Lot 1 - TillyfourAlford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8DX

Tillyfour is an exquisite Georgian house standing in a private position not only within the locality but also within the farm itself. The house enjoys a southerly aspect and fine views over the surrounding gardens and countryside beyond. It is approached from the main drive where a gated entrance leads to a sweeping, tree lined driveway where there is ample parking. A second back drive leads to the side of the house and the coach house.

The house is stone built with harled and painted walls beneath a pitched slate roof. In recent years the accommodation has been beautifully and sensitively refurbished to a very high standard. The period features have been preserved and restored while the owners have upgraded and re-configured the space for comfortable modern family living. The house retains much of its original charm with ceiling cornices, picture rails, timber floors and marble mantlepieces in the principal reception rooms. The accommodation is arranged over three floors, as shown on the accompanying layout plans and photographs.

The front door opens to a welcoming reception hall and from here the spacious accommodation flows. Of particular note is the dual aspect (south and west facing) drawing room which forms part of the west wing, a later addition to Tillyfour House, which was built ahead of Queen Victoria's visit to Tillyfour in 1868. The drawing room has an open fire and fine views of the surrounding gardens. A connecting door opens from the drawing room to the dining room.

A welcoming and stylish kitchen sits at the eastern end of the house offering plenty of space for socialising and informal entertaining. The kitchen has a range of hand painted, fitted wall and floor units which are complemented by a freestanding island unit and an electric four oven AGA. Off the kitchen there is a comfortable family room with wood burning stove. A recent addition to the house is the timber-clad boot room and separate utility room which is used as the day to day entrance to the house. Outside this entrance is an electric car charging point.

Garden and Grounds - A fine stone staircase leads from the hall to the first floor where the primary bedroom accommodation lies. There is a wonderfully spacious principal bedroom and a stunning contemporary bathroom with a double walk in shower and a freestanding roll top bath. Completing the accommodation on the first floor are three double bedrooms and another bathroom. A further stair leads to the second floor where there are two more bedrooms.

A short distance from the end of the house is a two storey former coach house. The ground floor with its charming arched doorways now provides useful garaging and storage. A set of external stone steps leads to a comfortable apartment or additional overflow accommodation comprising a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Situated between the house and coach house there is a sheltered courtyard and greenhouse ideal for alfresco entertaining.

The house is surrounded by well maintained gardens providing a most magnificent setting. Mature shrubs and trees surround the perimeter offering shelter and privacy. To the front of the house there is a generous stone terrace with steps leading to the south facing gardens intersected by a holly tree lined path. The lawns on either side are flanked by mature beds, beech hedges and magnificent rhododendrons which are particularly colourful in the late spring and early summer months.

To the east of the house there is a charming walled garden which can be utilised for the production of fruit and vegetables or cut flowers for the house. To the rear of the house there is a further area of lawn and gravel sweep providing ample parking.

Beyond the gardens there is a 2 acre paddock known as the Bull Field. The name derives from Queen Victoria's visit when the bulls were paraded for her viewing.

Land - Lot 1 extends to a total of 735 acres and comprises 548 acres of arable and temporary pasture land, 97 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing and 73 acres of woodland. All enclosures can be utilised for grazing and the vast majority can also be used for the production of silage and cereal crops. All fields are fenced and have a combination of water troughs or natural water supplies. The internal farm tracks are also fenced which allows for easy movement of stock to and from the centrally located steading.

The farmland is classified by the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research as Class 3(2) and 4(1) and rises from 190m above sea level to 300m above sea level. The soils are of the Tarves series which comprise brown forest soils and some humous iron podzols which are well suited for arable and permanent pasture.