The ‘deer stalker express’ is known to many who live and work in London as they head north to enjoy a few days shooting and fishing on Scotland’s moors and rivers. Being able to get north overnight or on a short flight is of benefit to many city dwellers. However, in today’s world many people prefer to spend most of their time in the country with occasional visits to the city. In this feature we present several properties across the country which combine the rural idyll with easy travel to our major centres

Treeton Steading, Ardersier, by Inverness

Just two miles from Inverness Airport, Treeton Steading, Ardersier, is a magnificent conversion of an extensive Victorian steading. Dating from the 1880’s it was first converted to residential use in 1983 but has since undergone major improvements including the incorporation of a further leg of the courtyard to form a beautiful drawing room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom suite. Throughout the house there is a series of double glazed wagon arches bringing lots of light into the rooms. The drawing room is particularly attractive with its full height and exposed beams, open fireplace and library gallery. Set in about 1.85 acres this family home has drawing-room, dining room, sitting room, office/ laundry, study/bedroom 5, kitchen, cloakroom, shower room, master bedroom with adjoining bathroom and separate shower room, three further bedrooms (one en suite) and the library gallery. The private gardens comprise lawn, orchard and woodland.

Glenfintaig, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire

If your desire is for a small highland estate with a Georgian mansion overlooking a beautiful loch then look no further than Glenfintaig House at Spean Bridge. For that necessary access to London the sleeper to London Euston is just four miles away. This desirable property lies in 336 acres and enjoys two miles of loch frontage, jetties and a launching ramp. There is also a pheasant shoot, woodland stalking, fishing and new equestrian facilities. At the heart of the estate is Glenfintaig House, a Georgian style mansion dating largely from 1935, when a fire all but destroyed the original house on the site. The house has been impeccably refurbished to the highest standards incorporating the latest technology and a highly efficient wood chip boiler for the new central heating system. The house has three main reception rooms, a beautiful kitchen with new electric Aga and various domestic offices on the ground floor.

There are five bedroom suites, two further bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and a second floor billiard room. Glenfintaig also comes with extensive garaging, boat storage, gunroom, rod room and a staff flat presently used as an office. New equestrian facilities are an additional feature of the property, comprising a Dutch barn with three loose boxes, a tack room and workshop. The house overlooks Loch Lochy to Bunarkaig on the western side, and to Achnacarry and Glen Arkaig, the wartime training ground for Commandos who are commemorated by the famous statue at nearby Spean Bridge.

Greenhead Farmhouse, Inchinnan, Renfrewshire

Greenhead Farmhouse is described as a well-presented family home, with the original farmhouse having been extended into the adjoining farm buildings to create a home of great character, yet with modern clear lines. The property is situated in the village of Inchinnan about 12 miles from Glasgow city centre and within easy reach of Glasgow Airport. A large reception hall with wooden open tread staircase leads to a striking drawing room with stone fireplace inset into an exposed stone wall. Greenhead also boasts a study, dining room, dining kitchen, utility room and workshop. There is a master bedroom with en suite bathroom, three further double bedrooms, bathroom, shower room and private enclosed south facing gardens.

Avenel, Kilmalcolm

Again this property is close to Glasgow airport yet is on the edge of the village and close to open countryside. This new detached ‘Arts and Crafts house has been completed to an exacting standard and sits in just over an acre of landscaped gardens with access to a private wood and trout river. The outer vestibule of the house leads to an interesting double height octagonal shaped entrance hall with marble flooring and borrowed light from the first floor upper hall windows. In the west wing an elegant drawing room has a welcoming fireplace with double doors to the dining room. Both rooms feature south facing French doors to the garden. A staircase from the reception hall leads to the octagonal shaped upper hallway where there is access to five bedrooms and a family bathroom. Formal landscaped gardens extend to 1.14 acres.

fieldfacts

Greenhead Farmhouse, Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Knight Frank, Guide Price, £455,000 Tel: 0131 222 9600 www.knightfrank.com Treeton Steading, Ardersier, By Inverness Guide Price, £625,000. Knight Frank, Tel: 0131 222 9600 www.knightfrank.com Glenfintaig, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire. Offers over £2.5 million. Knight Frank,Tel: 0131 222 9600. Savills, Tel: 0131 247 3704 Avenel, Kilmalcolm, Renfrewshire. Guide Price £1.550m. Strutt & Parker, Tel: 0141 225 3880 www.struttandparker.com Savills, Tel: 0141 222 5875 www.savills.co.uk