septic tank
Oil fired central heating
Upper floor served by oil central heating and immersion water heater