ADMIRING this stunning Whitecairns property, you would never believe how different it looked five years ago.
Now an impressive five-bedroom steading with sea views, it also has a lovely rich decor.
But when Cameron Davie bought it, it wasn’t even habitable.
“Half of it was a barn and the other half was derelict,” said Cameron, 42, who owns Aberdeen Trade Services.
“When I bought it, I was looking for a project to really get my teeth into and this was it.
“A lot of the walls had to be taken down so it wasn’t even like I was keeping the entire outer shell. But being in the building trade, I knew what I wanted to do and I was able to do it in my own time.”
Originally from Bucksburn, Cameron rented a property in Westhill while he worked on his project.
But after making a start on the plans in January 2005, he was hit with some terrible news – he had testicular cancer.
Rather than abandoning the steading, Cameron found it gave him something positive to focus on.
He said: “As I was at the planning stage, I asked to put things off for a few weeks as I had to go into hospital.
“They were able to remove the tumour and I found this project gave me something to take my mind off what was happening.
“I got the go ahead for the work around May, started in June and I finally moved in a year later.”
After such a strenuous period of time, Cameron was happy to settle in and spend time with his five-year-old daughter Annabelle, from a previous relationship.
“Annabelle lives with her mum in Kingswells and comes to visit me here,” he said.
“She loves all the space and goes daft running about the house and the garden.
“I can see that this is really a family home, which is how I’d like to see it used next.
“I can go for weeks where I don’t even see some of the rooms and I feel it’s right that someone else can get the use of it now.”
Braehead of Overhill is a bright property, filled with natural light by the many well-placed windows.
The master bedroom is particularly light and airy, with dual aspect windows showing off the countryside beyond.
And the property is big and spacious throughout, with plenty of room for a growing family to make the most of the peaceful setting.
Cameron, who is looking for another project, will miss the panoramic views when he leaves.
“The house is in an elevated position and so it gets the best of both worlds,” he added.
“You have country views and sea views – and you can see out to the sand dunes of the Donald Trump development.
“From the bedroom I can even lie and watch the Shetland ferry sailing out. But the time is right for me to move on.”