The Old Kirk, Church Street, Fordyce, Banff, AB45

Stunning 18th century converted church with walled garden.

Description

The Old Kirk is a stunning 18th century converted church, nestled within the picturesque conservation village of Fordyce, just a few miles away from the small towns of Portsoy and Cullen in Aberdeenshire.

This unique property extends to around 4,779 square feet over two floors and was converted around 2014 from a church dating back to the 1700s. While the beautiful arched windows and soaring ceilings of the original building have been carefully preserved and allow high levels of natural light to flood in, the conversion also embraces a strong contemporary design, creating a hugely impressive and substantial home. Outside, a lovely walled garden offers lawns and outside space.

The Old Kirk is entered through double doors with an attractive fanlight, into the floor-tiled vestibule which opens into a large reception hall (ideal as a dining area). This in turn leads into the fabulous open plan kitchen and living area which has a double height ceiling and dramatic glass-balustrade mezzanine level above. Warm-coloured engineered oak floors with underfloor heating allow the accommodation to flow naturally and there is a wood burning stove anchoring the space, while bespoke barn-style sliding door combine both character and a modern edge.

The professional-standard kitchen boasts sleek, high-gloss cabinetry housing integrated Siemens appliances, alongside a professional-grade stainless steel island/breakfast bar and commercial-sized refrigeration – ideal for those who love to entertain on a grand scale. Completing this level are two large double bedrooms, each with an en suite shower room. There is also a utility room and WC.

An oak staircase ascends to an extensive living room with double log stove, the exposed flue of which rises to the high ceiling, while a glazed balcony overlooks the kitchen below. A skylight allows natural light to filter in and also illuminates the ground floor. The remaining three double en suite bedrooms are on this level including the impressive principal bedroom which has a dressing room and en suite with freestanding bath and separate shower. An original curved stone staircase off the living room takes you back to the front of the building.

Outside: Occupying a peaceful and highly attractive setting, The Old Kirk enjoys beautifully landscaped grounds extending to approximately 0.35 acres. Enclosed for the most part by handsome stone walls, the gardens provide a wonderful sense of shelter and privacy, with expansive lawns gently framed by mature trees, colourful roses creating a particularly picturesque feature. Outside of the boundary a charming burn runs through the village of Fordyce.

The established gardens offer an enchanting balance of open space and seasonal interest, while a traditional stone outbuilding provides valuable storage. Surrounding the house, gravelled pathways, neat lawns and planted beds enhance the immediate setting, creating a delightful outdoor environment that perfectly complements the character and charm of this unique home.

Location

Primary schooling can be found in the village of Fordyce and secondary schooling is located in the nearby town of Buckie, some eleven miles away, where there are also larger NHS facilities, banks, and supermarkets. The lovely Sandend bay sits about (2 miles) away from the property.

The nearby town of Portsoy offers a wide range of amenities, including a small supermarket, garages, a doctor’s surgery, restaurants, hotels and primary schooling. It is also well known for its annual Traditional Small Boats Festival, held each summer and attracting visitors from far and wide. Scenic boat trips from Macduff or Cullen can be arranged to spot the famous Moray Firth Dolphins. The area has excellent communications.

The A96 lies to the east is the main road connecting Aberdeen and Inverness. Both cities offer domestic and international flights as well as daily direct railway service to London including the Caledonian Express sleeper train. More locally the train can be taken from Keith to either city. Gordonstoun School accepts day and boarding pupils and is about (30 miles) away.

The nearby River Spey and the Deveron are two of Scotland’s premier fishing rivers. There are unlimited opportunities for hill walking, with deer forests and grouse moors also within easy reach. The area is famed for its varied and abundant wildlife, and there are of course, a number of well-known distilleries. Away from the hills, there are numerous golf courses in the county with two well renowned course at Duff House Royal and Royal Tarlair.

Distances:
Portsoy (3 miles)
Buckie (11 miles)
Banff (11 miles)
Elgin (26 miles)
Aberdeen (55 miles)
Inverness (65 miles)*
All miles are approximate source google maps

Square Footage: 4,779 sq ft



Additional Info

Viewings: Strictly by appointment with Savills –

Services: Mains electricity, water and drainage. The house is heated by an air to water heat pump. Heating to the ground floor is a wet underfloor heating system. There is no central heating to the first-floor habitable rooms, though the owners advised that, there are heated towel rails and pipework is in place for smart rads if required. Stovax wood burning stove. Windows are timber framed and are a mix of single glazed sash and casement windows and double-glazed sash and casement window.

Miscellaneous: Category B Listed. The listed building citation states that the building was dated 1804. It is understood that the building ceased to be used as a Church in 2012 and was converted into a residential property between 2014 to 2017. The property lies at the edge of the rural village of Fordyce.

Fixtures & Fittings: Standard fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

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.

Possession: Vacant possession and entry will be given on completion.

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.