St Mary's - Bell Ingram

4
St Mary’s
Situation
St Mary’s is beautifully located in Glen Creran - a stunning private and peaceful riverside location.
The property is situated close to the head of Loch Creran, a loch of 7 miles long which connects
with the Lynn of Lorn via the narrows at the Isle of Eriska. The local area is steeped in myth and
legend, and was one of the settings for Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Kidnapped”.
Nowadays the area around Appin and Glen Creran is a haven for tourists and those wishing to
settle permanently in an area of natural beauty. With stunning scenery, the area is a combination of
soaring mountains, dense forestry, rich agricultural land and quiet sea lochs.
With abundant wildlife including both golden and sea eagles, deer, seals and otters to name but a
few, the area is also a centre for outdoor pursuits including walking, mountain biking, skiing, fishing,
sailing and diving.
In spite of the beautiful scenery and rural surroundings, the area is far from isolated from everyday
conveniences. The property is situated not far from the main Fort William to Oban public road.
Local facilities and amenities can be found at nearby villages, whilst Oban and Fort William are
thriving local towns which offer a range of shopping and leisure facilities, professional offices and
businesses, primary and secondary schools, hospitals, churches of various denominations and
good travel links by rail, sea, bus and air.
The adjacent hill area is owned by the National Conservancy and the Forestry Commission and
access paths exist.
Directions
From Oban, take the A85 towards Connel. In Connel, turn right onto the A828 and after crossing
the bridge, continue on following the signs for Fort William, until arriving at Creagan Bridge. On
crossing the bridge take the right hand exit signposted for Invercreran and follow the road up the
glen. When you get to the bridge at the bottom of the road carry on down the glen to Invercreran
and St Mary’s is on the left hand side overlooking the river.
Description
St Mary’s is a truly unique property set in a stunning location. Accessed directly off the public road
by a short private driveway, the property comprises a former church and rectory (known as St
Mary’s), which was built in 1873 and converted to residential use in the mid 1970’s. The property is
mainly constructed of stone walls with sandstone facings set under pitched and slated roofs,
complete with bell tower and church crosses. To the rear, further extensions have been added.
Internally, the property has been converted to a private residence, and although the interiors would
benefit from some upgrading and modernisation, the building appears to be sound and offers the
successful purchaser the opportunity to acquire a home that is rich in character and history.
The accommodation is spacious, versatile and extensive, and would be ideally suited for a
permanent home as well as a holiday let, development or investment project.
The ground floor accommodation comprises a spacious sitting room which has a large recessed
fireplace with a domed ceiling and extensive wood panelling. This is an attractive and cosy room
which faces south east and has good views to the front of the property.
There is a light and pleasant dining room with triple windows to the front, and a sizeable kitchen
with space for a dining table and a door to the rear garden. There is also a small vestry and a
ground floor shower room. An inner hall gives access to the first floor as some of the ground floor
accommodation and the rear garden.
Entered from the inner hall, and central to the property is the stunning library, dining and drawing
room which is in the former church hall. With wooden floorboards and book-lined walls, as well as
an original arched stained glass window, presently with family heraldic shields, and wiring for a
central chandelier, gothic arches and a graceful wooden vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden
beams, this is an extraordinarily dramatic and unique feature which offers the successful purchaser
a living space of architectural importance. At one end of the hall is a seating area with a tiled and
recessed fireplace with wood burning stove. There is ample space for dining and entertaining on a
lavish scale.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms, all of which are tranquil and have lovely views of the surrounding
area and gardens. The master bedroom has fitted cupboards and bedroom 4 has a wash hand
basin. There is a family bathroom with coloured bathroom suite.
Externally, the property sits in mature, well established gardens amounting to approximately 2 acres
(0.81 ha). A driveway leads to the front of the house where there is a parking and turning area.
There are lovely views to the front of the River Creran, and a large lawned area to the side. The
garden is abundant with trees, bushes and plants, with acers, rhododendrons, conifers, a cherry
tree, fruit trees, buddleia and camellias, to name a few. To the rear is natural woodland,
predominantly planted with ash. There is a burn with a bridge over it and a summerhouse.
The accommodation with approximate sizes (for guidance purposes only) is as follows:-
Steps up to fully glazed double doors.
Hall 1.65m (max) x 2.07m (max)
Doors to sitting room and dining room. Wood panelled walls and ceiling. Smoke detector.
Pendant light.
Sitting Room 5.20m (max) x 5.15m (max)
Dual aspect with single glazed sash and case windows (SE) to front and (SW) to side. Large
recessed fireplace with domed ceiling and wood panelling. Wooden fire surround and mantel.
Stone hearth. Open fire with stainless steel hood. Large walk-in storage cupboard. Telephone
point. Two radiators. Two matching wall lights. Pendant light.
Dining Room 3.01m x 4.31m
Single glazed windows (SE) to front. Door to inner hall. Radiator. Pendant light.