Set within the beautiful Royal Deeside on the scenic outskirts of Banchory, our prestigious development, Inchmarlo, will offer a truly enviable location to call home. With an abundance of amenities close by, beautiful countryside surroundings yet only a short commute to Aberdeen, Inchmarlo will appeal to those who refuse to compromise on location and quality.
To help you imagine what it could be like living here, we caught up with Michelle Kidd, our Sales Advisor at Inchmarlo, who has shared her insights on what makes this development unique, the quality of the homes available and why Inchmarlo is the perfect development for the most discerning purchaser.
How would you describe the location of Inchmarlo to potential customers? What stands out?
“I would say Inchmarlo is a really unique development as it offers a semi-rural feel amongst the beautiful backdrop of Royal Deeside - yet it's literally three minutes from the bustling High Street in Banchory.
“This isn’t something usually available within housing developments - and I think the fact that people can enjoy the best of both worlds will absolutely make this development popular with those who want to live in a quiet and picturesque location, without feeling isolated.
“The location of Banchory is perfect for commuting and also offers a safe, family - friendly community. A real plus is the proximity to Aberdeen city should you need to travel for work or leisure purposes, however the amenities within the town are superb.”
What is there to do nearby in terms of activities?
“A lot of the locals here love going out on an adventure with the dog as the lovely countryside is literally on the doorstep and you’re spoilt for walks nearby - Crathes Estate is really close and absolutely beautiful, while Scolty Hill is very popular with the local community. There are even more options further afield, such as the Balmoral Estate. In terms of being outdoors, Banchory really is the place to be, with so many choices at your disposal!
“There are also plenty of local stables in this area which is great for those who love horses. Banchory also offers some excellent leisure amenities - particularly at Banchory Sports Village, which hosts a 25m swimming pool, gym, squash courts and 3 sports halls offering fitness classes. The Unit Gym is also extremely popular locally and there’s an abundance of clubs for the kids to enjoy - and Aberdeen is only about 25 minutes away which is ideal.”
What do you love most about the location?
“I think for me it’s the surroundings - the countryside and forests, or Scolty Hill overlooking the town - it’s so picturesque and a lovely, quiet setting to settle down in.”
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What sort of customer do you think would be well suited to Inchmarlo?
“So far I’ve had enquiries from every type of buyer; there have been upsizers, downsizers, families, young and retired couples, people already living in Banchory or those coming from further afield.”
“I think the reason for this is because the location is sought-after and our homes are made to a superior standard, so people know they’re going to achieve a high quality home in a really idyllic location.”
What are the local amenities like?
“From a practical perspective, the schools in Banchory are fantastic, along with a great doctor's surgery and dental practices. There’s a couple of supermarkets for everything you need day to day, as well as a new fishmonger and two butchers - one of them being Sheridan’s from Ballater which is a really good, renowned butchers, and the other is Meet the Meat who opened about a year ago after their first shop in Cove became so popular.
“In terms of what’s on the High Street in Banchory, you’ve got really good takeaway options, interior shops and your usual post office and grocers, hairdressers and beauty therapists - and a host of further independent shops and eateries. Strongwater is a really popular off-license owned and operated by two local guys, plus they also sell food and meal kits as well, which is very useful!
“There’s also The Butterfly Effect which opened recently - it’s a renewable, refillable shop so if you want to try and use less plastic they’re a must. There’s also Cleavin Barbers - another business who opened their first shop in Cove - a kid’s boutique, a country attire shop which has everything outdoorsy you could need, and lots of little gift shops. There are also fantastic food options with restaurants like The Cowshed, Banchory Lodge and the Tornacoille Hotel.
“The High Street has really grown in the last couple of years and has become even more attractive. You’re really spoiled for choice and as more people are looking to shop local, Banchory definitely ticks a lot of boxes in that sense. I think the fact that there are all these cool new businesses opening up and they’re willing to put their money into this location says a lot."
Have you had a lot of interest since launching Inchmarlo?
“It’s been a pretty popular development so far. With all the reservations I’ve taken, the clients are just so excited to watch the development progress. I have no doubt that once they see the development and the homes completed, they’re going to absolutely love it!"
Which is your favourite house type available at Inchmarlo?
“I think ‘The Rannoch’ is probably my favourite - it's our newest and grandest house type to date.
“I love the sheer size of ‘The Rannoch’ - it boasts an impressive 374m² of internal space and 6 bedrooms with so many fantastic internal features and a spectacular specification. As soon as you walk into the hall from the vestibule, you’ll be greeted by the striking sweeping staircase which will be absolutely stunning. I also love the garden room - it’s a brand new feature for some of our recent house types and a very versatile addition - you could use it as an office, home gym, bar or a casual lounge area as the lovely bi-folding doors overlook the garden.
“‘The Rannoch’ is also going to be our show home here at Inchmarlo. I can’t wait for people to actually see inside it for themselves, I have no doubt it will be an absolute showstopper!”
How would you describe the quality of the homes?
“The homes we’re building at Inchmarlo are the highest specification of homes that we've ever built as a company. In every home there’s an exceptionally high quality of finish, and in the larger house types, such as ‘The Rannoch’ and ‘The Torridon’, we’ve never seen a specification quite like this. The quality of a Kirkwood home, regardless of what site it’s on, is always built to an unrivalled specification but these homes at Inchmarlo are going to be even more special.
“The exterior of our homes will feature some stone elements, which will vary across the different house types - and will mean the outside aesthetics are as pleasing as the interiors.
“Inside, there are so many desirable features that give our homes a real wow factor. For example, we are using stunning freestanding baths in some of the homes at Inchmarlo, as well as vented induction hobs, upgraded taps and plenty of other luxurious features. There's a lot of subtle finishing touches that I think our customers are going to love.”
The marketing suite at Inchmarlo is now open for appointments, where Michelle can help you find your dream home at this exciting new development. Discover our range of luxury homes available to reserve at Inchmarlo below…
