Willow Cottage

Northmuir, Angus, Scotland

"Willow cottage is at one end of a row of 3 traditional cottages built from the local red sandstone around the middle of the 19th century."

Things You'll Love

You can enjoy pleasant walks local to the cottage, notably within and around Caddam Wood and Kate's Wood and on Kirrie hill. The views from the top of the hill are superb and on a bright day it is worth visiting the 'Camera Obscura' in the cricket pavilion at the top of the hill.

Location

The town of Kirriemuir overlooks the upper end of the Strathmore valley. It has around 6000 inhabitants and is known affectionately as the 'wee red toon.' Its main claim to fame is as birthplace, childhood home and last resting place of renowned author and playwright sir J.M.Barrie, whose best-known creation is the immortal Peter Pan -'the boy who never grew up.'


All the Angus towns are readily accessible from Kirriemuir either by car or bicycle. Distances range from 5 miles (Forfar) to 19 miles (Montrose). Carnoustie is a host venue for the Open golf championship, and St. Andrews - 'the golfers Mecca' - is a 45 minute drive via Dundee and the Tay Bridge. There are superb sandy beaches at Montrose and Carnoustie, and Arbroath boasts the substantial remnant of the Abbey in which the Scottish declaration of independence was signed in 1215 A.D.

Glamis castle, the seat of the Earls of Strathmore, and childhood home of the late-lamented queen mother and our present monarch, is 5 miles from Kirriemuir. It is also associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth (Known and feared in the trade as the 'Scottish play')

The Angus glens mark the southern boundary of the Cairngorm National Park. An access road from Glen Isla leads to Glen Shee and Royal Deeside. Both Glen Clova and Glen Esk have no through roads, but the upper glens afford some excellent woodland walks and high-level walks for hill-climbers; mountain-bikers and Munro-baggers. There are many old castles, hill-forts and pictish remains throughout the county and a number of coastal and rural villages to explore. The cities of Dundee, Perth and Aberdeen are within easy reach and afford all the amenities and facilities of moderately large conurbations. Many Kirrimarians commute to these cities daily. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh are about a two-hour drive and well within the scope of a day trip.

There are some pleasant walks local to the cottage, notably within and around Caddam Wood and Kate's Wood and on Kirrie hill. The views from the top of the hill are superb and on a bright day it is worth visiting the 'Camera Obscura' in the cricket pavilion at the top of the hill.

A local guide can accompany you on a comfortable 'tour' of the 360degree panorama that takes in the coast from Montrose to the Fife hills and the munro peaks of Perthshire and Angus.

Owner's Description

The cottage consists of a period-style farm kitchen with terra-cotta tiled floor and low-beamed ceiling. A short stair leads to the mezzanine-style double master bedroom, whose window overlooks the small patio and front garden and gives tantalising glimpses of the Angus Braes beyond (the guardians of the Gateway to the Angus glens.) There is a second double bedroom with a double bunk bed to sleep 3. The living-room has a large fireplace, which has an open hearth. The bathroom has been cleverly situated between the original cottage wall and the extension. There is a semi-sunken bath and natural lighting is provided from the skylight above. A deep cupboard off the kitchen houses the combi gas boiler and the washing machine.

A feature of the cottage is the extensive use of exposed timber on walls, floor and ceiling. Some of the wall panelling is original and has been lovingly and painstakingly scraped and stripped of about 150 years worth of papering and painting. There is central heating with radiators in all rooms and the house was completely re-wired during the restoration. There is a patio and small garden at the front and a grassed area at the rear of the house. Both the front and rear grassy plots are ideal safe play areas for young children and are sufficiently secluded for a spot of sun-bathing when conditions permiting.

There is a children's playpark on Kirrie hill, which is about 400 metres from the front door of the cottage, and the local convenience store and pub are on the main road less than 100 metres away. The town centre is a 15 minute walk down the hill and a frequent bus service to Forfar; Dundee and Arbroath takes the strain out of the return journey back up the hill.

Things You Need To Know

Contrary to popular belief, the sun does shine in Scotland, and in high summer it rises at 4a.m. and sets around Midnight...