Tillyfour - Lot 1
Tough, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8DX
Guide Price
£4,800,000
Residential Tags: Georgian
Property Tags: Walled Garden
Land Tags: Arable Land, Fishing Rights and Lakes, Paddock, Pasture Land, Permanent Pasture, Woodland
Summary Details
- First Marketed: Jul 2022
- Removed: Date Not Available
- Residential Tags: Georgian
- Property Tags: Walled Garden
- Land Tags: Arable Land, Fishing Rights and Lakes, Paddock, Pasture Land, Permanent Pasture, Woodland
The ‘original home of the Aberdeen Angus breed’ - an exceptionally attractive livestock and arable farm
Description
Tillyfour is an exquisite Georgian house standing in a private position not only within the locality but also within the farm itself. The house enjoys a southerly aspect and fine views over the surrounding gardens and countryside beyond. It is approached from the main drive where a gated entrance leads to a sweeping, tree lined driveway where there is ample parking. A second back drive leads to the side of the house and the coach house.
The house is stone built with harled and painted walls beneath a pitched slate roof. In recent years the accommodation has been beautifully and sensitively refurbished to a very high standard. The period features have been preserved and restored while the owners have upgraded and re-configured the space for comfortable modern family living. The house retains much of its original charm with ceiling cornices, picture rails, timber floors and marble mantlepieces in the principal reception rooms. The accommodation is arranged over three floors, as shown on the accompanying layout plans and photographs.
The front door opens to a welcoming reception hall and from here the spacious accommodation flows. Of particular note is the dual aspect (south and west facing) drawing room which forms part of the west wing, a later addition to Tillyfour House, which was built ahead of Queen Victoria’s visit to Tillyfour in 1868. The drawing room has an open fire and fine views of the surrounding gardens. A connecting door opens from the drawing room to the dining room.
A welcoming and stylish kitchen sits at the eastern end of the house offering plenty of space for socialising and informal entertaining. The kitchen has a range of hand painted, fitted wall and floor units which are complemented by a freestanding island unit and an electric four oven AGA. Off the kitchen there is a comfortable family room with wood burning stove. A recent addition to the house is the timber-clad boot room and separate utility room which is used as the day to day entrance to the house. Outside this entrance is an electric car charging point.
Garden and Grounds - A fine stone staircase leads from the hall to the first floor where the primary bedroom accommodation lies. There is a wonderfully spacious principal bedroom and a stunning contemporary bathroom with a double walk in shower and a freestanding roll top bath. Completing the accommodation on the first floor are three double bedrooms and another bathroom. A further stair leads to the second floor where there are two more bedrooms.
A short distance from the end of the house is a two storey former coach house. The ground floor with its charming arched doorways now provides useful garaging and storage. A set of external stone steps leads to a comfortable apartment or additional overflow accommodation comprising a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Situated between the house and coach house there is a sheltered courtyard and greenhouse ideal for alfresco entertaining.
The house is surrounded by well maintained gardens providing a most magnificent setting. Mature shrubs and trees surround the perimeter offering shelter and privacy. To the front of the house there is a generous stone terrace with steps leading to the south facing gardens intersected by a holly tree lined path. The lawns on either side are flanked by mature beds, beech hedges and magnificent rhododendrons which are particularly colourful in the late spring and early summer months.
To the east of the house there is a charming walled garden which can be utilised for the production of fruit and vegetables or cut flowers for the house. To the rear of the house there is a further area of lawn and gravel sweep providing ample parking.
Beyond the gardens there is a 2 acre paddock known as the Bull Field. The name derives from Queen Victoria’s visit when the bulls were paraded for her viewing.
Land - Lot 1 extends to a total of 735 acres and comprises 548 acres of arable and temporary pasture land, 97 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing and 73 acres of woodland. All enclosures can be utilised for grazing and the vast majority can also be used for the production of silage and cereal crops. All fields are fenced and have a combination of water troughs or natural water supplies. The internal farm tracks are also fenced which allows for easy movement of stock to and from the centrally located steading.
The farmland is classified by the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research as Class 3(2) and 4(1) and rises from 190m above sea level to 300m above sea level. The soils are of the Tarves series which comprise brown forest soils and some humous iron podzols which are well suited for arable and permanent pasture.
Location
Tillyfour has an enviable position in rural Aberdeenshire. Private, yet accessible from the unclassified public road, Tillyfour occupies a slightly elevated position with far reaching views towards the Howe of Alford to the northwest and Craigievar Castle to the southwest. The landscape is typified by beautifully undulating farmland, punctuated with the occasional broadleaf tree copse and shelter belts, barley fields and grazing livestock.
Located in the northeast of Scotland, Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s largest and most diverse counties and extends from the North Sea coastline inland to the Cairngorm mountains which rise majestically to the west. Alford lies about 45 minutes’ drive west of Aberdeen (25 miles), nestled in the most attractive gently rolling countryside. Boasting fertile farmland, the area is renowned for producing award-winning livestock and all arable crops including malting barley which supplies many whisky distilleries in the region.
Aberdeen is a vibrant city with its oil and gas corporate headquarters, universities and colleges and provides all the services expected of a major city. Private schools include Robert Gordon’s College, the Hamilton School, St Margaret’s and The Albyn as well as the newly built International School of Aberdeen. Tillyfour is also well placed for easy access to Gordonstoun (private co-educational, day and boarding) which lies 42 miles to the northwest.
More locally, the small but growing town of Alford (5 miles) provides everyday facilities including a convenience store, doctor’s and veterinary surgeries, bank, post office, hotel, primary school and a new secondary school. The town also boasts a dry ski slope and the Grampian Transport Museum. The regional towns of Inverurie to the northeast and Banchory to the southeast, both 17 miles from the property, host additional amenities and facilities.
Aberdeenshire is a popular tourist destination for both the domestic and international market. Famous for first-class field sports including driven pheasant and partridge days, there are also a number of well managed grouse moors close by with hill and deer-forest stalking also available. The nearby rivers of Don and Dee, along with the rivers Deveron and Ythan to the north of the county, offer renowned salmon and sea trout fishing.
Tillyfour is well positioned to access a wealth of walking, hiking and cycling opportunities, including those offered within the Cairngorms National Park that attract many national and international visitors to the region each year. Away from the hills, there are distillery trails to follow and numerous golf courses in the county, with a local golf club at Alford, along with Trump International at Balmedie and Royal Aberdeen
Acreage: 735 Acres
Additional Info
History - Tillyfour has a longstanding history with Aberdeen Angus cattle and is proclaimed to be the birthplace of the breed. The connection dates back to 1805 when William McCombie was born at Home Farm, Tillyfour. William McCombie was educated locally followed by further education at Marischal College in Aberdeen. He returned to the family farm working as an employee within the family business which involved transporting cattle to the borders of Scotland and England for fattening. During the 1820s McCombie took on the lease of Tillyfour from his father and began to build up his own herd. McCombie combined Angus ‘Doddies’ with Aberdeen ‘Hummlies’ to produce the black, hornless Aberdeen Angus cattle we know today. The two breeds were combined for their resistance to harsh weather, their undemanding and adaptable good nature and for their nicely marbled beef. McCombie referred to the date he founded his herd as 1832 which was the year his cattle won first prize at exhibitions. McCombie won over 500 prizes throughout the UK and Europe. In 1867 there was a Royal visit by Queen Victoria to Tillyfour to officially recognise the Aberdeen Angus as a breed. Prior to her visit a new wing was added to Tillyfour House and it is reported that she sat in the drawing room (now the principal bedroom) to watch the cattle being paraded in the field (known as the Bull Field) to the front of the house. McCombie was reported to be the most renowned breeder, feeder and exhibitor of cattle in Europe and amongst the best in the world. This reputation also stretched to the farm itself with Tillyfour regarded by many to be the original home of the Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Marketed by: Savills, Edinburgh Country
Description
Tillyfour is an exquisite Georgian house standing in a private position not only within the locality but also within the farm itself. The house enjoys a southerly aspect and fine views over the surrounding gardens and countryside beyond. It is approached from the main drive where a gated entrance leads to a sweeping, tree lined driveway where there is ample parking. A second back drive leads to the side of the house and the coach house.
The house is stone built with harled and painted walls beneath a pitched slate roof. In recent years the accommodation has been beautifully and sensitively refurbished to a very high standard. The period features have been preserved and restored while the owners have upgraded and re-configured the space for comfortable modern family living. The house retains much of its original charm with ceiling cornices, picture rails, timber floors and marble mantlepieces in the principal reception rooms. The accommodation is arranged over three floors, as shown on the accompanying layout plans and photographs.
The front door opens to a welcoming reception hall and from here the spacious accommodation flows. Of particular note is the dual aspect (south and west facing) drawing room which forms part of the west wing, a later addition to Tillyfour House, which was built ahead of Queen Victoria’s visit to Tillyfour in 1868. The drawing room has an open fire and fine views of the surrounding gardens. A connecting door opens from the drawing room to the dining room.
A welcoming and stylish kitchen sits at the eastern end of the house offering plenty of space for socialising and informal entertaining. The kitchen has a range of hand painted, fitted wall and floor units which are complemented by a freestanding island unit and an electric four oven AGA. Off the kitchen there is a comfortable family room with wood burning stove. A recent addition to the house is the timber-clad boot room and separate utility room which is used as the day to day entrance to the house. Outside this entrance is an electric car charging point.
Garden and Grounds - A fine stone staircase leads from the hall to the first floor where the primary bedroom accommodation lies. There is a wonderfully spacious principal bedroom and a stunning contemporary bathroom with a double walk in shower and a freestanding roll top bath. Completing the accommodation on the first floor are three double bedrooms and another bathroom. A further stair leads to the second floor where there are two more bedrooms.
A short distance from the end of the house is a two storey former coach house. The ground floor with its charming arched doorways now provides useful garaging and storage. A set of external stone steps leads to a comfortable apartment or additional overflow accommodation comprising a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Situated between the house and coach house there is a sheltered courtyard and greenhouse ideal for alfresco entertaining.
The house is surrounded by well maintained gardens providing a most magnificent setting. Mature shrubs and trees surround the perimeter offering shelter and privacy. To the front of the house there is a generous stone terrace with steps leading to the south facing gardens intersected by a holly tree lined path. The lawns on either side are flanked by mature beds, beech hedges and magnificent rhododendrons which are particularly colourful in the late spring and early summer months.
To the east of the house there is a charming walled garden which can be utilised for the production of fruit and vegetables or cut flowers for the house. To the rear of the house there is a further area of lawn and gravel sweep providing ample parking.
Beyond the gardens there is a 2 acre paddock known as the Bull Field. The name derives from Queen Victoria’s visit when the bulls were paraded for her viewing.
Land - Lot 1 extends to a total of 735 acres and comprises 548 acres of arable and temporary pasture land, 97 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing and 73 acres of woodland. All enclosures can be utilised for grazing and the vast majority can also be used for the production of silage and cereal crops. All fields are fenced and have a combination of water troughs or natural water supplies. The internal farm tracks are also fenced which allows for easy movement of stock to and from the centrally located steading.
The farmland is classified by the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research as Class 3(2) and 4(1) and rises from 190m above sea level to 300m above sea level. The soils are of the Tarves series which comprise brown forest soils and some humous iron podzols which are well suited for arable and permanent pasture.
Location
Tillyfour has an enviable position in rural Aberdeenshire. Private, yet accessible from the unclassified public road, Tillyfour occupies a slightly elevated position with far reaching views towards the Howe of Alford to the northwest and Craigievar Castle to the southwest. The landscape is typified by beautifully undulating farmland, punctuated with the occasional broadleaf tree copse and shelter belts, barley fields and grazing livestock.
Located in the northeast of Scotland, Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s largest and most diverse counties and extends from the North Sea coastline inland to the Cairngorm mountains which rise majestically to the west. Alford lies about 45 minutes’ drive west of Aberdeen (25 miles), nestled in the most attractive gently rolling countryside. Boasting fertile farmland, the area is renowned for producing award-winning livestock and all arable crops including malting barley which supplies many whisky distilleries in the region.
Aberdeen is a vibrant city with its oil and gas corporate headquarters, universities and colleges and provides all the services expected of a major city. Private schools include Robert Gordon’s College, the Hamilton School, St Margaret’s and The Albyn as well as the newly built International School of Aberdeen. Tillyfour is also well placed for easy access to Gordonstoun (private co-educational, day and boarding) which lies 42 miles to the northwest.
More locally, the small but growing town of Alford (5 miles) provides everyday facilities including a convenience store, doctor’s and veterinary surgeries, bank, post office, hotel, primary school and a new secondary school. The town also boasts a dry ski slope and the Grampian Transport Museum. The regional towns of Inverurie to the northeast and Banchory to the southeast, both 17 miles from the property, host additional amenities and facilities.
Aberdeenshire is a popular tourist destination for both the domestic and international market. Famous for first-class field sports including driven pheasant and partridge days, there are also a number of well managed grouse moors close by with hill and deer-forest stalking also available. The nearby rivers of Don and Dee, along with the rivers Deveron and Ythan to the north of the county, offer renowned salmon and sea trout fishing.
Tillyfour is well positioned to access a wealth of walking, hiking and cycling opportunities, including those offered within the Cairngorms National Park that attract many national and international visitors to the region each year. Away from the hills, there are distillery trails to follow and numerous golf courses in the county, with a local golf club at Alford, along with Trump International at Balmedie and Royal Aberdeen
Acreage: 735 Acres
Additional Info
History - Tillyfour has a longstanding history with Aberdeen Angus cattle and is proclaimed to be the birthplace of the breed. The connection dates back to 1805 when William McCombie was born at Home Farm, Tillyfour. William McCombie was educated locally followed by further education at Marischal College in Aberdeen. He returned to the family farm working as an employee within the family business which involved transporting cattle to the borders of Scotland and England for fattening. During the 1820s McCombie took on the lease of Tillyfour from his father and began to build up his own herd. McCombie combined Angus ‘Doddies’ with Aberdeen ‘Hummlies’ to produce the black, hornless Aberdeen Angus cattle we know today. The two breeds were combined for their resistance to harsh weather, their undemanding and adaptable good nature and for their nicely marbled beef. McCombie referred to the date he founded his herd as 1832 which was the year his cattle won first prize at exhibitions. McCombie won over 500 prizes throughout the UK and Europe. In 1867 there was a Royal visit by Queen Victoria to Tillyfour to officially recognise the Aberdeen Angus as a breed. Prior to her visit a new wing was added to Tillyfour House and it is reported that she sat in the drawing room (now the principal bedroom) to watch the cattle being paraded in the field (known as the Bull Field) to the front of the house. McCombie was reported to be the most renowned breeder, feeder and exhibitor of cattle in Europe and amongst the best in the world. This reputation also stretched to the farm itself with Tillyfour regarded by many to be the original home of the Aberdeen Angus cattle.
Marketed by: Savills, Edinburgh Country
Land Registry Data
- No historical data found.