Moray Cottages and Outbuildings, Dufftown, AB55 4DR

DESCRIPTION
Moray Cottages represents an exciting business opportunity with the ability to develop further. The cottages are traditional rural buildings and benefit from being set in approximately 1 acre of land. The cottages are finished to an extremely high standard throughout, offering a fantastic level of comfort and luxury. Renovated and updated since 2019, these attractive properties sit close to the lovely village of Dufftown, enjoying an elevated location with stunning views over fields, woods and local hills to the North East.

Each of the cottages has a substantial private enclosed garden with a seating area, ideal for dogs and families. The cottages each have a kitchen / diner, lounge and spacious bedrooms. These are truly delightful properties and the standard of finish cannot be over-emphasised.

The business is presented to an exceptionally high standard and the quality of the finish can only be fully appreciated by viewing. The current owners’ ongoing investment has ensured that the buildings are presented to a high standard making Moray Cottages a modern and highly desirable business.

REASON FOR SALE
It is the owners desire to retire from hospitality and a wish to move nearer family that brings this attractive business to the market.

TRADE
Moray Cottages is a wonderfully positioned trading entity with a highly attractive website (https://moray-cottages.com). This is supplemented by marketing on a number of portal websites which attract a wide range of customers and facilitates easy booking. Online reviews are excellent, resulting in a high level of repeat business. Bookings can be made on the owners website via SuperControl or on the portal websites. The business operates on a flexible basis offering a range of booking formats with a minimum of 3-night stays. Currently, it is operated 10 months of the year, closing in January and February. In addition, there are currently regular periods of non-trading to allow the owners to balance work and life. During 2023 they traded at part capacity due to the need to support an older family member. Thus, there is the opportunity to develop turnover for those who want to operate on a more full-time basis. The short term let licence has been granted (23/01322/STLSL).

The current owners live on site in the farmhouse which is available to purchase by separate negotiation. New owners may wish to adjust that trading model and consider converting the farmhouse to additional self-catering accommodation subject to statutory consents. There is also the opportunity to potentially develop the existing outbuildings to create further self-catering accommodation. The result of this would be an outstanding self-catering business in a glorious part of the country. Alternatively, the combined premises may be attractive to an extended family for residential purposes.

THE PROPERTIES
These attractive properties were bought in 2019, since then the owners have methodically renovated each of the properties, to bring them to the market in outstanding condition. Access to the buildings is via the A941. The buildings sit beautifully within the farm landscape. The cottages date from the 18th century and farmhouse from early in the 19th century but all now benefit from double glazing. All buildings on site are of traditional construction, stone walls with slate roofs and dormer details. The front of the cottage buildings have been rendered and is finished in white masonry paint; some corbel details are present around some ingos.

Mill Cottage
Entering via the front door, the cottage’s ground floor rooms and the stair leading to the first floor are accessed. The ground floor consists of a lounge, bedroom 3, toilet and kitchen / diner. On the 1st floor there is bedroom 1 with ensuite, a bathroom (with a bath with shower over), and bedroom 2. All rooms are ideally sized to suit the maximum occupancy of 5, supporting the excellent booking.com ratings.

Stable Cottage
Entering via the front door, the cottage’s ground floor rooms and the stair leading to the first floor are accessed. The ground floor consists of a lounge, toilet and kitchen / diner. On the 1st floor there is bedroom 1, a shower room and bedroom 2. All rooms are ideally sized to suit the maximum occupancy of 4, supporting the excellent booking.com ratings.

Common to Both Cottages
Access to the cottages is via a dedicated paved path from their designated parking area into a lobby located centrally at the front of each cottage. Throughout both cottages, the properties are immaculate with an attention to detail which is second to none. The beautifully appointed living spaces have attractive open fires and are equipped with lovely soft furnishings. The living areas are finished with soft and luxurious carpets, while the kitchens and shower rooms are attractively tiled. For guest entertainment, there are LCD TVs, DVDs and WiFi/Bluetooth speakers plus a variety of board games and books. The kitchens are beautifully finished, with high quality units and appliances.

The modern and fully equipped kitchens include an electric oven, electric hob, kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, tumble drier and washing machine. They contain more than ample floor-mounted storage units and workspaces making them ideal for home dining.

The cottages are beautifully finished, superbly well thought out and immaculate throughout and enjoy wonderful views over their own private garden to the rolling fields and hills beyond.

GROUNDS
The grounds of the properties are divided into 2 areas, so each cottage has a private garden. Should the buyers decide the develop the 2 outbuildings, the private gardens are large enough to spilt and still provide a great outdoor space for each holiday property. Each garden is secure, dog friendly and mainly laid to lawn, with limited planting around the perimeter. The garden area allows the guests to enjoy the peace and quiet of this rural countryside environment. There is ample parking outside each building. Access to the properties is via a shared gravel drive.

To the end of Mill Cottage, there is a large store which could be converted into a 2-bedroom self-catering unit, should that be desired. There is also a standalone building to the side of Stable Cottage garden, which could also have some development potential. New owners would need to verify if this development was permissible.

SERVICES
The properties benefit from mains electricity, oil central heating and a private water supply. Both self-catering properties benefit from a log fire in the lounge area, which creates a lovely ambiance when lit. Drainage from each property is collected into its own septic tank with soak-away. The properties have internet access and Wi-Fi.