Eden Lodge, Dallas, Forres, Moray, IV36 2RW

Property Summary

Situated in truly the most idyllic rural location, Eden Lodge is an outstanding, 4/5-bed detached eco-build home with the most stunning, south-facing views across fields and woodland.  With approximately 2 acres of ground, Eden Lodge offers the opportunity to live in a beautiful countryside location yet just minutes from all the amenities of both Elgin and Forres.  Built in 2018 this lovely home has been constructed with passivehaus standards in mind, with high levels of insulation, triple glazing and sited to maximise solar gain.

Energy efficiency measures include 3 sets of south-facing, triple glazed, French doors on the ground floor to optimise solar gain, supplemented by the curved, wood burning stove with exposed flu, and back boiler, in the open plan living/dining/kitchen.  With further triple glazing throughout and wooden floors, Eden Lodge has been built to an extremely high standard.  Offering a superb opportunity to move towards self-sustainability there are two poly tunnels, one measuring approximately 8m x 25m, a large, insulated, wooden garage with a floored upper level, a further wooden outbuilding, multiple raised beds, fruit trees and a pond.

Accommodation comprises boot room, utility room, shower room, open plan dining/kitchen/living room, and 2 bedrooms on the ground floor with a further 3 bedrooms (1 en suite) and bathroom on the upper floor.

Accommodation

The north side of the house has a deep overhang on the roof, providing a covered, outdoor porch area leading to the front door. Entering through a half-glazed wooden door into the boot room.

Boot Room (1.7m x 3.8m)

A substantial, convenient boot room with fitted shelves and coat hooks making this an ideal spot to shed outdoor shoes and coats.  A glazed door leads into the bright, open plan dining/kitchen/living room.

Dining/Kitchen/Living Room (4.6m x 7.9m)

Truly the heart of the house, this stunning room with wooden floors and 2 sets of double French doors opens out to a substantial deck that runs the length of the house.

The kitchen area offers a wide range of modern, dark grey, lower and upper cabinets contrasted against a wooden countertop.  With integrated dishwasher, oven and hob, there is a further space for a large free-standing fridge/freezer.

The dining area has ample space for a table seating 6, whilst a deep breakfast bar provides further seating for 3.

The sitting area has a curved wood burning stove set on a Caithness slate hearth as a lovely feature.  The wood burning stove is fitted with a back boiler to provide hot water.

The room is wonderfully bright and has a mezzanine seat area above.

Bedroom 1 (3.9m x 3.7m)

With lovely south-facing views across the garden and pond this ample double bedroom, with double French doors leading to the deck, is equally suited as a snug/living room, playroom or home office.

Bedroom 2 (4.0m x 3.5m)

A bright dual aspect double bedroom with a long north-facing window and further east-facing window.  A quadruple wardrobe provides ample storage and hanging space.

Utility Room (2.5m x 2.0m) / Wet Room (2.1m x 2.5m)


A fabulous workspace with a single sink beneath the window looking towards the fields.  Ample built-in lower and upper cupboards, with long cupboards providing a great space for vacuum cleaner and ironing board.  Under counter plumbing for washing machine.  A door leads into an accessible wet room with a 2-piece white suite comprising WC and basin inset to a modern bathroom cabinet with a walk-in rainfall shower and heated towel rail.  The walls and floors are entirely tiled for ease of cleaning.

Upstairs

Carpeted stairs, with a wooden handrail and spindles painted white, open to a sunny mezzanine area with 2 large Velux windows providing fabulous light.

The mezzanine area (3.9m x 2.8m)

This area has ample room for a lovely seating area and could be a wonderful home office space.  The exposed flue from the wood burning stove below allows heat to permeate the upper area.  The mezzanine area provides access to 3 bedrooms and the family bathroom.

Bedroom 3 (4.0m x 3.7m)

A bright, dual aspect bedroom with a large south-facing Velux window and a further window to the east, providing beautiful views over fields of horses, to the hills and woodland in the distance.  The yellow flowering gorse provides an explosion of colour against the variegated green of the woods.  A deep cupboard houses the hot water tank and solar control panels.

Bedroom 4 (4.0m x 3.5m)

An ample, dual aspect double bedroom with an east-facing window and further Velux window inset to the ceiling.

Family Bathroom (2.4m x 3.4m)

A spacious bathroom housing a 3-piece white suite comprising WC, rectangular wash hand basin inset to a countertop with six spacious drawers beneath, and a bath. The bath with central taps has a mains rainfall shower with hand attachment above.  All four walls are tiled for ease of cleaning.

Principal Bedroom (3.9m x 4.7m)

A beautiful, bright double bedroom with large, south-facing Velux window and a further east-facing window looking out across fields of sheep and woodland.  Door to ensuite.

Ensuite (2.5m x 2.2m)

With a 3-piece white suite comprising pedestal basin, WC and bath with mains shower above this is a lovely, private ensuite.

Gardens and Outbuildings

It’s hard to imagine what else anyone could need with respect to the grounds and outbuildings of Eden Lodge.  A 2-storey wooden garage provides a fabulous workspace, gym or potentially additional accommodation.  Measuring 7.8m x 4.7m, this fully insulated wooden structure has a single door to the side and double wooden doors towards the driveway.  2 south-facing windows provide excellent light, and the ground floor is concreted with a wide range of upper and lower units to one wall.  A single sink with hot water heater.  A fitted wooden ladder leads to the upper floor which has light and electricity with a gable-end window providing natural light.

A further wooden outbuilding (2.6m x 5m) provides great storage for bikes or wood for the wood burning stove. 2 polytunnels, one measuring (5m x 9m) and the other measuring (8m x 26m) provide a superb opportunity for protected growing all year round.  Both polytunnels have double doors to either end to allow for airflow.

The grounds of Eden lodge are truly fabulous, offering absolute peace and tranquillity. In the front garden nothing was heard apart from bird song and the breeze through the trees. The views are uplifting, with long views over farmland in the valley to the rolling hills and woodland beyond.

The grounds offer a superb mix of manicured lawn and paddock which has been left to grow wild with paths cut through. A pond to the front of the house provides a watering hole for birds and passing wildlife. Primarily south facing Eden Lodge captures the sun at all times of day. To the North side a stone chip driveway leads to a paved area and providing parking for multiple vehicles.

The lovely village of Rafford sits approximately 3 miles southeast of Forres. It has fantastic access for a wide range of outdoor activities such as riding, walking, cycling and is only 7 miles from Findhorn which offers superb beaches, sailing, cafes and a wonderful theatre. There is a wonderful community feel with the village hall offering a wide range of activities from yoga, to coffee mornings and film nights. Immediately adjacent to Rafford is Newtyle Forest, providing approximately 1700 acres of Forestry Commission managed woodlands with superb opportunities for horse riding, walking and cycling.

Forres, approximately 3 miles away is a thriving small town in the northeast of Scotland. With an active high street offering butchers, bakers, cafes, gift shops, hairdressers, a tailor, post office and grocery shops, it continues to offer a wide selection of services. The town boasts large parks and woodland walks, having been placed, or won, the relevant section of Britain in Bloom on multiple occasions. Primary and secondary schooling is available in the town, with the Drumduan Steiner school offering alternative education and Gordonstoun private school a mere 11 miles away with transport available daily.

Healthcare is available in Forres with hospitals in Elgin (12 miles) and Inverness (26) miles. Transport links are excellent with a regular bus running between Aberdeen and Inverness, a train station also on the main line between Aberdeen and Inverness and airports in both Inverness and Aberdeen providing daily flights to domestic and international destinations.

Please note that all measurements and distances are approximate and provided for guidance only.