Alpin House, Upper King Street, Tain, Highland, IV19

Alpin House is a C listed, mainly Georgian house in the historic Royal Burgh of Tain set on the southern shores of the Dornoch Firth. In a peaceful setting overlooking a small town green, the property is within walking distance of the town centre, railway station and coastal path along the firth.

The area is popular for its dry climate, wonderful coastal light and fertile farmland culminating in a coastline of sandy beaches dotted with historic fishing villages. This varied landscape offers many opportunities for a wide range of rural sports and recreation, while the coastline has a series of links golf courses, including one in Tain itself, and the most famous of which, the Royal Dornoch Championship Course, is a short drive from the house. Tain has a good range of shops and amenities including a railway station and schooling up to secondary level. Inverness, just less than an hour’s drive away, has all the facilities of a modern city including its airport with regular flights to the South and Europe.

The current owner purchased Alpin House in 2004 and began full renovation under the guidance of local conservation architect Lachie Stewart. This work included the creation of a dining kitchen, second bathroom, new window openings and overhauling existing windows, a new kitchen floor with underfloor heating, extensive roof work including replacing and treating timbers, rewiring, replumbing, a new rear porch, reharling and new cast iron rainwater goods. All work has been carried out in accordance with the Historic Environment Scotland listing requirements and where possible original features have been restored, retained or replicated resulting in a beautiful interior. Of particular note is the discovery of the marriage stone dated 1719 over the dining room fireplace.

EPC Rating = E