Mill House, Mills of Earn, by Auchterarder, Crieff, Perthshire Offers in the region of £775,000

Situation

Mills of Earn is a small group of dwellings in a peaceful and secluded situation between Crieff and Auchterarder. Mill House has a prime position set amidst farmland on the hillside overlooking the River Earn.
Crieff and Auchterarder have excellent amenities with a good range of independent shops and medical facilities. Furthermore, Crieff has superb leisure facilities including the popular Crieff Hydro while Auchterarder is famed for Gleneagles Hotel. Gleneagles, recognised as one of the best hotels in Scotland and known internationally for its golf courses, will host the Ryder Cup in 2014. There are many other facilities at Gleneagles including a Spa and Leisure Club, Equestrian School, Shooting and Fishing School and a School of Falconry. The area is well placed for access to the Highlands and its associated recreation including hill walking, mountaineering and skiing. Loch Earn (20 miles) is a popular destination for water sports and fishing, shooting and stalking can all be taken in the area
Mill House lies within easy driving distance of Edinburgh and Glasgow and their airports, with fast links via the A9 and motorway network. There is a railway station at Gleneagles (6 miles) with a sleeper service direct to London, and a railway station at Dunblane (18 miles) with commuter services to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Both Crieff and Auchterarder have well equipped nursery, primary and secondary schools. There is also an excellent choice of private schooling in the area. Morrison’s Academy and Ardvreck (prep school) are located in Crieff. Strathallan, Kilgraston (girls only), Dollar Academy and Glenalmond are all within 20 miles.

Description

Mill House is a spacious and bright bespoke property, completed in 2007. It is constructed in a traditional style and is finished to a very high standard. The property has a pretty façade overlooking the River Earn with the master bedroom suite opening onto a balcony. The walls are clad in a contrast of render and stone under a pitched slate roof. The windows are all timber, double glazed, astragal units with a tilt and turn mechanism. There are a number of Velux windows on the first floor which supplement the dormer windows. The large, mostly lawned garden also has a paved patio and fine herbaceous borders.

Accommodation

Mill House is entered from the parking area to the side of the property via a main door into a vestibule leading to a spacious hall. Solid oak timber flooring runs throughout the ground floor with the exception of the carpeted sitting room and drawing room. All the rooms are accessed from this reception hall.
Double doors lead into the kitchen which has been fitted out with a bespoke painted timber floor and wall units finished with a midnight granite worktop and a cream gas-fired three oven Aga. The generous island unit has a Belfast sink and there is a secondary washing up area to the side. There are two integrated dishwashers, an American style fridge freezer, a warming drawer and combination microwave. A glazed sliding door opens to the parking area and on the opposite side of the kitchen a door leads through to the Sidey conservatory. The conservatory is a wonderful suntrap and has a ceramic tiled floor and heating. It opens onto a sheltered patio. The utility room is next to the kitchen and in addition to the washing machine and tumble dryer it also houses the Worcester central heating boiler and hot water cylinder. There is an understair cupboard with useful hanging space next to the downstairs WC.
Three rooms occupy the front of the house. Each has glazed French doors which open onto the garden. The sitting room is an informal cosy den with its own verandah and next to this is a well proportioned dining room. The doors from the dining room open lead down stone steps into the garden. The drawing room is perfect for entertaining. It is has windows on three sides and a fireplace surrounded by a simple limestone mantelpiece provides a focal point. Making the most of the beautiful river views, a decked verandah runs the length of this bright and comfortable room.
The spacious first floor landing is approached by a carpeted staircase leading from the reception hall. The master bedroom is particularly impressive, with a dressing area to one side and a further built in wardrobe and large shower room to the other. It opens onto a south facing balcony with a stunning vista over the river and landscape beyond. There is also a study and two further double bedrooms, one of which has an en suite bathroom with bath and separate shower, wash basin and WC. Both these bedrooms have built in wardrobes. The family bathroom has a bath, WC, wash basin and separate shower cubicle. All three bathrooms have under floor heating and a heated towel rail.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
Mill House has a large garden which wraps around the property. It is defined by a five bar post and rail fence with leylandii hedging and honeysuckle. A pair of Irish Yews stand either side of a cattle grid at the entrance to the property. An asphalt drive sweeps left to the double garage and parking area and also to the front of the house.
The detached garage has rendered walls under a pitched slate roof. In addition to housing two cars and a tool shed, it is fitted out with adequate plumbing and electricity supply should the building be adapted to provide first floor accommodation, as permitted in the original planning consent (07/02148/ERECT).
Next to the garage are the LPG gas tank and an Alton greenhouse. A paved path runs around the back of the house from here to the patio which has a large outdoor seating and dining area. Beyond a rose trellis and archway the lawn runs down the bank and around the front of the house, with an uninterrupted view down to the River Earn.

Directions

From Edinburgh and Glasgow, take the M9 north to Stirling and continue on the A9 to Auchterarder. Entering Auchterarder from the west on the A824, proceed into the town centre and turn left from the High Street onto Hunter Street, signposted Crieff (B8062. Continue on this road for about 4 miles. Shortly after crossing the River Earn at Kinkell Bridge, turn left down to Mills of Earn. Mill House is the first house on the left.
From Perth, on the A9, take the A824 turning, proceed through Aberuthven and turn right onto the Mennieburn Road. After about 2 miles turn right onto the B8062. Cross the river and turn left down to Mills of Earn.