Highland Escape to the Country


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Welcome to a blustery and chilly Escape to the Country.

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We're starting within the walls of one of the most impressive examples

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of 18th-century military architecture anywhere in the UK.

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But, as ever, the question is, where are we?

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Join me in a few moments and I'll tell you.

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On today's show, we're helping a couple leave behind the daily grind

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for somewhere more stimulating to their senses.

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Smell the newness!

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'There are strange sights.'

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It's an unusual shape!

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'And the right sort of sounds.'

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-You've cheered me up, actually, with that price ticket.

-Good.

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Well, today, I'm in the Highlands of Scotland

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and this is Fort George, just outside Inverness.

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This impressive fortress, surrounded by up to a mile of perimeter walls,

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was once home to 2,000 men

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and defended by 40 cannon.

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It was built back in 1746

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following the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden.

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The idea was to try and quell future Scottish unrest.

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The good news is that since then, the Highlands have remained relatively peaceful

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and it's that now famous peace and tranquillity

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that make this area such a popular place in which to get away from it all.

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The crowning glory of the UK,

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the Highlands is the mountainous region lying in the far northern portion of Scotland.

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Cutting the land diagonally is Loch Ness,

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part of the great glen that almost splits Scotland in two.

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The loch is the largest freshwater lake in Britain,

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reaching depths of over 700 feet,

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and its surrounding hills soar to the sky by the same amount.

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On the banks of the River Ness,

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Inverness is affectionately known as the capital of the Highlands.

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It was given city status in the year 2000

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and is the most northerly city in Scotland.

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With scenery ranging from spectacular glens

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to snow-capped mountains,

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this area teems with natural beauty, mystery,

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and some of the UK's most dramatic backdrops imaginable.

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You know, usually, when we come to areas that are impossibly beautiful,

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we expect house prices to go through the roof.

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But not here. And that's because its relatively remote geographic location

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and low population density

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has combined over the years to keep house prices very, very affordable.

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Your average property around Inverness, for example,

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will cost you about £160,000

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and that is on a par with the national average for the entire UK

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as a whole.

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But as with anywhere, of course, there can be exceptions,

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particularly around the shores of Loch Ness

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or, indeed, within the borders of the Cairngorms National Park.

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There you might expect to add another 20 per cent.

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But even so, it's still very, very attractive.

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It's that heady combination of beauty and affordability

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that's persuaded today's buyers

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to make the Highlands their new home.

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And our couple, Steve and Helinka,

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couldn't be much further away from Scotland

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as they currently live in the town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire,

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right down in south-eastern England.

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For almost two decades,

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home has been this three-bedroomed 1960s bungalow.

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But for the past five years, they've been planning a radical change.

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One of the key reasons for wanting to move

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is that we've holidayed for the last ten years in Scotland.

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We're absolutely in love with the scenery,

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the mountain vista.

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The fresh air is just brilliant

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and just getting away from town life

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is ideally what we want.

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We've lived in commuter land for long enough now

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and it's time to pursue other things in the countryside.

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The proximity to London has had its benefits, however,

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allowing them to plough their energies into their careers.

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Helinka as a local government officer,

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and Steve running his own Health and Safety consultancy.

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So now, despite their age,

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they can afford to semi-retire and focus on their real loves.

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We've developed a passion for skiing over the last five or six years

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as we've become more competent skiers.

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It would be great to get the skis on and get out there, really.

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But when it comes to the house, German shepherds Jack and Lily

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are a high priority.

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What we've really struggled with here

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it trying to keep the house being covered in dog splashes and dog hair and things like that.

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Having dogs, it's a must to have a utility room.

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A garage is essential.

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I've now got a collection of three motorbikes.

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They are motorbikes that I ride. I don't collect bikes just to look at.

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I ride bikes. And the roads in Scotland are phenomenal for riding motorcycles.

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Leaving Steve in the garage with his motors,

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Helinka wants to get hands on with some Scottish dirt under her nails.

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I'd like the opportunity to do a lot more gardening.

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Although I grow bits and pieces here,

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and I've tried growing things in pots, which is fairly limited,

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but I've had a bit of success, which is quite motivating.

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I'm a very keen amateur photographer

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and moving to Scotland would open more opportunities

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to actually pursue that hobby

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and take more panoramic shots

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of the tremendous scenery that Scotland offers.

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All that remains, then,

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is to find out the budget they've earmarked for this Highlands move.

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If you can find us the right house with the right view

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with a price band between 300,000 and £375,000,

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-I think we'll both be very happy.

-Definitely.

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Steve and Helinka would like to move to an area close to the Cairngorms National Park.

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So our house search will focus in the region to the west of the Park

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and in the majestic countryside surrounding Loch Ness.

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So we're all meeting up on Scottish turf

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to finalise the specifics of their prospective move.

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Well, Helinka, Steve, welcome to Scotland.

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Or I should probably say, "Welcome back to Scotland".

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This is a part of the world you do know very well.

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-Very much so.

-On your travels up here, have you managed to glean some clear idea

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of the sort of property that would really be of interest for you?

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We're looking for somewhere with lots of space

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that allows us to walk around, but we can still go shopping if we need to.

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We may want to pop and maybe find part-time work or develop businesses.

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So we don't want to be too remote and be away from people totally,

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but we do want to be fairly remote.

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And something with the beautiful outlook to take in and say, "That's our view."

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Well, we're not short of views up here, that has to be said!

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You hinted on the idea that you may be starting up some sort of business.

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Can you give me an idea of what that might involve?

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Maybe a property with an opportunity to have a holiday let.

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I don't really want to do bed and breakfast,

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but an opportunity to make a bit of money.

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-We thought about maybe motorbike touring holidays.

-Yes.

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We're fairly open-minded, really.

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-Three bedrooms?

-Yeah, about that.

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Not very much more than that. We're not looking at a massive property.

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Somewhere with some nice, light, open space,

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nice big kitchen/diner, presumably, for you and the dogs.

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I imagine that's the sort of space you would use most of the time?

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We're not that fussed about having a separate dining room.

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-The kitchen will be the hub.

-We've got three to show you, including our mystery house.

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There's a bit of snow on the ground behind us. I hope that's not going to get worse!

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-The sun is shining.

-It's a beautiful day. Look forward to it.

-Come on, then.

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Armed with a top budget of £375,000,

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Steve and Helinka are after a home with at least three bedrooms...

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..a separate utility room to help with their two dogs

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and decent garage space for Steve's motorbike collection.

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A bonus would be some business potential

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but fundamental to their move is the outlook.

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They must have an awe-inspiring view.

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And we have a superb variety of Highland properties to serve up,

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all with views as a top priority,

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but I'll be keeping the price a guessing game

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until we've had a good look round first.

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Then, to finish up, we've got the mystery house,

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which delivers on views and a whole lot more.

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Look at that. Isn't it just stunning?

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It's beautiful, isn't it?

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-It is one of these places which is just so mesmerising.

-Hmm.

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It's quite mythical, almost.

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Or mystical. There's something about the mountains that takes your breath away.

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I think it's because there's a timeless feel about it.

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Something almost primeval. Nothing really has changed.

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We're starting our property search north of Loch Ness

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on the outskirts of Kiltarlity.

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Around six miles away, Beauly is the nearest place to pick up provisions

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with a range of shops including a supermarket.

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This historic town can trace its origins back to the founding of a now ruinous priory

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way back in the 13th century.

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But our journey takes us up to higher ground

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in which our first property takes pride of place.

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So there we go. Property number one.

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In splendid isolation.

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-With a view!

-A spectacular view!

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With a view, yeah. That's Glen Affric, over there.

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The beginning of Glen Affric which is a beautiful walk, if you haven't done it already.

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Absolutely stunning,

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with the snow on it, just to set the scene.

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And we've got you this property which, actually, is enormous.

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It's got about 14 separate rooms in it!

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-Wow!

-Really?

-14!

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Not including the garage, Steve!

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-All important.

-All important.

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So we've taken care of the bikes. What are your first impressions?

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-Um...

-Very impressed.

-I love the view!

-Yep.

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You're beaming, aren't you? That's what the house is about!

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-Shall we have a look?

-Yeah.

-Let's do it.

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'Built in the early 1980s,

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'this deceptively large chalet bungalow

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'is partly furnished and in need of some modernisation.

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'So Steve and Helinka will have to use their imaginations

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'to see how they could make the space work for them.'

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Come in. It's warmer, in here! Thank goodness!

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I don't normally loiter in hallways, but this is worth taking in.

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Because it's kind of surprising, in a way.

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From what you see on the outside, to find something as spacious as this.

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But in terms of a way to greet you, what are your first thoughts?

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It's almost a room in itself.

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This is one of the 14 that I counted up.

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There's another one here. Come and have a look.

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This is currently seen as the main living room.

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Over there is a working open fire. So wood or coal.

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It's a decent-sized room and it's a good shape.

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-So far, so good?

-So far, so good.

-Come on, then.

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This is the kitchen.

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Which is a bit of an odd one, in a way.

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Helinka's nodding her head, yes.

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-It would benefit from being re-thought, I think!

-Definitely!

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You could open the whole thing right up

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and it could even go possibly through there.

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That's a way, too, and end up with a much bigger kitchen area if you wanted it.

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Through there is a really generous utility room

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with a downstairs shower.

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So I'm thinking muddy dogs, they could be out there quiet and comfortably.

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Right. So this is a bit of a thing on the list.

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But let's continue our exploration through here.

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This one is interesting. This, the current owners had used as their master bedroom

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-because it had access out to the garden.

-Right.

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With these double doors.

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But there is another master bedroom upstairs, and I would turn this into another reception room

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or a snug or study, or whatever.

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It's a very attractive view through the doors, so why wouldn't you?

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I think there's a lot of opportunity here.

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It's not unpleasant as it is,

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-and I think it would allow you to grow into it.

-Yeah. Good.

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Well, you're going to have lots of time on your hands to do this!

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'Including this room with double doors out to the back,

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'there are a further three rooms down on the ground floor

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'that have been designated as bedrooms

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'and all are served by a large family bathroom.

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'The remaining three bedrooms are all up on the first floor.'

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So we've got one in here.

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Very colourful! Boy's room, as it were.

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And another one in there.

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-Yep.

-They've all got these great skylights in them.

-Mm-hm.

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And this is the master bedroom, complete with en-suite.

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Shower in there, too.

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Yes, have a look.

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It's an unusual shape!

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It is. The only thing I can say in its defence

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is that it does allow you yet more windows to enjoy the views.

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Which obviously just get better the higher up you get in here.

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So how are we doing, out of ten, on property number one, Helinka?

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-I would say seven.

-Seven.

-Seven.

-Steve?

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Downstairs, very good. Disappointed with upstairs.

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-I'm hedging my bets on a six.

-A six.

-I won't make a seven.

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Let's see if we can get a few more points in the garden. Come and have a look.

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'No doubt another taste of that view should bump up the ratings.

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'So that's exactly where we're headed.

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'Outside, the grounds extend to around 1.5 acres.

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'It's been divided into formal and wild gardens

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'with several paved and gravelled areas.

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'In Scotland, properties are usually marketed on an "offers over" basis

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'and although 20% over is a general rule of thumb,

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'there are no rules to say that a lower offer would be refused.'

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So, let's have a think about the value of it.

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What would be a realistic asking price, do you think,

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for property one, Helinka?

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I wish you hadn't started with me!

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I would say, um... 325.

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-325, yeah. Steve?

-I'm going to go 315, actually.

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-315.

-Yeah.

-OK.

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That's very interesting. I think you're rather prudent, actually.

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Because this is on the market for offers over 300,000.

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Right. There's a difference between my 315 and your 325

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gives us the scope to actually do what we want to do!

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I would say, to be honest, 20 to 30,000 in there would do it.

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-Yeah.

-Comfortably.

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And give you plenty of change left over

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from your overall budget.

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-To sit and enjoy all of that.

-Absolutely.

-Which is what it's all about.

-Exactly!

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I think you've cheered me up, actually, with that price ticket.

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Good. That's our aim, Steve! Try to keep a smile on your faces!

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We'll give you a bit more time to go and explore it.

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Have a bit of fun. Think about the changes you might want to make.

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It's a laugh doing that. And I'll catch up with you a bit later.

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-OK.

-OK.

-Head back in to the warm!

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Cos I can tell you, there's snow on these hills, and it's chilly in the Highlands!

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For offers over £300,000,

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our first property comes in well under budget.

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It's a detached relatively modern build...

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A kitchen/breakfast room.

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Above all, the property is enveloped by the spectacular Highland scenery.

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The inside for me, downstairs, is very much a blank canvas

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and I think the kitchen does require a bit of remodelling.

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But the price did make my eyes light up a little bit more

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because I'm now starting to think

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the projects we have in mind to bespoke this property to our liking

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there is that money now to actually invest and get the house as we would like it.

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Not a bad start!

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So, figured it all out?

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Um, thinking about it, yeah.

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-It's a good price, let's face it!

-It is a good price.

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On a day like this, if anything's going to sell a property in the Highlands, a blue sky will help!

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-Definitely.

-Right. Let's get going to property number two. Come on.

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Steve and Helinka have spent the past ten years holidaying in Scotland.

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But they can't get enough of the country's stark beauty and chequered history.

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So during the week, they met up with tour guide Patrick Pollard

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and hopped on motorbikes for a scenic ride around Loch Ness,

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stopping at the ruins of Urquhart Castle to find out more about the legacy

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that's shaped the landscape from local expert, Willy Cameron.

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-Hi, Helinka. How are you? Steve?

-Hello, there.

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Welcome to the fortification that is Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness.

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In its heyday, it was one of the most magnificent castles in Scotland.

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It actually started off about the sixth century,

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555/60, AD.

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On this knoll here was a Pictish fortification,

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because all the hills round here was all the Pictish tribes.

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The castle's strategic position brought with it centuries of conflict between the Scottish

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and English, battling for its occupation.

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In the 17th century, about 1690, 1691,

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the Grants, who owned the castle then, destroyed it completely.

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They put gunpowder into one of the rooms, blew up the gates, blew up the walls.

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Why was the castle blown up?

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The castle was blown up to prevent the Jacobites,

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the followers of James,

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who was known as The Old Pretender.

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James Stuart was wanting to reclaim the throne of Scotland.

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At the centre of a lengthy and brutal tug of war,

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the turbulent lives of the clansmen who once lived and fought here

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still resonate throughout the ruinous wall.

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What's it like being a clansman today?

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It's probably just as important being a clansman today as it was in days gone by.

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But nowadays, we don't go marauding into England, stealing folks' cattle

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or creating fracas on the hillsides round about here.

0:18:070:18:12

It's more subdued. And we usually manifest ourselves in the Highland Games

0:18:120:18:16

where we perform various feats like tossing the caber and tug-of-war.

0:18:160:18:22

In 2014, Scotland will be hosting The Year of Homecoming,

0:18:220:18:26

where migrant Scots throughout the world

0:18:260:18:28

return to their native land to celebrate their culture and heritage.

0:18:280:18:32

And by then, Steve and Helinka hope to have their own wee patch of Highland to call home.

0:18:320:18:37

But first, we've got to find it, so it's back to the hunt!

0:18:370:18:40

For our second property, we're travelling further south

0:18:430:18:46

and closer to Loch Ness, where our destination overlooks the hills in Drumnadrochit.

0:18:460:18:51

In the shadow of the snow-capped Craig Monie,

0:18:510:18:55

the village of Drumnadrochit is located in a sheltered valley

0:18:550:18:58

that runs to the world's most famous loch.

0:18:580:18:59

As such, this village is a popular tourist hot-spot

0:18:590:19:03

from which to explore the local area.

0:19:030:19:05

But a mile away from the village and high into the remote hills,

0:19:050:19:09

we come to our second property.

0:19:090:19:11

OK. Property number two.

0:19:120:19:15

I know we're all distracted by that lovely view over there, which is what makes it,

0:19:150:19:20

but just feast your eyes on that.

0:19:200:19:22

What do you think, Helinka?

0:19:220:19:24

It looks a very lovely house to me.

0:19:240:19:26

I'm wondering where the garage is.

0:19:260:19:28

There is a spot for a garage. Don't panic.

0:19:280:19:32

Steve?

0:19:320:19:34

-It's a new build.

-It is a new build. It's only six months old.

0:19:350:19:38

It's brand-spanking-new.

0:19:380:19:39

There is nothing to have to do here. That's the joy of it.

0:19:390:19:43

But it has been designed, as you can tell, really to soak in that lot.

0:19:430:19:47

Is this the sort of thing you'd have come to look at if you'd seen it on the internet?

0:19:470:19:51

Um, no, because I wouldn't have looked at new new.

0:19:510:19:56

Oh, interesting.

0:19:560:19:58

But first impressions are it's stunning.

0:19:580:20:01

You said at the beginning, this house search was about finding something in the right setting.

0:20:010:20:05

Come on, let's go in.

0:20:050:20:07

'Completed in late 2012, this detached newly-built villa

0:20:090:20:13

'is presented partly furnished,

0:20:130:20:15

but conceived to take advantage of possibly the best natural views any home could have.'

0:20:150:20:20

So, for somebody who wasn't thinking about a new build...

0:20:250:20:28

-..smell the newness!

-It smells of wood.

-Doesn't it? Yeah.

0:20:300:20:34

What do you reckon?

0:20:340:20:35

I'm... I'm blown away.

0:20:350:20:38

-It's amazing, isn't it?

-It is.

0:20:380:20:40

It is just so gorgeous. And on a day like this when it's really chilly outside,

0:20:400:20:44

to come in here to the warmth, the sunlight, under-floor heating, space.

0:20:440:20:51

It's all slick, all clean, all ready to go.

0:20:510:20:54

For such a big space, it feels really cosy.

0:20:540:20:57

-It doesn't feel cold and bleak.

-Uh-huh.

0:20:570:21:00

And I just can't stop staring at the view.

0:21:000:21:03

Let's have a closer look. In a way, this is a room of two halves.

0:21:030:21:06

There's a garden room element here,

0:21:060:21:08

obviously with the views.

0:21:080:21:10

-This is the hub that we were after.

-Exactly.

0:21:100:21:13

When it comes to the Highlands and views,

0:21:130:21:15

this room doesn't get a lot better, really.

0:21:150:21:18

It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

0:21:180:21:21

Amazing.

0:21:210:21:22

Good!

0:21:220:21:24

Well, this is the real kind of showstopper, I suppose,

0:21:240:21:27

as rooms in this property go.

0:21:270:21:29

But it does continue through here into the living room.

0:21:290:21:31

There.

0:21:370:21:38

Isn't that fun?

0:21:380:21:39

-That is just an amazing woodburner!

-It's great. I love it.

0:21:390:21:43

Nice contemporary design which fits with the whole mindset behind this property.

0:21:430:21:48

Yeah, really nice, actually.

0:21:480:21:50

Again, a little bit cosier in here when you're settling in.

0:21:500:21:54

But again, lovely views.

0:21:540:21:56

Perfect.

0:21:560:21:57

-Perfect.

-It is, actually, yeah.

0:21:570:22:00

Let's see what you think of the rest. Follow me, through here.

0:22:020:22:05

Let's go up.

0:22:050:22:07

'Smiles all round so far,

0:22:070:22:09

'and there's still more to take in on the ground floor

0:22:090:22:11

'with the requested utility for the dogs,

0:22:110:22:13

'as well as a large and luxurious shower room.

0:22:130:22:16

'And of the five bedroom in total, one is downstairs.

0:22:160:22:20

'This double has its own en-suite shower room

0:22:200:22:22

'and could be ideal for guests or for Steve's business.

0:22:220:22:26

'The four remaining bedrooms are all upstairs

0:22:260:22:29

'alongside a contemporary bathroom.

0:22:290:22:31

'There are two decent-sized doubles,

0:22:310:22:33

'one with dual-aspect windows

0:22:330:22:35

'and the other with built-in wardrobes,

0:22:350:22:37

'and a smaller double presented with a single bed.'

0:22:370:22:40

Then finally, this is your one.

0:22:420:22:45

-Very nice.

-Yeah?

0:22:470:22:49

Go round the corner. There's an en-suite tucked away there.

0:22:490:22:51

Blimey! Another bathroom!

0:22:510:22:53

It's not bad, is it?

0:22:530:22:55

And again, lovely views through there.

0:22:550:22:57

And the double aspect keeps it right.

0:22:570:23:00

One thing we haven't really discussed much in either property so far

0:23:000:23:03

is this idea of a business in the future.

0:23:030:23:07

But this is a property, believe it or not, which I think has that potential for you.

0:23:070:23:11

-Right.

-All will become clear outside.

0:23:110:23:14

'The garden is in the process of being landscaped

0:23:180:23:21

'and has footings for a garage at an estimated build cost of £10,000.

0:23:210:23:26

'But there's yet more to unveil.'

0:23:260:23:28

Now, you're probably wondering why, when we've got that beautiful view to gaze at,

0:23:300:23:34

I'm bringing you round the back to look at a bit of a building site!

0:23:340:23:37

It had crossed my mind.

0:23:370:23:39

Well, back to this idea of a business.

0:23:390:23:41

Below us are preparations to produce the base of a holiday chalet.

0:23:410:23:47

-OK.

-The plot down there could be yours for about £15,000.

0:23:470:23:53

-Right.

-The developer who built this house is in the know.

0:23:530:23:58

And he's confident that the chalet would probably cost about £40,000 to do.

0:23:580:24:03

The real figure that we need to concern ourselves with is this.

0:24:030:24:07

How much is the house worth?

0:24:070:24:09

I think we're getting towards 330.

0:24:090:24:12

330. Yep.

0:24:120:24:14

It is a beautiful house but it doesn't have a garage at the moment.

0:24:140:24:17

So I would probably say maybe just over the 300 mark.

0:24:170:24:22

Just over 300. I would have said so, too.

0:24:220:24:25

However, this is on the market for £295,000.

0:24:250:24:30

-Wow!

-No!

0:24:300:24:32

Yes! Add on our 65 grand for our garaging, our plot and our chalet...

0:24:320:24:38

We're still under budget!

0:24:380:24:40

You're still under budget at 360.

0:24:400:24:42

I think this is extraordinary for £295,000!

0:24:430:24:46

With a view like that, I am amazed.

0:24:460:24:49

OK. I'm really pleased that you've enjoyed this one.

0:24:490:24:51

You were a bit sceptical to start with, but I think we've turned a corner here

0:24:510:24:55

with our view of new builds.

0:24:550:24:56

-You've definitely turned the corner.

-Brilliant.

0:24:560:24:59

Go back inside and I'll catch up with you later.

0:24:590:25:02

-OK.

-Brilliant.

-Off you go.

0:25:020:25:04

In the meantime, I'm going to take in the views

0:25:040:25:09

because, trust me, you don't get to see that every day of the week.

0:25:090:25:12

Well under budget for offers over £295,000,

0:25:160:25:20

Steve and Helinka could have first dibbs on this new build property.

0:25:200:25:25

It comes with five bedrooms, a separate utility room

0:25:250:25:28

and our buyers' dream kitchen/dining and family room.

0:25:280:25:32

The plot has the potential for a large garage

0:25:320:25:35

as well as the possibility to build a holiday chalet.

0:25:350:25:38

Most importantly, it has the aspect and incredible panoramic views that will be hard to beat.

0:25:380:25:44

I was absolutely astounded at the price of the house.

0:25:440:25:48

I do mean astounded. Bearing in mind the development of the garage

0:25:480:25:51

and the further business potential,

0:25:510:25:54

technically we're still under budget.

0:25:540:25:56

And I'm staggered about that.

0:25:560:25:59

It's very much saying "home" to me

0:25:590:26:01

because it's a very attractive house,

0:26:010:26:02

it's been very sympathetically arranged in terms of the way the rooms are laid out.

0:26:020:26:07

I just love it. It's difficult to describe it any other way. I really love it.

0:26:070:26:11

'I was swayed immediately by the view

0:26:110:26:14

'but on walking into the house,'

0:26:140:26:16

it's a house that really I suppose I could call home.

0:26:160:26:19

It's hard to believe that with snow on the mountain tops,

0:26:210:26:25

the sun is actually giving me a sun tan.

0:26:250:26:28

This is lovely!

0:26:280:26:30

I could be here all day long!

0:26:300:26:32

Have you had enough?

0:26:320:26:34

No!

0:26:340:26:35

You can't get enough of this one, can you? It's beautiful!

0:26:350:26:38

I just can't get over that. I think it's absolutely stunning.

0:26:380:26:41

It is spectacular, isn't it?

0:26:410:26:43

But there is one more house to come.

0:26:430:26:45

Tomorrow, it's mystery house time.

0:26:450:26:47

Will it better this? Can it better this?

0:26:470:26:49

I'm intrigued to find out.

0:26:490:26:51

Come on.

0:26:510:26:53

'It's the second day of our property search

0:27:040:27:06

'where the mission is to find suburban Buckinghamshire-based Steve and Helinka

0:27:060:27:10

'their dream get-away here in the Scottish Highlands

0:27:100:27:12

'in exchange for £375,000.

0:27:120:27:16

'Still to come, a maths lesson in the mystery house.'

0:27:160:27:19

If you finished all of these, too,

0:27:200:27:22

you'd have ten.

0:27:220:27:24

It's a bit more than the three that we thought we needed!

0:27:240:27:26

'And I'll come face-to-face with Scotland's very own native tiger.'

0:27:260:27:31

As you can see, it is a beautiful blue start

0:27:330:27:37

to our final day of house-hunting here in the Highlands.

0:27:370:27:40

And despite a definite chill in the air,

0:27:400:27:42

things are certainly hotting up.

0:27:420:27:44

Yesterday, I thought, went extremely well.

0:27:440:27:46

Property number one was definitely of interest to Steve and Helinka,

0:27:460:27:50

but by the time we'd finished at property number two,

0:27:500:27:52

things were really cooking.

0:27:520:27:54

So, what could we do for our final offering of the week, our mystery house?

0:27:540:27:58

Well, our hope is that it offers them everything they've been looking for in their new country home

0:27:580:28:03

and more.

0:28:030:28:05

'For our third and final property stop,

0:28:050:28:08

'we're taking our buyers to the small hamlet of Errogie,

0:28:080:28:10

'on the quieter southern side of Loch Ness,

0:28:100:28:13

'and even closer to The Cairngorms National Park.

0:28:130:28:16

'This is a tranquil and beautiful place,

0:28:170:28:19

'perfect for forest and hill walking.

0:28:190:28:21

'The nearest village is around four miles away

0:28:210:28:24

'and is famous for the breathtaking Falls of Foyers,

0:28:240:28:27

'whose fine cascade drops 165 feet

0:28:270:28:30

'and feeds directly into the loch.

0:28:300:28:33

'And the mystery element for our final property

0:28:330:28:36

'is that we're bringing a new business possibility right through the front door.'

0:28:360:28:40

What do you think?

0:28:400:28:42

Well, I'm looking to the right at the garage!

0:28:420:28:45

There are three - three - double garages over there

0:28:450:28:48

with an enormous space above,

0:28:480:28:50

accessed by a stairway.

0:28:500:28:52

So bags and bags of storage for you.

0:28:520:28:55

It's an enormous property,

0:28:550:28:57

built very recently, actually,

0:28:570:29:00

within the last ten to 12 years or so.

0:29:000:29:03

And when you look around us now at the views,

0:29:030:29:06

the mountains, on a day like this,

0:29:060:29:08

it's just sensational.

0:29:080:29:10

I guess the views from the front are as good as the views at the back.

0:29:100:29:13

They are. Absolutely. You're just spoilt for it.

0:29:130:29:16

360 degrees, more or less, of these gorgeous views.

0:29:160:29:19

-Right. Can't wait to have a look.

-Come and look inside. It's wonderful.

0:29:190:29:22

'Set in a two-acre plot, this modern mystery house

0:29:230:29:26

'is a detached villa arranged over two floors.

0:29:260:29:29

'It's by far the biggest of the properties we've seen so far.

0:29:290:29:32

'We're by-passing the entrance hall and going straight into the heart of the home.'

0:29:320:29:37

I'm very excited about what you think of this.

0:29:380:29:41

Wow!

0:29:410:29:42

-It's a very open space!

-Isn't it?

0:29:430:29:45

-Yeah.

-What do you reckon, Steve?

0:29:450:29:47

I'm amazed!

0:29:470:29:49

We talked about hubs of homes,

0:29:490:29:50

but this is one of the best I've ever seen.

0:29:500:29:52

-It feels very homely.

-Yeah. Woodburner down there,

0:29:520:29:56

a terrific snug in here with another woodburner. It's lovely.

0:29:560:30:01

Have a look. It just kind of goes on, really.

0:30:010:30:04

Oil-fired range over there in the corner.

0:30:050:30:08

That's perfect.

0:30:080:30:10

There's a fantastic utility area through there.

0:30:100:30:12

A lovely big double sink, wellies, dogs, all that stuff.

0:30:120:30:16

-It's looking good.

-Looking good. Where's house number two now?

0:30:160:30:19

-Um...

-Well...

-You've challenged it!

-I think we have!

0:30:190:30:22

Yeah, I thought we might.

0:30:220:30:24

Now, in terms of sort of business potential,

0:30:240:30:27

we hinted at it with our last property with the chalet option.

0:30:270:30:30

This one has so many rooms in it,

0:30:300:30:33

you could quite happily go down the B&B route, if you wanted to.

0:30:330:30:36

I know you haven't really embraced that idea,

0:30:360:30:39

but if you wanted to, it wouldn't be difficult.

0:30:390:30:41

Because most of the bedrooms are all that way and upstairs.

0:30:410:30:44

We'll deal with those in a moment.

0:30:440:30:46

But the current master bedroom, curiously, is through here.

0:30:460:30:49

Come and have a look.

0:30:490:30:51

There.

0:30:540:30:55

It's got a very cottagey feel again, even in here, hasn't it?

0:30:560:31:00

Yeah. I love the way they've dressed it. It's an interesting eclectic mix

0:31:000:31:04

in some respects. But for a modern house, it all works.

0:31:040:31:06

It creates that feel, I think.

0:31:060:31:08

'This house has an unconventional configuration

0:31:090:31:12

'that could be zoned off for different uses.

0:31:120:31:14

'The main living areas and master bedroom lie to one side of the property

0:31:140:31:18

'and could almost be self-contained.

0:31:180:31:20

'Then to the other side are a further three comfortably-sized ground floor double bedrooms

0:31:200:31:26

'as well as a family bathroom complete with a roll-top bath.

0:31:260:31:29

'However, there is another floor upstairs

0:31:290:31:32

'where even more rooms await,

0:31:320:31:34

'starting with a spacious en-suite guest bedroom.'

0:31:340:31:37

Now, as you see up here, there is one huge bedroom over there which is finished.

0:31:390:31:43

Behind these five doors

0:31:430:31:46

there are five rooms which are currently unfinished and they're in this sort of state.

0:31:460:31:50

This is a good example, just to show you.

0:31:500:31:53

-Mm-hm.

-OK.

0:31:530:31:54

So it's at first fix stage, I suppose one would say.

0:31:540:31:58

Plasterboard's up, you'd need to sort out the wiring,

0:31:580:32:01

a few other bits and pieces.

0:32:010:32:03

Each of these rooms is enormous.

0:32:030:32:06

-You've currently got five finished bedrooms including the master downstairs.

-Yep.

0:32:060:32:13

If you finished all of these, too, and they were all bedrooms, you'd have ten.

0:32:130:32:17

A little more than the three we thought we needed!

0:32:190:32:22

-This is why we're thinking about the business potential.

-Right, OK.

0:32:220:32:25

-Blown away?

-I am, yeah.

-Good.

0:32:250:32:28

I think it's a really, really interesting property.

0:32:280:32:30

-OK. Shall we go outside?

-Yeah.

0:32:300:32:32

Have a look at the land and talk about the price.

0:32:320:32:34

'Despite the enormous size and alternative business potential to what Steve and Helinka had in mind,

0:32:360:32:42

'I think the mystery house has really got them thinking.

0:32:420:32:44

'But the question, of course, is whether or not the figures will stack up.'

0:32:440:32:48

Look at this!

0:32:510:32:53

-Who said Scotland doesn't get sun?

-Who said that? On a day like this, you could sell anything!

0:32:530:32:58

He says, hopefully!

0:32:580:32:59

As you can see, the mirror image of the veranda there at the back.

0:32:590:33:04

And a similar arrangement behind the double garages, Steve.

0:33:040:33:08

The house, there's a home potential to it,

0:33:080:33:11

but the amount of space out here is also awesome for the dogs as well.

0:33:110:33:14

-They'd absolutely love this, wouldn't they?

-They would.

0:33:140:33:17

But all of that is going to depend on how much this is priced at.

0:33:170:33:21

Hmm. Is it my turn?

0:33:210:33:23

I think it might be. Yeah. Go on.

0:33:230:33:25

Well, I'd say top end of our budget given the amount of house there is.

0:33:250:33:30

380, 390?

0:33:300:33:31

OK. 380, 390. Steve?

0:33:310:33:34

I think we've pushed it. I think we're now 390.

0:33:340:33:37

390. They are looking for £375,000 for this.

0:33:370:33:42

-Blimey!

-375?!

-Not bad, is it?

0:33:420:33:45

You've thrown a conundrum, now!

0:33:450:33:47

-I think so.

-Lots to think about, isn't there?

0:33:470:33:49

Go and have a look at that garage area. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

0:33:490:33:54

-I'll catch up with you later.

-OK.

-Off you go!

0:33:540:33:56

Bang on budget with a fixed price of £375,000,

0:34:010:34:05

the mystery house is a modern detached home

0:34:050:34:08

meeting all of Steve and Helinka's requirements.

0:34:080:34:10

It has an open plan kitchen/dining and family room

0:34:100:34:13

with a separate snug and utility.

0:34:130:34:15

Four bedrooms are on the ground floor

0:34:150:34:17

and a further six upstairs

0:34:170:34:20

that could be ideal as letting bedrooms.

0:34:200:34:22

The house and triple garage sit in over two acres of land

0:34:220:34:26

surrounded by unspoilt views of the Scottish Highlands.

0:34:260:34:29

-Wow!

-A triple garage!

0:34:330:34:35

You've only had a double garage before!

0:34:350:34:37

It exceeds all expectations.

0:34:370:34:39

I can see you getting more bikes now!

0:34:390:34:42

'This has given us an awful lot to think about now

0:34:420:34:44

'because this kind of house maybe wasn't on our radar.'

0:34:440:34:48

But it doesn't, now we're in it, doesn't feel as big as perhaps we anticipated.

0:34:480:34:53

Yesterday, it was non-stop talk of property two.

0:34:530:34:56

I have no doubt that for the rest of today, it'll be non-stop talk of property three!

0:34:560:35:02

I thought that was rather exciting, As I hoped it would be.

0:35:070:35:10

-It was.

-Lots to think about.

0:35:100:35:12

-Tons!

-I think we've confused you!

0:35:120:35:15

-You have!

-Lots to think about.

-Yeah.

0:35:150:35:18

That marks the end of our three property tours with Helinka and Steve.

0:35:230:35:27

But whatever your budget,

0:35:270:35:28

there's still a variety of homes here waiting to be snapped up.

0:35:280:35:32

This four-bedroomed timber house in Newtonmore lies within The Cairngorms National Park itself.

0:35:320:35:37

It has a cosy sitting room with woodburning stove

0:35:370:35:40

and is on the market for offers in the region of £160,000.

0:35:400:35:44

Further up the price chain is this traditional cottage in Drumnadrochit.

0:35:450:35:49

For offers over £245,000

0:35:490:35:52

it comes with three bedrooms and a beautiful country kitchen featuring exposed stonework.

0:35:520:35:57

Lastly, this rather stately Victorian villa in Grantown-on-Spey

0:35:570:36:01

can be yours for offers just shy of half a million pounds.

0:36:010:36:04

Currently run as a four-star guest house,

0:36:040:36:07

it has a grand drawing room and six luxury en-suite bedrooms.

0:36:070:36:11

The remote wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park

0:36:150:36:18

is home to a rich variety of wildlife,

0:36:180:36:21

offering sanctuary to many rare and endangered species.

0:36:210:36:24

But one native resident facing a serious battle for survival

0:36:240:36:27

is the critically endangered Scottish wildcat.

0:36:270:36:31

Nicknamed the Highland Tiger,

0:36:310:36:32

this feline may look like a domestic tabby,

0:36:320:36:35

but it isn't a cat you'd want to cuddle.

0:36:350:36:38

I've come to meet Doug Richardson at the Highland Wildlife Park

0:36:380:36:40

to find out more about the plight of this elusive creature.

0:36:400:36:44

The wildcat itself isn't that familiar to many people,

0:36:460:36:48

but it is, nonetheless, you would say, a very iconic image of The Highlands.

0:36:480:36:53

Absolutely. I think there's considerably more people out there

0:36:530:36:57

that are more attuned to the existence of the wildcat

0:36:570:37:00

and especially to its plight.

0:37:000:37:02

They've now got this lovely title, The Highland Tiger,

0:37:020:37:04

which would suggest something very ferocious and something that can look after itself in the wild.

0:37:040:37:10

But their numbers, as you allude to, have plummeted.

0:37:100:37:12

What's threatened them? What's caused the change in population?

0:37:120:37:15

The most important problem and the thing that is driving them to extinction

0:37:150:37:19

is cross-breeding, hybridising with feral domestic cats.

0:37:190:37:23

'Once widespread across the UK,

0:37:230:37:26

'there are now less than 400 pure-bred wildcats left in existence.

0:37:260:37:31

'Captive breeding is probably the last hope to ensure their survival.'

0:37:310:37:35

Famously elusive creatures, Doug.

0:37:360:37:38

Yes. Certainly our ones are a wee bit easier to spot.

0:37:380:37:41

Obviously they're more used to people.

0:37:410:37:43

-But...

-Is this a male or a female?

0:37:430:37:46

That's our main breeding male, Hamish.

0:37:460:37:48

Hamish? He's beautiful, isn't he?

0:37:480:37:51

These walkways, the aerial walkways, are interesting.

0:37:510:37:53

It allows us to see him quite clearly as he moves between enclosures.

0:37:530:37:56

What's the purpose of this? It's quite a complex you've created.

0:37:560:37:59

I think why these work so well is that cats can get above the visitors' heads.

0:37:590:38:04

And for most carnivores, if they're above something they see as potentially threatening,

0:38:040:38:09

they'll feel more secure.

0:38:090:38:11

So in an environment like this, even though he's casually on the ground as well,

0:38:110:38:16

they know that they have this escape route.

0:38:160:38:18

The knowledge that it's there makes them calmer individuals

0:38:180:38:22

and better exhibit animals.

0:38:220:38:24

'On average, wildcats are 50% larger than their domestic cousins,

0:38:240:38:28

'with a wider face and jaw.

0:38:280:38:30

'And they can manage to run at speeds of 30 miles an hour.

0:38:300:38:33

'But it's impossible to tame them.'

0:38:330:38:36

How do you distinguish between a genuine pure-bred wildcat

0:38:360:38:40

and one of these hybrid cats?

0:38:400:38:42

There's a number of things. If you look at the stripe down his back,

0:38:420:38:46

it wiggles, it's not a straight line.

0:38:460:38:48

On a domestic cat, it'll be a straight line.

0:38:480:38:50

There are four lines on the top of his head

0:38:500:38:53

that meet in the centre. You wouldn't get that on a domestic cat.

0:38:530:38:57

'Rabbits form a key part of the wildcat diet,

0:38:570:39:00

'and the park employs dynamic ways of feeding them

0:39:000:39:03

'In order to best replicate conditions in the wild.'

0:39:030:39:06

Look at him waiting! He can't wait.

0:39:060:39:09

See his ears going to the side as well.

0:39:090:39:12

-That's classic wildcat.

-He's licking his lips isn't he?

0:39:120:39:14

He's looking at her to make sure that she's...

0:39:140:39:17

"Wait a minute - there's nothing left on the floor!"

0:39:170:39:20

-This is it. He's now figuring that out.

-Yeah.

0:39:200:39:23

And he's, "OK, that's where it is. I'm going to have to work at it."

0:39:230:39:26

Do you get very attached to them?

0:39:260:39:28

A good zoo keeper is seeing the bigger picture.

0:39:280:39:32

They have a conservation role to play,

0:39:320:39:34

they're educating the public,

0:39:340:39:36

acting as ambassadors for their species.

0:39:360:39:39

And potentially, their offspring

0:39:390:39:42

will play an even more significant role in the species.

0:39:420:39:46

It's good to see, Doug, and let's face it,

0:39:460:39:49

the Highlands wouldn't be quite the same without their tigers!

0:39:490:39:53

Absolutely not.

0:39:530:39:54

While I've been out and about, Steve and Helinka have been locked in conversation

0:40:020:40:06

trying to come up with a plan for their future.

0:40:060:40:09

So, without further ado, let's go and find out what it is.

0:40:090:40:12

Well, you two. What an exciting week we've had!

0:40:200:40:22

Absolutely!

0:40:220:40:24

The Highlands, clearly, are for you.

0:40:240:40:26

You have lapped it up from the minute you arrived.

0:40:260:40:28

But I get the feeling there are two real contenders on the list.

0:40:280:40:32

If we'd have had this conversation yesterday,

0:40:320:40:35

we'd have given you a definite answer. It was going to be property two.

0:40:350:40:39

Having thought about it, I think our focus now is the mystery house.

0:40:390:40:43

OK. We'll deal with the mystery house a bit later.

0:40:430:40:46

But let's go back to property one, if we may,

0:40:460:40:48

which has been discounted, I think.

0:40:480:40:51

The hub that we said was quite important to us,

0:40:510:40:53

the sort of kitchen, eating space, chilling space,

0:40:530:40:56

that wasn't there.

0:40:560:40:58

Well, property two, you wanted a view, and boy, did you get it there!

0:40:580:41:02

And I thought that was it. Done deal!

0:41:020:41:05

The heart said, "Let me sign on the dotted line now."

0:41:050:41:09

And I could have done that yesterday.

0:41:090:41:13

So when we set off this morning, to go and look at our mystery house,

0:41:130:41:17

what were your thoughts on that one?

0:41:170:41:19

I was thinking, "The Waltons", if I'm honest!

0:41:190:41:21

It really made me smile when I looked at it

0:41:210:41:24

and thought, "Wow, that looks really quite interesting."

0:41:240:41:27

But when we got inside, I think this vision of the hub,

0:41:270:41:29

of a very warm, cosy home with plenty of space really came to the fore.

0:41:290:41:34

It had a wow factor for me.

0:41:340:41:37

It was very quirky as you walked in.

0:41:370:41:39

Part of me kept thinking, "Is it going to be too big for us",

0:41:390:41:42

but it was very much a home

0:41:420:41:43

and it didn't feel as though the two of us and the dogs would be rattling around in it.

0:41:430:41:47

I know it's got the project rooms that are yet to be developed

0:41:470:41:50

in the loft space.

0:41:500:41:52

Quite frankly, the vision I have for those

0:41:520:41:55

is they'd be behind locked doors and I'd get round to it whenever.

0:41:550:41:58

So we have, I suspect, reached a decision

0:41:580:42:01

that is now focussed on the mystery house.

0:42:010:42:03

What happens next?

0:42:030:42:06

Seriously, seriously contemplate a second viewing.

0:42:060:42:09

I'm delighted. Absolutely delighted!

0:42:090:42:11

Best of luck, and, as always, let us know how it goes with the viewing.

0:42:110:42:15

-And let's hope we hear that you've moved in fairly quickly.

-Will do.

0:42:150:42:19

-Thank you very much for the experience. We've thoroughly enjoyed it.

-Pleasure.

0:42:190:42:23

We've seen so many spectacular views up here this week.

0:42:280:42:32

Trying to pick a favourite is nigh-on impossible.

0:42:320:42:35

And as for today's buyers,

0:42:350:42:37

Steve and Helinka, with any luck,

0:42:370:42:39

are now well on their way to calling this place home.

0:42:390:42:42

Because that, of course, is what this search has been all about.

0:42:420:42:45

And as for the chance to wake up to this every day for the rest of their lives, who can blame them?

0:42:450:42:51

Lucky devils!

0:42:510:42:53

Steve and Helinka are already planning their return trip to Scotland

0:42:530:42:57

with a view to seeing the mystery property again.

0:42:570:42:59

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0:43:000:43:05

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