BENNACHIE offers a dramatic backdrop on the skyline, while all around birds chirp from the treetops.
It’s an idyllic scene which the Wiggins family experience every day – simply by stepping outside their house.
Harlaxton is their stunning four-bedroom home, surrounded by countryside, just a few minutes drive from the village of Alford.
“The best thing about this house is its rural location,” said Shiona, mum to Sarra, 21, Kris, 17, and Sophie, 8.
“It’s handy for Alford and is just 30 minutes drive from Dyce where my husband works, but at the same time we are surrounded by space, peace and quiet.”
Shiona, 45, and Kenny, 47, manager of an oil and gas company, bought Harlaxton two-and-a-half years ago.
Originally from the Central Belt, they had been staying in Daviot before spotting the potential offered by this four-bedroom house.
“It was very dated when we first looked at it,” said full-time mum Shiona. “The bedrooms were all bright green, brown and purple and it needed redecorating from top to bottom.
“It also had trees surrounding it that had been there since the house was built.
“We had to look beyond these things and imagine it decorated to our taste.”
A dab hand at interior design herself, Shiona opted for neutral shades with subtle splashes of colour throughout. She used accessories to lift the mood of the rooms – like the striking print of Brooklyn Bridge in New York which adorns the lounge wall, a reminder of a family holiday.
She and Kenny chose to put down solid oak flooring and added a new utility room and en-suite.
And the overwhelming canopy of trees outside was cut back, to let lots of natural light into the garden and make the most of the space available.
The garden is a true highlight of this superb home, covering a third of an acre and extending all around the house.
Inside, the house has several stunning areas, like the wonderful dining kitchen space, which is on open plan with a family area.
And the lounge was so big the family had toyed with the thought of splitting it into two rooms, before becoming so accustomed to the extra space they decided to keep it.
“In the kitchen we have Amtico flooring and I was looking for a colour I could bring out of it for the walls in the family area. I eventually settled on a shade of blue which is quite subtle in the flooring, but it’s there.”
An unexpected job opportunity out of the blue has meant the Wiggins family are relocating to Fife – but they’ll be back!
“We’ve made lots of friends in the area and the children will be keeping in touch with their pals too,” added Shiona.
mcjones@ajl.co.uk