Location

Old Aberdeen is a hidden gem in the northeast. Here, almost uniquely in Scotland, you can visit a medieval cathedral, a late medieval bridge and a late 15th century college. A small town that was independent from Aberdeen between 1489 and 1891, Old Aberdeen, situated on the northern edge of the city of Aberdeen, is largely a conservation area, and retains a wonderful sense of history and an intriguing mixture of architecture. It is rich in historic buildings: some, like St Machar's Cathedral, date from the Middle Ages, and there are many period buildings of the 18th to early 19th centuries, mostly built in the local grey granite which is famous for its silver sparkle on sunny days. The King's College campus of the University of Aberdeen is in Old Aberdeen, its buildings ranging from its 15th century chapel to the stunning new library by architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen, which opened in 2012. There is also a pub, range of shops and a bank. Seaton Park, with its hidden walled garden and numerous riverside walks, is within minutes of the property; a wide range of wildlife can be seen there including ducks, swans, herons, otters, seals, red squirrels and deer. The Donmouth beach is also nearby.

Situated relatively near to a main arterial route with an excellent local bus service, Aberdeen city centre is just minutes away and provides all the amenities expected from a modern city. There are numerous pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants, with a fantastic theatre, concert halls, art gallery and cinemas to enjoy. Aberdeen is renowned for its superb educational and recreational facilities; there are extensive indoor and outdoor activities all near the property. As well as the excellent bus services within the city, there are good links by air, rail and coach to places within Scotland, UK and further afield; with national and international flights being provided from Dyce International Airport. The main East Coast line operates from Aberdeen providing a link to Edinburgh, to the north of England and to London. ScotRail provides services throughout Scotland including to Glasgow, Perth and Inverness.

Description

Built around 1850, Don House is a wonderful B Listed townhouse set in about a third of an acre of beautifully laid out gardens. Rich in original features and period character, the property has been thoroughly refurbished and updated, and offers two main reception rooms and a kitchen on the ground floor; a further reception room on the first floor along with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and three more good sized double bedrooms and another bathroom on the top floor.

The spacious accommodation at Don House extends to three levels and is beautifully presented, creating a wonderfully welcoming and immaculately finished interior. Throughout the house, lovely 19th century details are evident, including large open fireplaces- complete with marble surrounds; working window shutters, attractive panelled ceilings, traditional cast iron radiators and oak doors. The reception rooms on the ground floor include an elegant drawing room and dining room, both with large windows framing views of the gardens and bringing in plenty of natural light. The drawing room has an exterior door leading into the garden.

The bright, well designed kitchen boasts hand crafted base and wall units which incorporate a breakfast bar and an impressive range cooker with gas hob, while French doors open into the pretty conservatory which brings the outdoors in. An inner hallway provides access to the cloakroom/WC and handy utility cupboard.

A fine original staircase leads to the first floor landing. Off here is the garden-facing principal bedroom which has an en suite shower room with contemporary oversized shower. Also on this level is a third reception room which is currently used as a very appealing snug/living room for cosy relaxation, but could easily be a further bedroom if preferred. The bedroom at the front is currently used as a study/home office. Adjacent to this room is a characterful bathroom with vintage-style freestanding roll top bath and wood panelling to dado height. On the second floor are three further delightfully decorated double bedrooms and another bathroom with a three piece white suite.

Outside: The house occupies a generous site of about a third of an acre with outer boundaries mainly marked by stone walls, timber fencing and established hedging. The entrance to Don House is flanked by granite pillars and leads into a gravel driveway with ample off street parking.

The linked walled gardens to the south of the house are a particular feature of the property and command a high degree of privacy and shelter from the well established trees including sycamore, holly and an ancient laburnum. The garden also features cherry, plum, lilac and bay trees plus colourful shrubs such as various clematis and a large selection of rhododendrons. There are richly planted, colourful herbaceous borders and an extensive expanse of lawn. A detached building houses a sauna.