We have a greyhound. A very tall, long-nosed and lolloping greyhound. And, maybe this is just greyhounds or maybe it's the same for all big tall dogs, but snub-nosed little dogs just can't walk past him without having a go. Same on this morning's walk.
Of course Paddy ignores them but those little dogs, they just don't care that they're knee-high to him, that their head couldn't fill his mouth. Thank God dogs aren't humans with our capacity for cruelty and ambition and weapon-building.
But this morning's little and large encounter is the inspiration for today's post and my two property picks. Both in Scotland and one - and my apologies for this, with a deadline of tomorrow for offers.
Let's start with the greyhound-sized property.
Dunolly House is in Aberfeldy, in Perthshire. It sits off the A827, in a quiet area of mostly detached Victorian villas, backed by Aberfeldy's hills and the River Tay. Ed Sheeran wrote a very pretty song (with a very weird video) about it. Aberfeldy that is, not Dunolly House.
In October 2024, planning and listed building consents were given to turn it into eight apartments and some works have been done to that end. What's lovely about what has been done so far is that they've clearly tried to hang onto its best Victorian features. Here's some pictures.
See what I mean? Pretty impressive. The Rapunzel-esque tower has had a new roof, windows and gutters have had work, dry rot done, and general clearing and stripping back ready for work.
And of course, those eight apartment plans could be changed. Or you could build them and fill them with family and friends, or people who like greyhounds.
Outside is around half an acre of garden area, courtyard and parking.
On the market through Bell Ingram at offers over £360k. Details, more pictures and video on the agent's site here and on Rightmove here.
My pug dog sized choice is the one with the deadline.
Manish Church at Manish, on the Isle of Harris's coastline, is being sold by the Church of Scotland at offers over £50k.
Manish Church at Manish, on the Isle of Harris's coastline, is being sold by the Church of Scotland at offers over £50k.
B-listed (so more restrictive than Dunolly House's C-listing) and a few decades older dating from 1853. Manish church is one big, single storey chapel with a small vestry and a loo (accessed from outside - bracing!!). There's mains electricity and water, but no septic tank.
And obviously no planning permission in place at that price.
And obviously no planning permission in place at that price.
Unusually for a church sale it comes with more than its footprint in terms of land. There's a good size garden area around it and parking to the front, accessed from the road.
It's clearly been well cared for, the brochure (here) shows lots of well polished pews and hoovered carpets.
But it's the location that really blows you away (probably literally). Sitting at the tip of Loch Fleoideabhaigh as it heads out to sea, surrounded by Harris's hills and wild geology. And a handful of neighbours.
Here's as close as Google's cars went - the church is towards the end of this winding road.
Here's as close as Google's cars went - the church is towards the end of this winding road.
On the market at offers over £50k and subject to approval by church committees. If you're interested, you need a Scottish solicitor to send the CoS lawyers an email before noon on Friday (instructions in the brochure). More on the CoS site here and on Rightmove here.
Here's lolloping Paddy before I go. See you next Thursday : )
