Video: Hillhead, Midmar

Couple set to sell up for a new life Down Under

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DRAMATIC: Callum and Gail have made sure their new Australian property has similarly impressive views as their Midmar residence.

DESIGN: Gail personally took charge of the layout.

COOKING: Callum insisted on installing an Aga in the kitchen.

LOUNGE: The interior was kept deliberately neutral.

MOVING up in the world is a great feeling, just ask Callum and Gail Harper.

The couple built their dream home on top of a hill in Midmar, affording them some of the most breathtaking views in Aberdeenshire.

And the couple have got so used to the stunning outlook from their Hillhead home and farm, that even though they’re moving to the other side of the world, they’ll be living in a farm in an almost identical position.

“From Hillhead we can see Midmar Castle, Hill of Fare, and the Barmekin hill,” said 46-year-old designer Gail.

“Having those kind of views is addictive.

“Our home in Australia, two hours from Sydney, is on top of a hill with stunning, although very different, views.

“On most nights we can see 70 or 80 wild kangaroos just beyond our back garden, and we look out onto hills and over the city of Goulburn.”

Callum was brought up on the historic Mill Of Hole farm, at Midmar, which dates back to the 15th century.

His grandfather set up the farm, and it passed onto Callum’s father Ernest, before Callum inherited it.

But in 2001, Gail and Callum got the opportunity to develop an old cottage on Hillhead, half a mile away.

“The cottage had dampness in the walls and all our furniture kept going mouldy,” said 55-year-old farmer Callum.

“So we decided to pull it down and build our own place.”

Turning their dream home into a reality was a team effort.

Gail took care of the planning permission and design – things her business GH Sales and Design specialises in.

Gail said: “We designed the home around family needs and obviously with the fabulous views we included lots of windows, a sun room with wall-to-wall glass and French doors.”

Callum did a lot of the preparation work before getting builder, Bob Ross, in.

Callum, along with the help of sons Nick, 21, and Clark, 23, put in under-floor heating for the property, while Gail got on designing the rooms.

“Callum only had one request for the kitchen – an Aga.

“I’ve kept the interior neutral throughout, but have personalised it with pieces I’ve picked up from my travels around the world.

“Partly, because all the men in my family are over six feet, every part of the home is spacious – even the shower cubicles!”

The project was started in December 2001 and while the building work went on, the couple stayed in a caravan.

Callum said: “We were in that caravan for eight months and it was a nightmare.

“We were so glad to finally get into our new home.”

The property comes with a U-shaped steading, a grain store, a hay shed, a cottage, and two paddocks that extend to 15 acres.

There was also the foundation of an old cottage which they decided to utilise.

After living in the property for three years, Callum’s father Ernest came to stay.

But instead of moving into the house, the couple transformed one of the steading's into a three-bedroom home.

“His steading has incredible views and he loved sitting in his chair overlooking the ground he'd farmed for decades.”

Ernest was due to move out to Australia with the family, however, he sadly passed away in March this year.

But the move will go ahead as soon as the property is sold.

Gail said: “It’s a different and wonderful life there.

“We’ve spoken about it for many years and always had a reason not to.

“But now the kids have left school and are doing their own thing, we’re going for it.”