Letterfourie, Drybridge, Moray, AB56

Lovingly refurbished Robert Adam mansion house overlooking the stunning Moray coast

Description

DESCRIPTION
Letterfourie is a most attractive compact estate with an exceptional principal house surrounded by landscaped gardens and policy woodlands. Extending to about 308 acres, the estate occupies an enviable position surrounded by gently rolling and picturesque countryside with the backdrop of the Moray coastline to the north. Situated at the heart of the estate lies Letterfourie House, surrounded by its splendid gardens and policy woodlands, with its productive farmland beyond, protecting both the privacy and uninterrupted views. The Burn of Letterfourie runs through a wooded dell which forms the southern boundary of the estate. Approached by a private driveway from the north, Letterfourie House is an impressive Category A listed Robert Adam mansion house of significant architectural merit which has been revived following a decade of sympathetic and talented restoration. Internally, the house has been painstakingly appointed and decorated to create the most fabulous period house fit for contemporary living.

LETTERFOURIE HOUSE
Approached through black iron entrance gates, the tarred drive leads up through the wooded policies culminating in a gravelled sweep at the front of the house. Four shallow stone steps lead to the portico with its flanking Corinthian columns oversailing a lower ground passageway (known colloquially as The Moat) which is protected by spear headed railings and thence to the double front doors with external light above.
The front doors open into a beautiful black marble inset flagstone floored entrance hall with an impressive stone cantilever staircase to the first and second floors. Both the Drawing Room and the Dining Room lead directly off the Entrance Hall and boast large astragal windows looking south directly over the elaborate double keyhole water feature and fountains. Both reception rooms have beautiful open fireplaces, working window shutters and ornate cornicing.
Off the hall there is a cosy study with woodburning stove leading to a stylish kitchen offering plenty of space for socialising and informal entertaining. The bespoke kitchen, installed by Plain English, has custom built fitted wall and floor units which are complemented by a freestanding island unit and a five oven AGA. Through the kitchen in the eastern wing there is a morning room, sitting room and pantry style kitchen.
To the west of the entrance hall there is a well equipped pantry, cloakroom with W.C, further W.C., sitting room, office and laundry room. The lower ground floor houses the boiler room, wine cellars, workshop and stores.
Each of the wings have kitchens installed and could be converted to provide additional accommodation. In the western wing is the former chapel with impressive arched vaulted ceilings, full length round headed windows with intersecting astragals and original wooden floor. The chapel can be accessed by a separate entrance and has two cloakrooms. On the first floor, there are two further south facing reception rooms: the upper drawing room and the library, both of which have open fireplaces and benefit from lovely views over the surrounding estate and Moray Coast. The upper drawing room features hand painted Chinese wallpaper hung in 1800. The drawing room features an impressive ornate ceiling and cornice. In the west wing there is a bedroom suite with its own sitting room, two bedrooms and bathroom which are perfectly suited for guest accommodation being accessed via the western staircase. There are a further five bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor. The second floor has been remodelled to create the principal bedroom suite with a south facing bedroom, a large ensuite bathroom and extensive dressing room. The third floor above offers two attic rooms and bathroom.

GARDEN AND GROUNDS
The house is surrounded by well-maintained gardens providing a most magnificent setting and outlook. Mature shrubs and trees surround the perimeter offering shelter and privacy. The trees in the parkland to the south include horse chestnut, aspen, elm, plain and copper beech, together with Western Hemlock, larch, sweet chestnut, Norway Spruce and beech along the drive. To the north, interspersed with banks of rhododendrons are some fine trees including Cedar of Lebanon, Douglas Fir, elm, holly, yew and Scots Pine.
Central to the house within the formal gardens are the Letterfourie fountains which date from the early to mid 19th century. The fountains have been fully refurbished by the current owners and form an idyllic setting for the house. With over one million bulbs planted in recent years, the gardens at Letterfourie come alive in the Spring with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. Surrounding the fountains, the formal lawns have been grown intentionally long to enhance the biodiversity restricting mowing to pathways alone.
Lying on the east side of the house there is an impressive hedge lined avenue leading to a newly created orchard consisting of specimen apple, pear and plum trees. Beyond the gardens to the south east, on the site of a former tennis court, lies an aviary which is home to a range of rare breed birds including peacocks, guinea fowl, moorhens which roam the policies of Letterfourie.

FARMLAND
In total the land extends to approximately 308 acres and comprises 167 acres of arable or temporary pasture land and 139 acres of woodland/rough grazing. There are six enclosures which are all fenced and have a combination of water troughs or natural water supplies. The fields either have access directly from the public road or via internal estate tracks. The land is currently utilised and farmed under contract by a local farmer providing agricultural services.

ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES
Situated to the west of Letterfourie House, adjacent to the public road, lies Puttingbrae Steading. This former farmhouse with stone built outbuildings (now in a delipidated state) occupies an elevated position with exceptional views towards the coastline and offers significant potential for conversion to residential, commercial or a number of alternative uses (subject to gaining the necessary planning permissions). Historically the site has benefited from permission for conversion to residential use but these permissions have now lapsed.

Location

Letterfourie has an desirable position situated 3 miles from the Moray Firth coastline. A private and secluded estate, Letterfourie occupies a sheltered position on the northside of Black Hill. The surrounding landscape is typified by its striking coastline and undulating farmland. The area is renowned for its milder climate, low rainfall and its production of malting barley which supplies many whisky distilleries in the region.

The nearby towns of Fochabers and Buckie provide a host of services including supermarkets, garage, doctors surgery and dentist as well as primary schooling. Scenic boat trips from Buckie Harbour can be arranged to spot the famous Moray Firth dolphins.

The county town of Elgin (18 miles) offers a wider range of everyday services, with supermarkets and a selection of independent retailers as well as banks, hospital, primary and secondary schooling. Private schooling is available at Gordonstoun (private co-educational, day and boarding) which lies 23 miles to the west.

The area has excellent communications. The A96 lies only 6 miles to the east which is the main road connecting Inverness (57 miles) and Aberdeen (65 miles). Both cities offer domestic and international flights as well as a daily direct railway service to London including a sleeper train. More locally the train can be taken from Huntly and Keith to either city.

Moray is a popular tourist destination for both the domestic and international market. Famous for its rich history in food and whisky production, it is home to over half of the distilleries in Scotland. The area is also known for its field sports including driven pheasant and partridge days. There are a number of well managed grouse moors close by with stalking also available. The nearby River Spey offers renowned salmon and sea trout fishing.

Letterfourie is well positioned to access a wealth of walking, hiking and cycling opportunities, including those offered along the Moray Coastline and Cairngorms National Park that attract many national and international visitors to the region each year. Away from the hills, there are numerous golf courses in the county with a two local courses at Buckie (Buckpool and Strathlene) and other courses at Cullen, Banff, Spey Bay, Garmouth and Macduff.




Acreage: 308 Acres

Directions

From Aberdeen take the A96 north to Keith. Proceed through Keith and after 1.5 miles turn right onto the B9016, signposted to Buckie. After some 6.5 miles turn right onto the A98, again signposted for Buckie. Continue for 2.6 miles and then turn right, signposted Drybridge, opposite the A942 turning for Buckie. Continue on this road for 1.4 miles and the turning into Letterfourie depicted by the black iron gates will be seen on the right.

From Inverness take the A96 through Elgin to Fochabers and then take the A98. After some 7 miles turn right, signposted Drybridge, opposite the A942 turning for Buckie, and proceed as above.

The postcode for sat nav purposes is AB56 5JP

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Additional Info

HISTORICAL NOTE
Letterfourie, meaning "the slope of the hill where the springs are," was once part of the Earldom of Enzie. In 1476, it passed to the Earls of Huntly through the marriage of George Gordon, second Earl of Huntly, and Elizabeth Hay. In 1513, George Gordon gave Letterfourie to his youngest son, James Gordon, Admiral of Scotland.

In the 17th century, the Gordon family faced several controversies. The third laird was imprisoned in 1636 for conspiracy, and the fourth laird was imprisoned in 1647 by General David Leslie. The house was burnt by Covenanters. The fifth laird, John Gordon, supported by James VII, and his brother Alexander, a Jacobite, fled after fighting at Culloden but later returned.

James Gordon, sixth laird, commissioned Robert Adam to design a new mansion in 1772. Robert Adam's original drawings for Letterfourie House are held at the Adam Archive at Sir John Soane’s Museum in London. The house, built of pinkish granite, features a central block with two wings forming a U-plan court. Notable interior features include a marble chimneypiece, Spanish mahogany doors, and original window shutters.

After James died unmarried in 1790, the house passed to his brother Alexander, who completed the wings as designed by Robert Adam, and then to Alexander’s son James. The house, a Roman Catholic safe house during the Act of Proscription, has remained largely unchanged since 1806. It includes a chapel in the West Wing.

Letterfourie House and its garden pond are category A listed. Charles McKean praised its setting and the nearby Craigmin Bridge, also category A listed. The estate was bought by new owners in 2014 has undergone significant refurbishment.