Detached house for sale in Bridgend, Isle Of Islay, Argyll And Bute PA44.

The a-listed property is situated in a private position facing southwest, overlooking its magnificent gardens and beyond to the coast and Rhinns mountains, with unparalleled sunset views. It is approached off the main road via a private driveway which is flanked by pristine lawns, terminating in
a gravel car park at the front, with additional gravel parking at the rear.

The renovation of the house over the course of three years by the current owners was significant. This included re-wiring, re-plumbing, a new drainage system, new central heating system with new oil boiler, new fire safety sprinkler system, connection to a mains water supply (previously private) and also some re-roofing. Previously 27 bedrooms, the refurbishment was carried out to create eleven spacious and characterful bedroom suites over three storeys. The newly installed services have the capacity to serve the remaining 16 bedrooms in the original planning permission if the purchaser decides to redevelop the remainder of the accommodation. On the first floor is the very attractive Piano Room/Sitting Room with coastal views and an open fireplace. The eleven bedroom suites have been refurbished to a very high standard, each with their own character, view and benefiting from either a free-standing bath and a
separate shower, or a large shower room. The suites are situated over three storeys (one suite on ground floor, four suites on the first floor and six suites on the second floor). As well as benefiting from a two bedroom Butler's flat on the first floor, there is the opportunity to refurbish the remaining
accommodation (16 en suite bedrooms) over the ground, first, second and third floors.

Courtyard
To the north of the central section of the house is a courtyard with a range of stores connecting the house to the Gamekeeper's Cottage. There is also a smaller courtyard with doors off to a former game larder and dairy.

Gamekeepers Cottage
To the rear of the house is a cottage comprising a living room, kitchen, utility room bathroom and four bedrooms. It is currently used as staff accommodation.

Boathouse
Near the main entrance is a stone building previously used as a boathouse and now used for storage. Potential uses include as a store or additional accommodation, subject to any usual planning consents.

Gardens and grounds
Islay House sits in over 28 acres of mature gardens. In front of the house are extensive lawns, flanked by banks of rhododendrons. To the west of the house is a block of open woodland including rhododendrons and spring bulbs, boasting some of Scotland's best displays of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells, all of which carpet the ground in their season and have historically been harvested every three years, with historical income of between £5-10,000. In the past, over 1,000 young trees were planted by the previous owners to supplement the natural regeneration.

The grounds continue east of the house down to the main entrance with equally beautiful displays of seasonal flowers. There is further woodland with some fine mature trees which are believed to be remnants of a medieval forest.
In the corner of the grounds is a very large (circa five acre) sheltered walled garden. Originally known as “the Kitchen Garden”, the garden dates back to the 1700s. Its historic primary function was to supply the residents of Islay House with fresh produce and it was subsequently revitalised in the 2000s. In addition to large growing areas, there is a former Victorian glasshouse that could be restored, plus fruit netting, an orchard and an ornamental area housing various UK champion trees. Finally, there is a rustic small gardener's bothy with mains water and electricity.

Islay House is situated just outside the small village of Bridgend at the head of Loch Indaal at the centre of Islay with a dramatic outlook down the loch and out to sea.
Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean islands off the West Coast of Scotland, with a population of around 3,228 people, and can be accessed by ferry or air. It is known as the 'Queen of the Hebrides' for its natural beauty.
Bridgend is 0.5 miles away and has a shop, hotel and petrol station. The main village on the island, Bowmore, is 3 miles away and offers more extensive services including a range of shops, supermarkets, high school, banks, as well as hotels, restaurants, a leisure centre and the island's hospital. Bowmore also has a sheltered harbour. Islay is famous for a number of things, perhaps primarily its whisky. Islay is one of the five whisky distilling regions in Scotland. There are currently nine active distilleries on the island (Ardbeg, Ardnahoe, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig) and the whisky industry is the island's second largest employer after agriculture.
There are at least two new distilleries under development, Portintruan and Port Ellen, as well as significant investment on the island to increase production of existing distilleries and to add world-class visitor experiences, including the new Johnnie Walker experience at Caol Ila. An annual whisky
and music festival known as F?is Ile is held over 10 days at the end of May attracting over 10,000 visitors. The island is also famed for its golf. Nestled within the dunes of a pristine
seven mile beach on the west coast of the island, The Machrie is a world championship golf links, as well as a very comfortable 47 bedroom hotel. The neighbouring Isle of Jura is also home to the new Ardfin golf course, which has been ranked as one of Scotland's top courses alongside The
Machrie. The Island is popular for birdwatchers with two rspb reserves where a range of Hebridean birds can be seen, including Greenland barnacle and white-fronted geese, choughs, corncrakes and hen harriers.
There are also sea safari trips during the summer months with regular sightings of sea eagles, wild otters, seals, dolphins, basking sharks and whales.