The Old Saw Mill (Seann Mhuileann An T-Sabhaidh), Ardbrecknish, Dalmally, PA33 1BH

A lovely contemporary country house in a situation of great natural scenic beauty close to Loch Awe.

Description
The Old Saw Mill (Seann Mhuileann An T-Sabhaidh) is an imaginatively conceived detached country house (completed in 2007) in a rural situation of great natural scenic beauty close to the banks of Loch Awe in mid Argyll & Bute. The house is set on the site of the historic Ardbrecknish estate sawmill with evidence of the old mill race having been retained. Internally, the house is very tastefully decorated in soft and light neutral tones, the flooring is mainly to engineered solid oak and oiled hardwood, internal doors are also to oiled oak hardwood and completed with distinctive black heritage ironmongery to hinges, and Suffolk latch door furniture. Kitchen and bathroom ware is good range quality finished with complimentary coloured and durable Travertine tiling.

Externally, the house is a combination of white painted smooth render, weather treated red cedar and rustic stone, cleverly recycled from the relics of the historic sawmill. The whole is under a slated roof, and it is set on low maintenance gardens and grounds which feature an extensive sheltered and sunny deck at the rear, the old mill stream, together with a stand of Sitka spruce trees, some semi ancient native trees underplanted here and there with rhododendrons. White painted stones define the gardens to the front with some montbretia plantings. There is a generous chipped granite surfaced driveway, vehicle hard standing and turning areas which wrap around the front and sides of the house.

Given the quiet peaceful rural setting, there is much evidence of wildlife, a myriad of songbirds visit The Old Saw Mill feeders, red squirrels and families of pine martens, red roe and occasional sika deer are on the lands and the area has both golden and sea eagles, the burn that passes through the land has wonderful therapeutic qualities as the sparkling clear waters bubble over the rocks, scattering the sunlight over the grassy banks and trees.

While the Old Sawmill is a perfect principal home, Loch Awe is also a well-known west of Scotland holiday and short break destination and so The Old Saw Mill offers scope to new owners as a second or income producing, self-catered holiday home.

Ground Floor
Solid timber outer door with quarter glass light to entrance vestibule with outerwear coat hooks and honed travertine, slatted shelved linen store and airing cupboard with water filtration and UV lamping gear, door leading to stylish open plan reception hallway, open to dining room open to well-equipped integrated kitchen with matching base and wall units with hand made splashback tiling and warming red enamel Rayburn stove, fridge and dishwasher. From the dining room a full drop glass door and side screens provide access to the expansive sheltered rear deck. Utility room with honed travertine, integrated freezer, washer & dryer, further solid door with quarter glass light to side gardens, electrical switchgear, base and wall units finished with travertine tile splashback. Ground floor bedrooms 1 & 2 both with side and full drop fenestration to surrounding countryside, shower/steam room glass cubicle, hard wood floor, Flemish glass side window, vanity set wash hand basin, travertine splashback tile, upright chrome radiator/towel rail.

First Floor
Dressed solid oak hardwood staircase to first floor level, fine bright sitting room with warming upright log burner/optional cooker set on a slated hearth, fully glazed southern gable, 4 x velux windows 2 of which feature the velux roof balcony system, bedroom 3 with 2 x velux windows and glazed gable overlooking deck and rear woodlands, attic access hatch, fitted wardrobe, en suite bathroom with 2 x velux windows, hard wood floor, travertine splashback, corner sited turbo spa bath and upright chrome radiator/towel rail.

Gardens
The gardens have been cleverly designed with low maintenance in mind, to the front, a chipped granite surfaced driveway, vehicle hardstanding and turning area. The chipped granite wraps around both sides of the house and flagstone pathways lead to front and side doors and also onto the expansive deck at the rear. At the rear a large, elevated timber deck with timber balustrading offers wonderfully sheltered outdoor space to enjoy wildlife sightings, alfresco dining, summer furniture and quiet sundowners. The old mill stream bubbles over the rocks at the rear and a timber bridge leads to further rear gardens with a stand of Sitka spruce trees, some semi ancient native trees underplanted here and there with rhododendrons. White painted stones define the gardens to the front with some montbretia plantings.

Outbuildings
UPVC garden shed/general purpose store.

Services
Private, UV lamped and micro filtered water supply, LPG fired Rayburn supplying heating to radiators and hot water (subterranean metred storage tank) double glazing, private septic tank.

Note: The services have not been checked by the selling agents.

Council Tax
The Old Saw Mill is in Band D and the amount of council tax payable for 2026/2027 is £1783.33 excluding water and sewerage.

EPC rating F

Viewing
Strictly by appointment with Robb Residential

Situation
The Old Saw Mill is in the lovely hamlet of Ardbrecknish on the southern side of Loch Awe. From its bucolic position, there are aspects across adjacent countryside to the mountains and glens beyond and with glimpses of Loch Awe in the distance.

The community in Ardbrecknish is friendly, warm and welcoming, with an active local committee organising a variety of social events throughout the year, including ceilidhs, dance lessons and quiz nights. Monthly church services are also held at St James' Episcopal Church.

Loch Awe is one of Scotland’s most spectacular lochs. It is 25 miles long and runs from the village of Lochawe in the north to Ford near the west coast to the south. At its northern end is Kilchurn Castle, a dramatic ruin, and one of Scotland’s most famous and most photographed castles. There are a number of islands on the loch including Innishail, which is the burial island of the Dukes of Argyll. Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, is at the head of Loch Fyne.

There is spectacular hill walking, climbing and mountaineering in the area with skiing at Glencoe. The numerous lochs and rivers of mid Argyll provide both salmon fishing and trout fishing, and the opportunity for boating and water sports. There is a variety of fresh water fish in the loch and in 2002 a British record 31lb 12oz wild brown trout was caught. The Ardbrecknish House Restaurant showcases models of these, in its welcoming bar.

Some of the local estates have low ground and rough shoots and it is possible by permission to arrange stalking.

The west of Scotland is well known among the yachting fraternity for its beautiful sailing scenery. There are marina and chandlery services at Oban, Croabh Haven and Ardfern. Ardbrecknish is home to a historic boatyard on the shores of Loch Awe, reflecting the area's long-standing connection with boating and fishing.

As with most parts of Scotland, one is never too far from a golf course, and The Old Saw Mill is no exception. The nearest courses are at Dalmally and Taynuilt.

Lochawe has a small railway station on the Glasgow to Oban line. The village has a post office/general store, the recently totally refurbished destination eatery, Ben Cruachan Inn, village hall, and a beautiful church. Dalmally is slightly larger and has a primary school, doctor’s surgery, pharmacy and village store. Oban has a full range of shops and supermarkets, secondary schooling and professional services. Oban is the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal to the Western Isles.

Travel Directions
From Glasgow take the A82 Loch Lomond road north to Tarbet. Continue straight through at Tarbet onto the A83, continue on the A83 for 23 miles to reach Inveraray. Turn right in Inveraray onto the A819 and continue for 8.9 miles. Turn left onto the minor road (B840) signposted Claddich, Portsonachan, Eredine Ford, after 0.2 miles turn left again on the B840 and continue for 1.9 miles to Ardbrecknish. Turn sharp right onto the access track/road and continue for 0.2 miles to find The Old Saw Mill on the right-hand side.