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Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Press and Journal
Catriona and Richard's incredible home makeover near Aboyne
Who: Catriona Elson and her husband Richard, who have just acquired the Braemar Gallery. They share their home with their dogs Percy and Dolly. Their children Georgie and Robert grew up there but have since flown the nest. What: A traditional four-bedroom period property with a two-bedroom cottage located within the garden grounds. Where: A quiet spot in Birse on the edge of Aboyne just a short walk to the Boat Inn and the village. . 'We purchased the property on a cold, February day 24 years ago. Richard and I were visiting a family home in Aboyne and saw the 'for sale' sign. We fell in love with South Manse straight away as Richard loved the land while for me, the house was somewhere I wanted to bring up my children. For us, we both had a wonderful feeling about the property especially as it was well loved by the previous owner. At the time, we were moving up from the Henley on Thames area. Everyone thought we were completely mad as we bought the house before we had sold our own in Oxfordshire. But I had family in Peterhead and Aberdeen and Richard, who was originally from West Berkshire, loved Scotland and Aberdeenshire so that was it. It was a crazy time but we sold our house in Oxfordshire and made the move to Aberdeenshire. Arriving at the South Manse in early Spring was a joy and my lovely friends Steve and Shar helped move us in. In terms of history, the property was previously owned by a retired vet and before that Miss Wishart who was the last minister's daughter who was apparently quite a character. The house is such a happy place and we have had children playing and laughing in the gardens since they were babies. With all of the land the kids ran around making camps, climbing trees and enjoyed Easter egg hunts in the woods. We also kept lots of animals including hens. They were the best especially one called Rose who came into the kitchen to lay her daily egg. The property also enjoys beautiful views overlooking Morven and down the Dee Valley while the river and village can be seen from the upstairs windows. Set in three acres of land, South Manse is the main house. Inside, there are four bedrooms, three receptions rooms and a kitchen. Built around 1837, the property was a Manse for the Church until the 1980s. In terms of interiors, they have been updated with the help of Leonie Bosher, my friend who is an interior designer. With my love of antiques, art and interior design the South Manse and Coo Hoose were a dream to decorate. We wanted to create a family space which was homely but with formal spaces with high ceilings in the sitting room and dining room. I adore wallpapers so many rooms have fun twists on more traditional styles. Some of my favourite designer wallpaper brands are Cole and Son, Barneby Gates and House of Hackney. In terms of paint, we used Farrow & Ball. Some of the shades we used included 'mizzle' for the front door, 'green smoke' for the hall and 'pigeon' in the kitchen. For the woodwork, we used 'strong white' which has a tiny touch of grey so it's a lovely soft white. In the bedrooms and bathroom we used 'cornforth' and 'skimming stone'. For all the bathrooms and kitchen, we used beautiful handmade tiles from a company called Fired Earth. In the country kitchen we used handmade Bastide French solid oak with complementing black lava polished work surfaces which works well with the cream Aga range cooker. Thirteen years ago, we decided to convert the steading/barn which was in danger of falling down. We transformed it into a two-bedroom annex where friends and family could stay. After a time we started running the property as The Coo Hoose, a very successful self-catering business. It was designed by Andrew Keir, a local architect and friend, who did an outstanding job as he managed to convert the property into a wonderful quiet spot full of light and warmth. Interior designer Leonie Bosher also helped with all the interiors and with the finishing touches. Now it's a wonderful open plan living area for guests to enjoy. Life now takes us to Braemar where we've decided to put down roots. We have also just acquired the Braemar Gallery and with my background in art, antiques, design and retail, that will help enormously. I have huge shoes to fill as the present owners have done an amazing job creating a wonderful business for us to inherit and take forward. As a collaborator, Leonie Bosher will also be bring her unique inspiration to the business. She has worked on many UK and international properties- both residential and hotels – and was a finalist in the prestigious SBID Awards, for her work on The Draycott development in London. So 24 years after moving to South Manse and the Coo Hoose, it's time to hand the house over to the next lucky person who can enjoy taking the house to the next level. Whoever lives here will absolutely love it. It's been a joy to live here as we have lovely neighbours and a garden full of wildlife with plenty of space for children to play. Our children have sadly left the nest and I have just recovered from Breast Cancer so it's time to make a change. We have exciting times ahead.' South Manse and Coo Hoose, Birse, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, is on the market for offers over £950,000. To arrange a viewing, check out the website And if you enjoyed this story, you may also like: Couple turn Tomatin home into dream house after amazing makeover French couple put their historic Braemar home on the market for £395,000
The Herald Scotland
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish village inn dating from 1720 put up for sale
Cornerstone Business Agents is marketing the Boat Inn, Aboyne, on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire. Bar and restaurant. (Image: Cornerstone Business Agents) The agent said: 'Our clients have transformed the property and created a robust and much admired licensed business. With the valued assistance of their dedicated team of staff, the owners have positioned the business as one of the best licensed businesses in the north east. 'This is significantly noteworthy as both of our clients bought the business in 2013 as first-time entrants into the trade. Sales have continued to show consolidation and growth, yet there is still headroom in trading potential for new owners to exploit. In terms of trading style, the business can be best be described as a traditional 'English-style' village inn located in Royal Deeside – in short, it is everything you want a good village pub to be.' READ MORE: 'It has not been an easy decision' says owner as landmark hotel goes on market Landmark hotel in same family for seven generations for sale from administration The agent also said: 'The Boat Inn boasts a solid trading mix, with sales broken down as follows: food 51% wet 25% accommodation 24%. The Boat Inn offers a wide menu, with a credible focus on locally sourced produce, using the very best of the rich Aberdeenshire larder. 'Our clients offer breakfast, brunch, tasty lunches including sandwiches and sharing boards to an extensive full menu with pub classics and contemporary favourites. 'The Shed public bar is located at the rear of the restaurant and can either be accessed through the building or separately by a side entrance.' The site has three electric vehicle charging points. The inn has 16 rooms and the freehold is on the market at £2.3 million.
North Wales Live
23-04-2025
- North Wales Live
The world-class pub by a river in an underrated corner of Wales and you can get to it by canoe
If you fancy a proper pub visit with some character, paddle to The Boat Inn at Penallt. Straddling the Welsh side of the Wye Valley, this charming riverside boozer has serious charm. Named 30 as one of the cosiest pubs in the UK by the Financial Times, this is a "pub for all seasons", and when it's sunny, you can get there by canoe and take in the view from the hillside gardens. Here's why you should grab a paddle and float down to the Boat Inn this spring. The riverside pub is in the Wye Valley, a hugely underrated destination. Bordering England and Wales, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features similar rolling countryside, attractive market towns, and hiking trails but with fewer crowds. One of the area's most natural features is the flowing River Wye. This meandering river begins in Plynlimon in mid-Wales and flows south, becoming part of Wales and England's border and eventually meeting the Severn. You'll find plenty of walks, country pubs and watersports along the river to keep you occupied. Gently paddling down the river is a unique way to experience the beautiful scenery of the Wye Valley, spot wildlife, and get a great core muscle workout between riverside pub stops. Numerous outdoor companies in the area offer guided canoe and paddleboard trips down the River Wye. Many trips include camping or visiting riverside villages and pubs. You can also hire a canoe and captain your own vessel on a river pub crawl or camping expedition. Several pubs along the River Wye are a welcome rest spot if you're paddling up the river on an epic canoe or kayak trip. The Boat Inn is one of the best spots for a pint by the water and offers local ales and river views. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The Financial Times said of the Boat Inn, "In frost or rain, thick stone walls and log burners help keep drinkers warm and dry inside, where they can sit with dog-swaddled legs nursing a pint of Butty Bach, perhaps taking in one of the monthly folk music sessions." "What other pub allows you to park in one country and cross a bridge to take a drink in another?" Built in 1650 from local stone, it has history in spades – and a fan in none other than Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. It's got a bit of rock 'n' roll soul. Getting there is also very much part of the fun. You'll cross an old iron railway bridge – the very one that made a cameo in Sex Education. It once carried steam trains between Chepstow and Monmouth, but these days, it leads you straight to a cracking pint and a riverside view. Right on the riverbank are a handful of picnic tables where you can watch the Wye drift past, along with ducks, paddleboarders, and the occasional soggy dog. There's also a garden that climbs up the hillside, complete with a terrace and a waterfall trickling down the rock face. Bring your sunnies – it's a prime perch on a sunny afternoon. Inside, it's snug and welcoming, with a single cosy room centred around a roaring fire. There aren't many tables, so if you bag one, count yourself lucky, especially the window seat or the coveted fireside spot. The bar's local ales and ciders are on tap, and the vibe gets even livelier during monthly folk nights and impromptu jam sessions. Worried about unpredictable Welsh weather? Don't be, there's a covered outdoor area, too. Food is served Wednesday through Sunday and includes pub classics and small plates like burgers, bangers and mash, and charcuterie. If you're super lucky, you might catch a street food pop-up dishing up zingy local and international dishes. Thinking of making a weekend of it? They have reasonably priced rooms so that you can enjoy the riverside peace long after the last drink's poured. Just a heads-up, parking's tight on the pub side of the river. If you're driving rather than paddling, you're better off leaving your car in Redbrook and crossing the bridge on foot.
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Wales Online
The world-class pub by a river in an underrated corner of Wales and you can get to it by canoe
The world-class pub by a river in an underrated corner of Wales and you can get to it by canoe Named 30 as one of the cosiest pubs in the UK by the Financial Times, this is a "pub for all seasons" The Boat Inn, Penallt, Monmouthshire (Image: The Boat Inn ) If you fancy a proper pub visit with some character, paddle to The Boat Inn at Penallt. Straddling the Welsh side of the Wye Valley, this charming riverside boozer has serious charm. Named 30 as one of the cosiest pubs in the UK by the Financial Times, this is a "pub for all seasons", and when it's sunny, you can get there by canoe and take in the view from the hillside gardens. Here's why you should grab a paddle and float down to the Boat Inn this spring. The riverside pub is in the Wye Valley, a hugely underrated destination. Bordering England and Wales, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features similar rolling countryside, attractive market towns, and hiking trails but with fewer crowds. One of the area's most natural features is the flowing River Wye. This meandering river begins in Plynlimon in mid-Wales and flows south, becoming part of Wales and England's border and eventually meeting the Severn. You'll find plenty of walks, country pubs and watersports along the river to keep you occupied. Article continues below The riverside pub is in the Wye Valley, a hugely underrated destination. (Image: Portia Jones ) Gently paddling down the river is a unique way to experience the beautiful scenery of the Wye Valley, spot wildlife, and get a great core muscle workout between riverside pub stops. Numerous outdoor companies in the area offer guided canoe and paddleboard trips down the River Wye. Many trips include camping or visiting riverside villages and pubs. You can also hire a canoe and captain your own vessel on a river pub crawl or camping expedition. Several pubs along the River Wye are a welcome rest spot if you're paddling up the river on an epic canoe or kayak trip. The Boat Inn is one of the best spots for a pint by the water and offers local ales and river views. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Several pubs along the River Wye are a welcome rest spot if you're paddling up the river on an epic canoe or SUP trip (Image: Portia Jones ) The Financial Times said of the Boat Inn, "In frost or rain, thick stone walls and log burners help keep drinkers warm and dry inside, where they can sit with dog-swaddled legs nursing a pint of Butty Bach, perhaps taking in one of the monthly folk music sessions." "What other pub allows you to park in one country and cross a bridge to take a drink in another?" Built in 1650 from local stone, it has history in spades – and a fan in none other than Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. It's got a bit of rock 'n' roll soul. Getting there is also very much part of the fun. You'll cross an old iron railway bridge – the very one that made a cameo in Sex Education. It once carried steam trains between Chepstow and Monmouth, but these days, it leads you straight to a cracking pint and a riverside view. Right on the riverbank are a handful of picnic tables where you can watch the Wye drift past, along with ducks, paddleboarders, and the occasional soggy dog. There's also a garden that climbs up the hillside, complete with a terrace and a waterfall trickling down the rock face. Bring your sunnies – it's a prime perch on a sunny afternoon. There are several pub stops along the way (Image: Portia Jones ) Inside, it's snug and welcoming, with a single cosy room centred around a roaring fire. There aren't many tables, so if you bag one, count yourself lucky, especially the window seat or the coveted fireside spot. The bar's local ales and ciders are on tap, and the vibe gets even livelier during monthly folk nights and impromptu jam sessions. Worried about unpredictable Welsh weather? Don't be, there's a covered outdoor area, too. Food is served Wednesday through Sunday and includes pub classics and small plates like burgers, bangers and mash, and charcuterie. If you're super lucky, you might catch a street food pop-up dishing up zingy local and international dishes. Article continues below Thinking of making a weekend of it? They have reasonably priced rooms so that you can enjoy the riverside peace long after the last drink's poured. Just a heads-up, parking's tight on the pub side of the river. If you're driving rather than paddling, you're better off leaving your car in Redbrook and crossing the bridge on foot.
