Thistle House, Forres, IV36

The ultimate lifestyle house in the North of Scotland, Thistle House combines virtually everything that one could want in a home; space, privacy, easy access to transport, clean air, safety, lovely vistas over fields and woodland with big skies, packaged in an energy efficient house, built to a high specification with outstanding, spacious living accommodation on a substantial area of land. The utmost attention has been paid to each and every aspect of this house, from construction materials through to the quality of the finishes. Sitting in approximately 2.9 acres, there is significant scope for keen gardeners, animal owners and outdoor enthusiasts. Your imagination is the limit - a tennis court; stables and a paddock; polytunnels or perhaps a home based business.

Thistle House has been designed and built to standards rarely seen in the UK. Built towards Passivhaus standards, Thistle House was completed in 2021. Core to the construction of this 512m2 home was to create a house that was robust, environmentally friendly, low maintenance and yet offering the highest quality possible in both finishings and construction. It is extremely rare for a house of this size to achieve a construction EPC of A.

The accommodation comprises:

Ground floor:  Entrance vestibule/Reception Hall/Dining room, dining/kitchen, formal sitting room/lounge, family sitting room, substantial bedroom with dressing room and en-suite bathroom, gym, utility room, boot room, shower, double garage and shed.

First floor: stunning open plan living space, three spacious ensuite bedrooms, substantial office/games room, plant room.

From an environmental point of view, the house has been designed to maximise solar gain with large, triple-glazed south-facing windows. Energy efficiency measures include solar panels and air source heat pumps partnered with thick walls and deep insulation to prevent heat loss.

The desire to create seamless interaction between indoors and outdoors is evident, with the floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the house with light and providing superb views across the adjacent land. Wildlife abounds in the outdoor spaces where deer, pheasants, ospreys and a multitude of other birds and animals can be viewed from the house.

The opportunity that the paddock, with running water, offers is limitless, with room for a poly tunnel and veg/fruit growing beds, a stable and turnout, livestock, a tennis court, play area or swimming pool, to name a few.

It is truly impossible to appreciate this property without visiting it in person.

Ground floor

Entering the magnificent reception hall from the vestibule, you are struck by the space and light from the wide south-facing windows and patio doors ahead, with wonderful 180-degree views over the fields and woods beyond. The reception area has exquisite, polished porcelain tile flooring, extending through the reception area into the kitchen. With a curved ceiling, pillars and a sweeping solid oak staircase, the flow to this room is quite remarkable.

As you approach the bespoke staircase, with a curved wooden handrail and glazed side panels, the lights inset to each riser light up automatically. At the top of the staircase is the stunning upper gallery, overlooking the reception hall, providing a peaceful upper sitting room from which to enjoy the views.

The open plan dining kitchen is perfect for both family meals and entertaining. Featuring an extensive range of base and wall units, the kitchen boasts an enviable range of high-quality integrated NEFF appliances including 2 heating drawers, oven, steam oven, integrated coffee maker, microwave, under counter fridge, induction hob and extractor fan, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. A "Quooker" tap ensures cold, hot or boiling water at any time. The wide L-shaped island is a chef's delight with an extensive array of under counter cabinets, a wine fridge and a wide work surface with lights above. A seating area for 6/7 is nestled into the crook of the L.

A full-height wall, with openings to either side, provides access from the dining kitchen into the beautiful snug/family sitting room. This lovely, triple aspect room has floor-to-ceiling windows on the gable wall and a glass door to the terrace, with Fakro windows inset to the ceiling. Little artwork is required as the 180-degree views provide a changing picture from every window, with automated blinds all round. A curved multi-fuel stove, set between the windows, with an exposed flue reaching to the ceiling, provides a cosy centrepiece to this comfortable room.

In addition to the reception area and family room, Thistle House offers a spacious triple aspect, formal sitting room with a feature, 1.2m, electric log flame fire.

Automated window blinds add a luxurious touch to aid the easy-living vibe running through this wonderful family home.

The spacious ground floor bedroom suite has a convenient ensuite dressing room with a door to the modern, high spec, wet room with floor to ceiling wall tiles.

The dressing room is fitted with a range of bespoke wardrobes and shelves. Fully tiled, the guest shower room features a WC and twin wash hand basins inset to fitted storage with a wide LED mirror above. A fabulous walk-in shower enclosure with glazed surround includes overhead rain shower head and a handheld shower.

Completing the ground floor accommodation, to the side of the kitchen, is the utility area, access to garage, boot room, gym and conveniently placed wet room for a post workout refresh. The utility area has raised NEFF washer and dryer, a built-in freezer and composite sink with multiple convenient sockets, while the gym provides a great room to work out at all times of year.

First floor

Central to the first floor and overlooking the reception hall below, the gallery is a superb space for either entertainment or relaxation. The triple-glazed, floor-to-ceiling windows flood this open space with light with the curved glass balconies providing unrestricted views across the surrounding countryside. A double door, deep airing cupboard provides great storage.

All three of the substantial bedrooms are triple-aspect and en suite (with floor to ceiling wall tiles). Two have large dressing areas with the third having 2 sets of double built-in wardrobes.

The games room/office is an incredible 13m x 4m with 7 high efficiency Fakro windows inset to the ceiling. A multi-purpose room offering enormous scope. There may be potential to split this into 2 or potentially 3 further rooms, create a superb home cinema, or an amazing large games room.

The plant room houses the CCTV monitoring system, the MVHR and burglar alarm system. As it is such a warm room, it is an excellent space for laundry.

Construction

Completed in 2021, Thistle House has been built towards Passivhaus standards, to specifications of construction rarely seen in the UK. Core to the construction was to create a house that was robust, environmentally friendly, low maintenance and yet offer the highest quality possible in both finishings and construction. It is extremely rare for a house of this size to achieve a construction EPC of A.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY aspects of the house include:

• heating via 2 air source heat pumps
• a 14-panel solar PV system
• MVHR (mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system)
• large south-facing, triple-glazed windows to maximise solar gain with smaller north-facing windows.
• Nordan Alu-clad and Fakro triple glazed windows throughout.
• deep walls and insulation

Both external and internal finishes are spectacular with Lindab Aluminium gutters and downpipes, solid oak curved staircase, polished porcelain flooring and an impressive range of Neff fitted goods throughout the kitchen/utility. The lighting throughout is of the highest quality with top range pendant and roof centre lights. The switches and sockets are brushed aluminium. All soffits & exterior panels are made from maintenance-free MDF board material.

The substantial double garage has 2 electric car charging stations, a tiled floor and skirting boards around. while the driveway boasts electric metal gates with ground level auto sensor driveway lights. A large shed is attached to the garage.

Running costs

The running costs of Thistle House are remarkably low for a house of this size, with utility costs running at less than £300/month substantially offset by the Renewable Heat Incentives of approximately £2,000 per year

Garden and Grounds

Situated within beautifully landscaped gardens, Thistle House has open views across farm and woodland. The property is accessed via an impressive, gravelled driveway, with lights to either side, through imposing electric, wrought iron electric gates to the large parking area to the front of the house. The grounds are low maintenance and offer a combination of artificial lawn and stone chipped areas with colourful flowers interspersed in pots around the property. Well established shrubs and seasonal flowering plants provide colour, while hedging and mature trees provide shelter and privacy with a number of opportunities for al fresco dining around the property. To the rear, a log/bin store is concealed behind a wall, while multiple external taps are convenient for keeping the garden watered.

The substantial paddock, separated from the gardens and accessed through a wooden double gate, is an incredible asset to this property. Well draining and completely enclosed with post and wire fencing, this approximately 2 acre paddock offers limitless potential. An opportunity for poly tunnels and aiming towards self sufficiency in this incredibly fertile growing area? A stable and paddock, with superb hacking opportunities through the forest just a stone's throw away? A private tennis court, swimming pool or huge play area?

Location

Thistle House is situated in a superb location on the edge of the Royal Burgh of Forres, just minutes from Altyre Estate, Loch of the Blairs and fabulous woodland walks, less than an hour from skiing in the Cairngorms, and a short drive from miles of white beaches at Findhorn. Just 1 mile from Forres railway station and a level walk into town, there is easy access to all local amenities. Dalcross International Airport at Inverness, approximately 16 miles from Thistle House, offers daily flights to London and other international destinations enabling working-from-home and commuting. Primary and Secondary schooling is available in Forres, where there is also the Drumduan Steiner School.

Approximate distances/times to key locations

Aviemore/A9: 50 mins drive

Forres High Street via a tarred path: 25 mins walk

Co-op/Dentist/bus stop/cafe/Fish van: 8 mins walk

Health Centre: 20 mins walk

Gordonstoun private school: approximately 12 miles away (daily buses)

Findhorn: 5 miles

Inverness airport: 25 miles

Aberdeen airport: 75 miles

Moray is home to some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery and lush landscapes. The coastal village of Findhorn sits on the Moray Coast, renowned for having a relatively mild climate and some of the highest levels of sunshine in the UK. Beautiful beaches and a number of renowned golf courses lie along the coast. Inland, the Spey Valley is an area best known for its stunning countryside, salmon fishing, malt whisky production and as a popular destination for those seeking activity and sporting holidays, including the Speyside Way long distance walking route, shooting and stalking on nearby estates, salmon fishing on the world-famous River Spey, as well as mountain biking, hillwalking and kayaking opportunities. Those who enjoy winter sports have access to the stunning Cairngorm mountain range.

Moray is known to enjoy an incredible microclimate making it one of the driest places in Scotland. Data shows that Moray has approximately 25% less rain than the average rainfall in England and more sun than in London, between November and March.

The A96 provides ease of access to Aberdeen, which lies approximately 75 miles away and Inverness, approximately 25 miles away. The international airports provide excellent transport links by air to London and other UK and international cities. There are regular rail services from both Inverness and Aberdeen, including a sleeper service. Inverness provides all the services expected of a major city, including business and leisure facilities, theatres, restaurants and a wide range of shopping.

Note: distances and measurements are approximate and should be verified by interested parties.