Historic schoolhouse in Scotland's Unesco Flow Country for sale for £120k
Found in the northeastern tip of Scotland, the home is now part of the Caithness village of Altnabreac, whose name derives from Allt nam Breac or 'stream of the trout' in Gaelic.
The village sits within the Flow County, which was awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in 2024 for its 9000-year-old blanket bog landscape. Home to a distinctive mix of bird species, the Flow Country is considered a key example of a blanket bog in the world.
READ MORE: Plans submitted to remove 34 turbines from Highland wind farm
Altnabreac's schoolhouse closed in 1986 and has been used as a private home ever since. The two-floor residence is built from stone, with a red brick extension that sits under a slate roof.
It features two bedrooms, a family room, kitchen, bathroom, storage space, a rear hall and a versatile former schoolroom, and is located within 0.62 acres of grounds that benefit from stores including a generator.
The village is served by Altnabreac railway station on the Far North Line which reopened in April.
Altnabreac Station first opened in 1874 and the reason for the station's construction is a mystery with it then being around 10 miles from the nearest road.
Caithness more broadly is known for its long, sandy beaches and steep cliffs, and is well-loved by birdwatchers and hikers alike.
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Highlanders are rallying against Scotland's energy land grab
The property is located just 23 miles south of Thurso, mainland Britain's northernmost town.
A few miles east of Thurso is the Castle of Mey, the former royal residence of The Queen Mother and is open to visitors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Historic schoolhouse in Scotland's Unesco Flow Country for sale for £120k
Found in the northeastern tip of Scotland, the home is now part of the Caithness village of Altnabreac, whose name derives from Allt nam Breac or 'stream of the trout' in Gaelic. The village sits within the Flow County, which was awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in 2024 for its 9000-year-old blanket bog landscape. Home to a distinctive mix of bird species, the Flow Country is considered a key example of a blanket bog in the world. READ MORE: Plans submitted to remove 34 turbines from Highland wind farm Altnabreac's schoolhouse closed in 1986 and has been used as a private home ever since. The two-floor residence is built from stone, with a red brick extension that sits under a slate roof. It features two bedrooms, a family room, kitchen, bathroom, storage space, a rear hall and a versatile former schoolroom, and is located within 0.62 acres of grounds that benefit from stores including a generator. The village is served by Altnabreac railway station on the Far North Line which reopened in April. Altnabreac Station first opened in 1874 and the reason for the station's construction is a mystery with it then being around 10 miles from the nearest road. Caithness more broadly is known for its long, sandy beaches and steep cliffs, and is well-loved by birdwatchers and hikers alike. READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: Highlanders are rallying against Scotland's energy land grab The property is located just 23 miles south of Thurso, mainland Britain's northernmost town. A few miles east of Thurso is the Castle of Mey, the former royal residence of The Queen Mother and is open to visitors.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
I stayed in the VERY affordable Eastern European town King Charles is obsessed with – it cost just £60 a night
One particular village, Viscri, has had an extraordinary turnaround thanks to Charles' presence... and we also reveal where the King prefers to stay these days HOL YEAH I stayed in the VERY affordable Eastern European town King Charles is obsessed with – it cost just £60 a night Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S not the Count that counts in Transylvania. The King's the thing. Our king. I first heard of Transylvania, as many do, via Count Dracula. The place is so mythical that it hovers above the map, somewhere between fact and fiction, but it does really exist - in modern day Romania. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Andrew posing next to a post box in the HRH house in Viscri, a traditional village in Transylvania, Romania 11 Inside a typical Saxon house 11 A tasty breakfast at the King's Retreat in Zalanpatak 11 The stunning King's guesthouse at Zalanpatak This (entirely vampire-free) land is a mosaic of sleepy traditional villages wreathed in mountains and forest. It's a storybook place of haymaking with scythes, of horse-and-cart transport, of bears in the woods, and of homemade plum brandy strong enough to blow your socks off. While the rest of Europe is struggling with more concrete and more speed, Transylvania is still cloaked in a meditative serenity. It is not a place for motorways or spa hotels, so the inner peace is deafening. For King Charles, highly attuned to everything organic, this harmonious balance between man and nature is a spa for the soul. He first came here in 1998, and was so entranced that he invested in property and agreed to become the patron of the Mihai Eminescu Trust (MET), which was formed to try to preserve its village houses. Since then he has returned over 20 times, and Transylvania was his first overseas trip after becoming king. His interest has made Romanians themselves start to treasure their rural areas. His presence has transformed one village in particular, and I was there last week. It's a settlement called Viscri, originally of mostly Saxon (German-speaking) people who first arrived here way back in the 12th century. Many of Viscri's pastel-painted houses carry the MET motif, and I booked one of them, via the MET's rental business, Experience Transylvania. Number 129 turned out to be a simple property that sleeps four, with bare wooden floors, decoratively painted furniture, handwoven blankets, and wood burning stoves, for £58 a night. Out back is an orchard with cattleshed and haybarn, enough for the original family to be self-sufficient. King Charles owns a property in Transylvania and you can stay there Just down the road, my neighbour HRH's house is at number 163. It's the same layout as mine (and all the others in the village) but immaculately renovated. When he first bought it, the then Prince would overnight here, but Viscri has simply become too busy these days. That's partly because of the Unesco-designation of its magnificent fortified church, one of half a dozen in these Saxon villages, but mostly because of him. So he opened the house up to the public instead, using it to explain his connection to Transylvania and showcasing its wonderfully diverse flora. Meanwhile the village itself has had an extraordinary turnaround. The taxi driver who brought me here described it as 'the most famous village in Transylvania'. Because of him. When I meet Caroline Fernolend, president of the MET, who lives in Viscri, she agrees that 'his contribution has been enormous. Romanians didn't appreciate this kind of rural tourism before him.' Two very memorable guest experiences in an unexpected corner of Europe At the end of the Communist era, country villages were depopulated and dilapidated. Today, the young families are back in Viscri, there are no fewer than seven restaurants, and Charles has even funded its (highly ecological) sewage system. 'When he visits, he always asks, 'what can I do to help?'' says Caroline. 11 Andrew standing in the doorway of the King's house in Viscri 11 A typical Saxon village in Transylvania 11 A horse and cart transport in Viscri Credit: Andrew Eames Tourists like me are here in increasing numbers, too, but there are still horses and carts, the family cows still bring themselves back from the meadows in the evening. There are storks' nests on chimneystacks, the main street is unpaved and there's a magnificent view from the church tower across the rooftops to the bear-rich woodlands. Viscri doesn't feel overrun, but these days Charles prefers to stay in his other property, in a Hungarian origin village called Zalanpatak, about 50 miles east. 'Old school hospitality' This village is not nearly as handsome as Viscri, and it doesn't have any magnificent churches, but it is hidden up a secluded green valley so I can see why he likes it. His property here has been converted from a traditional farmstead, and when Charles isn't in residence, its seven bedrooms operate as an upmarket guest house, with handpainted and antique Transylvanian furniture. There's a lofty dining room where everyone sits down together over a set dinner of uncompromisingly traditional food. It's sociable and companiable, and the day I was there, most of the other guests were well-educated city-dwelling Romanians, motivated partly by curiosity. And if you're lucky, as I was, Charles' friend and fixer in Romania, Count Tibor Kalnoky, will be there too, as host. In the absence of HRH himself, the Count brings a touch of gracious, old school hospitality to the table. So there you have it. Two very memorable guest experiences in an unexpected corner of Europe. And in an era where holiday homes are increasingly accused of destroying local communities, it's a pleasure to discover that one particular holiday home owner has had quite the opposite effect. 11 The main house at Zalanpatak 11 A breathtaking fortified church, Viscri Credit: Andrew Eames 11 A stunning view from the fortified church, Viscri 11 Andrew in the garden of Number 129 in Viscri
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Stirling: The surprising Scottish city named the best for culture with highest number of bookshops per capita
The study, by LNER, analysed the number of museums, theatres, historic sites, UNESCO listings, art and music events and bookshops Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is home to seven museums and the iconic Wallace Monument, alongside thriving arts venues including The Albert Halls and the Tolbooth, which hosts live music, theatre, and comedy. Now Stirling has been named the best Scottish city for culture with the highest number of bookshops per head, one of the highest volumes of art and music events per capita and a string of "diverse and high-quality museums". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The study, commissioned by train company LNER, analysed 71 towns and cities across England and Scotland across five travel themes: family-friendly, sustainability, culture, outdoor experiences, and food. It praised Stirling for its 'walkable' size, as well as its 'fairytale skyline and deep historical roots'. David Flesher, commercial director at LNER, said: 'When you're choosing where to go, it's not always easy to know what a city is really best at — especially if you're trying to plan something special. This research helps take out the guesswork and shows what different places have to offer. 'We hope this guide helps people make more informed choices, whether they're planning a day trip or a longer summer break. There are so many brilliant destinations on our route, and this is just one more way to celebrate them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish city named the best for culture. | stirling Drawing on data from sources such as the Theatres Trust, Companies House and Unesco, the study considered a wide range of factors, including the number of museums, theatres, historic sites, Unesco listings, art and music events and bookshops. All data points were then adjusted for population and weighted to produce a final ranking out of 100. Historic university city Cambridge won the culture accolade in England. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The other accolade winners Separately, Aberdeen was named the best in Scotland for sustainability, Falkirk was named most family-friendly, while Edinburgh was the best for foodies and Inverness was ranked first for the outdoors. The study said: 'From ancient landmarks to cutting-edge exhibitions, the UK is full of places that celebrate culture in all its forms. Whether you're into theatre, literature, live music, or wandering around world-class museums, the best cultural destinations offer something to spark every imagination.' It said Stirling, which is home to annual crime writing festival Bloody Scotland, was 'mighty' in terms of cultural impact. The report said: 'With its fairytale skyline and deep historical roots, Stirling is a city where Scotland's story comes vividly to life. It may be small in size, but it's mighty when it comes to cultural impact. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With one of the highest numbers of museums, bookshops, historic sites and events per capita in Scotland, this historic city is a cultural powerhouse packed into a walkable, picturesque setting.'
