The Road Trip - house twelve, no thanks!

We set off to the next house on the hit list and had returned to our musings on retirement and the big move, when John suddenly recognised where we were. Something about the landscape had jogged a memory and we were coming up on a little house with a small bothy rental in the garden called 'The Couples Highland Retreat'. Whilst the house had a ready made business opportunity, the house itself was unattractive and had a view out of the front onto woodland. We had decided against it despite the lovely mountains. We continued our journey past.

Another ten minutes or so down the road is Woodside. It's in a field, with no drive to the house, and the track which gets you as close as possible is a rough track (10 mph in a 4x4 or you'll throw a tyre) about a mile long off a proper road, through a farm yard. Cute chickens!

We had mentioned to the estate agent at Old Ellick that we were heading this way after our viewing with him, and he knew the property, although he had not been here himself. His opinion was that Woodside would eventually be bought for the asking price, rather than offers over, should we fancy a bargain.

Woodside Cottage, Ballindalloch - offers over £140,000. We felt the estate agent had overbooked the property description somewhat... An extremely rare chance (not that rare!) to acquire a traditional stone and slate, one and a half storey Highland cottage with attached byre in this simply stunning location at the foot of the Ladder Hills in the Braes of Glenlivet within the Cairngorms National Park.

So, for around £140,000 you could have your own retreat, with a lovely view. You can see the fenced area remarking the land that is attached to the house, which is a modest 1/3 acre, but the minimal fence means you can 'borrow' the surrounding field without much obstruction of the wider view around you. Liz was particularly drawn by the slightly bleak looking windswept trees and the little house that looked hunkered down against the elements.

This dream property (hmmm, it's a long way from that at present) has enjoyed a partial refurbishment with a new roof and double glazing fitted to offer a blank canvas for the incoming custodian. With breathtaking views and a truly secluded setting (on a busy farm with a grumpy looking farmer), this is the perfect opportunity to escape city life and find yourself a cosy cottage with so much potential in a magical (definitely not!) get away from it all spot.

The partial renovation was puzzling. The owner had not bothered to get planning permission for use to a dwelling, nor had they sought any connection to water, drainage or electricity (nearby but needing organisation and money to achieve). But they had put in a new roof and windows - not cheap, but at least the building was now water tight. Our biggest question would, sadly, not be answered as the vendor was not available to do a viewing. We doubted the ceiling upstairs was high enough to make the loft space a comfortable and useable living space.

Our view - access was a major reservation. We don't mind remote, but you need to be able to drive to your front door. Oh and the view. Great photos by the estate agent, taken at perfect angles to avoid showing the variety of agricultural buildings and abandoned looking paraphernalia on show. We didn't stop long.

Other points to note: technically it wasn't classed as a dwelling so although likely to be granted, you're making a gamble on a property where you can't live until you fulfil planning requirements! And, because it isn't considered a dwelling it is also unmortgagable. So you had to be a cash buyer to entertain this one, or be raising a mortgage against another property, as we will be doing.

Lesson learnt: some places you do have to visit to dismiss, Google maps/Google street view is just not up to the task sometimes.

Despite having been on the market for quite a number of weeks before we visited, within a few days of getting home from our road trip, Woodside Cottage was under offer.

Although we'd planned to spend the long journey listening to music and reading books out loud, we ended up talking for hours (and hours) about what kind of house we want, where, why, what we would do for 365 days a year when not working, what our fears were about the process and what we would miss about our previous life in Warwickshire and last but not least: the impact on the kids of our decisions. This discussion set the tone for the whole of the trip, as we mulled it over, got cold feet and then reignited our lust for the mountain air. But we did we find any answers? All will be revealed...