Escape to the Country Season 24 Episode 22: Perth & Kinross (2023) | FULL EPISODE
[Music] when it comes to finding the right place for a Country Escape sometimes it pays to go with the flow look at that view that is amazing although that can lead to being spoiled for Choice it's so beautiful here isn't it just so it's worth properly pinning down those property requirements she can tuck me out of the way in all sorts of different parts of the house is that why you like it so much it is and you could come up with the perfect match falling and love going on here I think oh did he mention the love one The L Word yeah yes [Applause] [Music] whether you're after taking a high road or a low road today's Escape location combines all the best ingredients of Scenic drama calm and culture Perth and Kinross breathtaking beautiful and thrilling even if you live here in the village of dull that's right it's called dull and it's in a club with an American town called boring and a place called Bland in Australia I'm not kidding I think it's safe to say though that the 80 or so residents of dull think it's anything but located in the center of Scotland in one of 32 Scottish Council areas Perth and Kinross covers more than 2,000 square miles which roughly correspond to the historic boundaries of perthshire and krosia straddling both Scotland's Highlands and cland it combines classic Landscapes of locks and Monro that's mountains of 3,000 ft or more with fertile pastures and crop Fields the result is a bounty of Scenic Vistas and quality produce for you what is that specific charm about this area I mean for here it's the mighty River I mean the mighty river runs from loct to the Atlantic and also we have probably within the small radius of here maybe 50 or 60 Monro so very very popular with Hill Walkers we get a lot of visitors who are looking for produce from Scotland so we fit that build [Music] ideally I've said it before and I'll say it again I can not get enough of these epic Landscapes and of course I'm not alone in that thinking today's couple love all of this so much that they want to turn Perth and Kinross their favorite holiday destination into their home [Music] so this is our home and has been for the last 10 years in southorn suburb of Bournemouth where I grew up we've got a lovely three bed detached house here with a lovely long Garden but the time has come for change so this used to be a dining room but as you can see it's now full of bookcases and books and a big part of the move for me is looking for somewhere where I can expand a little further and get all of my books on the shelves one and at the same time retired Drama teacher and book lover Phil and administrator Andrea are looking for a home with more space inside and out for that they've decided to head to the area they first discovered on their honeymoon in 2016 we went to the pit lockery Festival theater for the first time love the town didn't we and the surrounding area and it offers so much it offers a mixture of the rural but also the sort of activ ity that we enjoy within smaller towns we discovered it together really it was the sort of the landscape the history the people the food I shall certainly Miss All Saints dramatic Society where I've been a member for 16 years but if we just stay here we'll always regret not taking the opportunity to move to Persia yes it's been our Dream for years so we can't wait to get on and do it we look as though we're on the verge of selling here so so all being well we're hoping maybe by the summer we'll be up in our new home and enjoying not just Persia but the whole of Scotland Phil and Andrea have a budget of up to £425,000 to buy their perfect property in Perth and Kinross for that they want a character home with three or more bedrooms a large study for Phil's library of books and a peaceful location with a sense of space around them they'd like a community to get involved with and some views would be an added bonus this move all the way from the south coast all the way up here to Scotland is so major I feel like they've got that carpedm mentality if not now when just go for it and that is a great attitude they say they want space and in that sense they've made the perfect choice in Perth and kin Ros the the landscape here just the air here they're going to love it we're starting our search in the small Highland Village of Kenmore where I'm meeting Andrea and Phil on the scenic edges of Lo T well Phil and Andrea I think it's only fitting that we have grand views for what sounds like a very Grand move were there any nerves or hesitation not at all we've been dreaming about it for years haven't we yeah I think we fell in love with the area and from then on it was a case of waiting for other things to fall into place it feels like starting a really really new chapter in our lives uh and an exciting one what are you most looking forward to when you move here I'm looking forward to the peace and quiet actually and I think as you get older you're just wanting a bit more sort of relaxation yes but not in your case well but I want that contast I want to be somewhere where I can do things whether it's getting involved with a theater group or exploring historical sites or whatever but then to be able to retreat and just be really quiet and sit somewhere with hopefully um a really attractive View and just enjoy that for itself this view in particular could become very local to you because our first property is just up the road right you ready to house hunt we definitely are go Kenmore Village is located where the river meets the lock and was moved to its current position in the 16th century by the then Leed Colin Campbell The Village hotel is reputed to be Scotland's oldest Inn and is undergoing renovation as part of a huge multi-million pound Redevelopment of the area so along with the village shop is currently closed but there's a farm and gift shop specializing in local produce that remains open for business around a 10 10-minute stroll from The Village Center surrounded by trees in an area known for sightings of red squirrels is the house we've come to see we're approaching from the roadside access at the rear of the home this is the property all right right intriguing different fascinating and it's very quiet I can't see any Neighbors at the moment which is the thing you've asked for it is you've got the trees up there behind you you've got what Scotland is about what peria is about and what about the property itself I'm guessing this looks like it's a more modern extension that's been added on to what would have been the original building there I'm I'm kind of champing at the bit a little bit to see what it is like inside let me take you into the house yeah thank you feels quite right the original building constructed from local Stone dates to 1869 and inside are Victorian proportions that testify to that our tour starts in the more recent brick extension so little dining area into the kitchen lead round right ah I can see why they built the extension whoever did it now see what you've added to it nice separate area there it is yeah and I started dabbling with a bit of baking but I've said I'm going to try and do it properly plenty of surface space for yes there is I big enough kitchen wise and it connects nicely with that space yes exiting the other side of the kitchen we find ourselves in the original part of the property ooh lovely that's really cozy isn't it it's spacious but cozy isn't it I can see being tucked up in here on on a winter evening as well sickly yeah and as you can see you got views out to the back of the house here yeah yeah now there are three bedrooms to this property two of them upstairs I'm going to show you the downstairs okay also on this side is a conservatory extension making the most of the views across the tth estate and completing this floor is a dual aspect bedroom that might also suit as a study you could turn this into a library so this doesn't need to be a bedroom it could be a beautiful sort of Scottish Lodge type Library yeah that's really useful to have that extra room but I have seen how many books SE over 30 ft you seen my I prove it definitely yes how are you feeling walking around this house it's got that sort of cottagey feel which we've not lived in before have we no my brain is weing away here working out what you like you say what you would do with the space all the time so have a look upstairs see what you think because then you'll get the overall feel of the house okay and then come and find me outside right upstairs set into the eaves is a family bathroom with skylight Windows the large larger of the two bedrooms up here also has a skylight as well as a Dorma window very nice it feels like this might be the main bedroom probably the view better view yeah be even more attractive from here because you're higher up to start with the second bedroom is smaller but also benefits from a dormer window it's got the lovely view in some ways that's the best view we've seen so far I'm pleased to see that they're sort of really thinking about about this space I think it feels like the first time they're actually thinking about the actual property as opposed to just the location and they haven't even seen all this yet the outside space includes a level Terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding Countryside from here the rest of the plot slopes downwards and is fully enclosed by fencing how does this space work for you you didn't want a huge Garden no we don't need a huge Garden this would be AB fine weather is just that little bit too harsh you've got the summer house the summerh house is lovely actually yeah that extra bit of seating area how much do you think this property is on the market for could be 395,000 I was going to go offers over 350 okay like that yeah they're asking for offers over 295,000 oh it is down that far right that's surprising I think this is probably the right time to tell you that it's only been on the market for a week it's had loads of viewings and already an offer so it's the kind of place that if you really do like the location you are probably going to have to make up your mind fairly soon right we got that impression didn't we anyway yeah this attached late Victorian home is considerably under budget and comes with an open plan kitchen and dining area plus three bedrooms including one that might suit Phil's book collection the conservatory and garden enjoy wonderful Countryside views including glimpses of the nearby lock the first thing struck me was the character particularly of the uh older part of the building it strikes me more as a sort of a holiday venue rather than somewhere necessarily that I would live all of the time I actually love that Cozy Lounge and also the Conservatory seating area because you can admire all the views from there it's a lovely cozy cottagey type place but I'm not sure it's big enough for our needs I think that would be the main issue the [Music] storage Phil and Andrea are looking to move themselves and a rather large book collection to permanently reside in per and Kinross oh look at these rather lovely and where better to start writing a new chapter than the location of Scotland's oldest lending library the market town of creef it was once a stopping point for Drovers of cattle on their way from remote Highland Farms to sell to the city populations of Glasgow and Edinburgh it's now a destination for visitors drawn by local specialities including whiskey and glasswar as well as its growing reputation with food lovers I adore creef I've lived here for more than 30 years at the time creef was small and um as time went on creef has grown and grown and there's now about 8,000 people and I think the reason for that is the landscape of above all it's an hour in the car to Edinburgh and it's an hour in the car to Glasgow and yet it's also the gateway to the highlands CRI is also putting itself on the map as a center for sustainable upcycling through a charity called remake Scotland started in the town 12 years ago by a group of volunteers including Fiona mava it's a great place for those looking to set up home as well as start a new life in the area can you explain a bit about remake and what you do remake is a sustainable living charity so the front face of it is the best secondhand shop around the area so we have focus on uh furniture and habid dasing we take in stock that is good value and is good standard quality uh and uh and then people purchase sometimes they might they might want want to come along to the repair Cafe and fix something there with our volunteers we do have people come on holiday have come in holiday because we're here so yeah we've got a really good name in terms of a destination for reuse what sort of town is creef creef is very community-minded we've also got creative creef which is developing an art center um we've got the Highland Gathering which is also developing a center too so there's lots happening does it have a a theater group at all in it does I think it's got quite a few actually yes yes it's got an amateur Dramatics they put on video shows pantomimes are a big thing around here so once you get into the circuit you probably will be invaluable yeah three or four and directed a couple of them so so um yeah that's that sounds quite positive so is there a dramatic reason for my buyers to move to this area oh yes there is but as for having pinned down the house they're ready to sign up for oh no there isn't so we better get on with that house [Music] search our next property option is in the village of Stanley located on the banks of the mighty River Tay The Village was created in the 18th century to house workers for a waterp powerered cottton mill facilities include grocery shopping and Pharmacy Services regular buses run to the city of Perth 6 mil away from where there are good onward rail connections across Scotland and Beyond and it's on this route out of the village above the river that gave birth to it that we find the house in question so that is the front of the house okay right and look at that view the river T is why I brought you back here that is amazing isn't you weren't expecting this you definitely not I didn't realize the river was so no the location's amazing this Stone House dates to the 1900s but was given a large extension in the 1960s accessed via sliding doors this is where we begin our tour in the recently renovated kitchen and dining area wow there certainly a different Arrangement isn't it is that originally outside wall I wonder yeah looks like could be and then you've got the view going across there yeah your breakfast bar looks out the view yes yeah First Impressions First Impressions different but I I like the location cuz obviously if this has been renovated recently you think how does it compare with other rooms individually and and as a whole yeah let me see if I can answer that that question next to the kitchen at lower ground level is a garage while the older footprint of the home comprises both living and sleeping quarters there's a cozy reception room with a brick fireplace a ground floor shower room and the first of the home four bedrooms which could perhaps work equally well as a book filled study the rest of the bedrooms are on two further floors the first of these above the garage extension is a studio with its own bathroom and kitchenet so one of the little surprises about this house oh yeah is that kitchenet oh it is different yes that was the last thing I expect to see that right I can see this is probably the main bedroom it's an interesting space like a tree by what's through there as well got sweet yes yeah I think you'd want this as the main thing well yes you've got that it would either be that or the library and and use the be see well it might be a bit selfish to turn it into the library B it well unless you're moving on your own could be can you imagine waking up to these views oh definitely yeah go and have a look at the other two rooms on the floor above and see how it all fits together together yeah right and then let's chat okay the remaining two bedrooms are in the original part of the home each is a double and has a Dorma window right what's in here that's reasonable sze lots of blank canvases that's what I'm thinking and even nice view over across the fields there towards that way yeah now they've seen all the rooms on offer and several options for book storage let's find out what they think this one's on the market [Music] for how did you find the upstairs there's quite a lot of space in this house I mean there's a lot of potential here and the view obviously is to die for you're you're appreciating the space we do the the the amount of space for the books yeah the third thing in your marriage it is actually I like that yeah yeah should we talk about price yes yes I'm intrigued again be 310 310 I'd go a bit higher I'd go 340 how about somewhere in the middle oh all right it's on for offers over £ 327,000 okay oh okay that's interesting yeah it is this Stonehouse on the banks of the river T delivers a good deal of accommodation for their budget it comes with a modern kitchen Diner four bedrooms including an onsuite with kitchenet and is located on the outskirts of a village with a range of shops and services all this plus spectacular River views the view is fantastic really um and feels more spacious than our previous house but uh it's just not for us I don't think for me the house I don't think has that sense of Escape about it it feels that I'm still moving alth although there are fewer houses around to somewhere where I'm very much among houses uh and I haven't turned a corner and put the life I've been leading behind me a day of house hunts and getting to know more about Perth and kin Ross under our belts we're rounding things off at a more familiar spot for my buyers the River Rapids in the village of kin I thought I'd bring you some local treats while we're here when in Rome and all that look delicious this particular place here is Phil's what he calls happy place it's so beautiful here isn't it just I I just love that Rushing Water the locks the rivers all of that it's just rejuvenating well the last time I was here shoes and socks came off and the feet were in the in the in the water just makes you feel 9 years old again one of my worries when people say that they want to make their holiday destination their actual home is that will they be able to enjoy it survive it all year round one of the attractions is the fact that the landscape is going to be so different every season even every day per and K Ross being located where it is and gotten you can go in every direction and explore somewhere you and doing that out of season will be just as attractive as doing it in the middle of the summer you've picked well thank [Music] you we're not quite there yet are we with Phil and Andrea they are deeply in love with this area their eyes light up as they walk around but they don't have that feeling about a property yet so today my aim is to charm them and I have two properties that should be very Charming indeed later on we have the mystery house which is steeped in history before that a property that should bring them into the heart of a community and given the scale of this move we know how important that is the house we're starting with today is in the village of abany where features include an unusual Thousand-Year old round Tower one of only two of its type in the whole of Scotland you can find out more in the nearby local History Museum where you might also learn about the traditional Scottish fruit pudding called clouty dumpling that's sold in the village there's a general store a visiting post office and a bus route that runs to the city of Perth in around half an hour the house we've lined up is tucked away in an elevated spot in the Village Center so this is the property that we are here to see interesting is I'm trying to work out whether it's something converted or a newer build it is a conversion going on there so it used to be a joiner Workshop in the 1940s and has been converted into a house I'm liking what I'm moment yeah I'm hoping that you'll very much like the sizable garage over there because while there is lots of storage in the property if all else fails the books are going there okay I'm thinking about your book yeah yeah I do that a lot let's head in yes okay let's go we're in a Conservation Area meaning any work done to this detached property has to meet the approval of historic environment Scotland set over two levels we're going to go straight upstairs oh okay oh okay the main living accommodation is on the first floor where our tour [Music] begins it's a kitchen upstairs is wow it's very nice very nice very attractive and it's got a view across the hills which is always good how would you feel about the going upstairs to the kitchen that's fine with me not a problem not a problem yeah it's different but cozy and I can see if one of us is doing something in the kitchen the other one's sitting here just sort of just sort of chatting being sociable is the best of what we've seen isn't it yeah yeah it is but this may not be the best room in the house oh okay look at this space Oh a lovely room yes this is lovely this is really attractive I love the fact that there's what six Windows dotted around the room so nice I mean it's the nicest room we've seen so obviously it's not just you two moving but also the books yes it is yes on this floor there is what is classed as a bedroom but I think could make a lovely Library go and have a look see what you think and then explore the bedrooms downstairs right okay head outside right thanks very much we'll do [Music] that the bedroom in question is the first of four in total a large L-shaped room with Countryside views aha oh goes right around the corner corner yeah that's it desk there books around here the library sorted you wasted there a bedroom yeah I'm getting quite excited by this I can tell over the back it's another attractive view this is wonderful and then you could just shut me in here at times and and just enjoy the rest of the house without me go perfect for both of us yes back on the ground floor there are even more options with three further bedrooms a double with built-in wardrobes and a smaller guest bedroom these are served by a family bathroom then the final bedroom has onsuite facilities and direct access to the garden this is a nice room built- in wardrobes already there's an on Suite I noticed as we came in as well quite a nice Outlook over there I think this is the most excited I've seen Phil and Andrea so far they have such passion for this area so it's nice to see some of that for this property if they can see that potential brilliant completing the ground floor is a utility room and a sun room the outside space is divided into different zones a graveled area to the side and a patio that sits off the sun room where we're catching up to see if the asking price of this one keeps those excitement levels High the outside space not too unmanageable so you've got this Garden space and then sort of something similar sized over there yeah yeah which is perfect all separate areas you could do something distinctive with each one it would keep me completely happy without my back suffering too much yeah that'd be good I haven't found anything I don't like about it but well I think it's amazing I absolutely love it she can tuck me out of the way in all sorts of different parts of the house is that why you like it so much it is shall we talk about money how much do you think this property that you can't find anything wrong with is on the market for I think I might be being optimistic I'm going to say 350 okay oh I'd go a bit higher than that I'm going to go 390 the house is on the market for offers over $299,500 oh my goodness goh that's amazing do you want to have another look around because the price and the house is working for you yes thank you very much take time thank you sitting very comfortably below Phil and Andrea's top budget of £425,000 this converted carpentry Workshop has an upside down layout with a kitchen Diner and reception rooms on the first floor there are four bedrooms to choose from meaning there's space for a dedicated library and it's in a village with great history as well as incredible Vistas the price is amazing we were stunned by the price yes yeah I think it it's perfect actually age VI are amazing gives us a good mixture and it also brings out the more creative imaginative side in me in as much as I can see what it would be like if we were living here but also sort of quietly excited about finding somewhere I'm getting a bit um emotional it's good I feel hanky [Laughter] [Music] yes when it comes to the cost of buying a house in Perth and Kinross views on affordability may depend on which side of the Scottish border you live at just shy of £ 367,000 the average price for a detached home here is almost £24,000 higher than the national average for Scotland but it's significantly lower than the $491,000 average in England and there are options to suit a wide range of budgets this attached two-bedroom Cottage in the hamlet of pit K green is on the market for offers over £69,000 for those after a fully rural lifestyle surrounded by Rolling farmland and panoramic views this detached home comes with four bedrooms and three bathrooms located 10 mi from the city of Perth it's priced at offers over 579,000 and renters can also find properties to get away from it all this three bedroom home is surrounded by its own peaceful Gardens where you can wander beside a babbling brook or Bernie as they might say in Scotland rent is set at £995 per calendar [Music] month for my mystery twist I'm going outside of their search area and over the border to Sterling heading for the village of G Guk a small settlement of just over 700 residents it retains a primary school a church and a pub a bus service runs to the city of Sterling just over 7 m away in around 15 minutes where there are onward rail connections several streams or Burns run down from the nearby Hills and just over a bridge Crossing one of these I've gone ahead to share the property twist I've got lined up for my buyers right in the heart of the village [Music] this Mystery House is full of stories at one point it used to be an inn part of it was a post office all of that is going to appeal to a book clover but I also think part of its mystery and part of its charm is what our couple will be able to bring to the house and the community it's in Phil is going to love this space library of course but then it has independent access over here because it used to be the post office imagine the possibilities I am taking them outside the box in terms of search area so let's see if what my mystery provides pays off welcome welcome thank you to the Mystery House oh how much of that is one house how about I give this part to Andrea and that part to you right perfect and bit on the side that I'm saying is Your Part F was once a post office fantastic that's really different that part of the house is ideal for you and a library but perhaps you could at times open it up to the community that you would be living in I can be completely altruistic couldn't I you never know if some people come and borrow them if Andre is lucky they might not bring them all back let's head in yes please thought to date to 1775 this house is laid over three floors and is Grade B equivalent to grade 2 listing in England and Wales we're starting our tour through the small Lobby to enter the main reception room in the center of the ground floor you can see the character as soon as you walk in definitely what wonderful room incredible I like the fact that previous owners would have left paneling they haven't exactly destroyed the character of it yes at the yeah I love this deep window sill I've always loved window sills like that well the thing about the Deep window sills is they tell you how deep the walls are going to be in lots of parts of the property you can't hear anything outside that fireplace is fantastic you have a working log fire here that's a real feature yeah I love this character and sort of cottagey type feel because we've never lived anywhere like that before would you like to make your way to the library now yes please please it's already partially set up for the books oh yes oh yes I love it yes marvelous oh my desk would probably fit in there really nicely oh he would be like a museum piece in the window for the rest of the village and this is the door that goes to the outside okay oh right so actually you could just shut him off and that or if I want to escape without you knowing it I can just slip out I I think she's well and truly going to give you [Laughter] permission she has a bit falling in love going on here I think oh did you mention the love word the L word oh yeah yes I think it's perfect for you this room there have been times when we've been in Scotland walking around places and I've said if there's a heaven and it's like this it'll do me and this would be the room I think and there's still the rest of the ground floor and two more floors to see yet at the other end of the ground floor is a large country kitchen Diner oh wow this is Fant thetic that's terrific I don't know I don't think I'd change anything at all I love this room it's so it's quite a quirky shape but it's quite spacious as well and there's a lot of storage that would really work actually from this a Lobby leads to the rear of the home and into a small additional Wing containing a ground floor bedroom the first of four in total and as if this mystery needed any further Intrigue a circular staircase Rises up to two further levels feel like I'm in a castle on the first of these is a very spacious family shower room who does doesn't love an armchair in a bathroom and next to this the largest of the bedrooms with its own shower room look at the size of this room and an on suite and an on Suite over there yes and I like the fact they've left that Rick Wall I think it could feel like home very cozy on the top floor are two further bedrooms a guest twin with dual aspect and a guest double that also has Windows to two sides The View across there view out there can you imagine if we had guests coming to stay oh yes you in this bedroom in fact friends came to stayed I'd probably charg them there's a midsize Garden that is fully enclosed to offer a high level of privacy with the rest of this mystery property getting glowing reviews it's the last thing that needs to meet my buyer's approval before we get into discussing that crucial asking price lovely size Garden I think it is not too big it already looks as though it's been really attractively planted uh so you've got a really big head start when you move in yeah so it's your final guessing yeah of the price of a property you may never have to do it ever again well I'm going to go 400,000 I was going to go for exactly the same so I will go off as over 410 it's on the market for offers over £375,000 oh that's amazing there my pen what more do you need now we need our estate agent to come back and tell us that we got a date for exchange completion I'm just waiting you to produce a hat and pull a a rabbit out of it now you're looking at the rabbit there you go yes at the end of our Magical Mystery Tour the price has put this 18th century in and form a post office well within my buyer's reach there's a large kitchen Diner two reception rooms and four bedrooms with a private midsize Garden it would place them in the heart of a lovely village with the city of Sterling a short distance away I think this Mystery House has exceeded expectations because it's not something we would have naturally looked at but it's so perfect I absolutely love this house Christmas would be amazing you can just picture how festive it would be with all the decorations up and where to put the tree and and outside is a lovely little garden just right for what what we're looking for um the whole house is just a gem I thought I'd give Andrea and Phil a couple of minutes to just let all the love sink in but time for me to Third Wheel it now I think [Music] oh your all smiles now it's been a lovely week what is the plan we will be getting in touch with the agent the Mystery House everything up here has become really real yeah yes hasn't it just and how does that feel years of planning and almost like this you knew that house was the one I think it's amazing we we're sort of partly in shock I think at the moment and it sounds like you have a bit of a backup plan so if the mystery house doesn't work out it's the upside down house you can go back and see yes I mean I'm very still very keen on the upside down house so it's nice to have and I certainly liked it and certainly saw the potential there so what was it about the mystery house that pushed that to the top do you think character character unique character the history of the house is still present and I could just see myself in every room what does finding that house mean to you it means everything doesn't it because we've dreamt of it for so long and had so many obstacles to get to that point and you don't take for granted that you will ever fall in love or with the house or even though you're hoping to but to actually fall in love with it you think well amazing we've got very lucky well I've got everything crossed I'm could not be happier for you I really couldn't I'm glad it's beginning to work out thank you very get it done bring it on home thank you oh what joy joy joy Phil and Andrea have been planning this major move up to Scotland and more specifically Perth and kin Ross for a long time and today for the first time they could see that Dream Within touching distance and now they are raring to go to begin their new chapter which reminds me I am very relieved that I could also find a home for Phil's books we wish them the very best I think we are all rooting for them see you next time after a lot of soul searching Phil and Andrea decided that although they loved the Mystery House its spiral stairs may not have suited them long term but they continued to search put in an offer on a house in pit lockery and I'm delighted to say it was accepted if you would like to escape to the country in Scotland England Northern Ireland or Wales and need our help why not apply online at bbc.co.uk slake part [Music]
2025-04-27 16:49
