It's just started to snow as I type this. Flimsy flakes drifting down, replacing the morning's ice-cold drizzle. Let's go to Scotland.
This handsome manse is one of two I've picked out from the Church of Scotland's property listing. They may be on the pricier side to my usual renovation picks, but the size of the properties and their west coast locations make them beautiful bargains.
The Manse at Appin, above and below, is on the Argyll coast between Oban and Fort William. It's Grade C listed, with lovely big rooms and lots of period details.
Four bedrooms plus bathroom upstairs; two reception rooms, kitchen and utility downstairs, plus a third room and shower room as potential granny flat or guest suite.
There are gardens on all sides, plus garage and parking - and those gorgeous open views.
On the market at offers over £320k. Details and more pictures here and here and pdf here.
My second manse pick is in an equally lovely location on the Isle of Gigha, off the Kintyre penisula. I'm a massive fan of this whole area of Scotland, Local Hero is one of my favourite films (an annual family Christmas watch) and regular readers will already know how much I love Mull.
And I love the concept of an island owned by its residents.
The manse is just outside Ardminish, Gigha's village and ferry port. On a smaller plot of land compared to the manse at Appin, and with more renovation to do (and fewer connected services), but none-the-less a big, handsome building in a gorgeous bit of Britain.
On the market through Church of Scotland property at offers over £265k. Details and more pictures here and here and pdf here.
My third pick is a former manse, built in the 1820s and owned by the same family since 1943.
Situated close to breathtaking Clachan Sands on North Uist, it's the most remote of my choices - and also the cheapest.
The Manse at Trumisgarry Glebe makes up for its remote and rather windswept-looking location with possibly the liveliest approach to pattern matching I've seen.
Definitely an old-lady gone house but a lady I would have loved to have met!
Set in large gardens, The Manse has three bedrooms upstairs, a downstairs bathroom and downstairs shower room, plus two large reception rooms, kitchen, hall and storerooms. The layout's a bit higgledy piggedley but lots of potential.
On the market through Skye Property Centre at offers over £140k. Details and more pictures here.
