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Aviemore's Saltire House loses out in BBC hit Scotland’s Home of the Year


By Gavin Musgrove

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Ian Forrester and Myra Francis outside their stunning home Saltire House in Aviemore.
Ian Forrester and Myra Francis outside their stunning home Saltire House in Aviemore.

An Aviemore couple have admitted to being left a little disappointed but nonetheless said they have really enjoyed their house being in the running for Scotland's home of the year.

Saltire House, their spectacular Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired home on the village's Old Dalfaber Road, scored 21 points; it was awarded seven points out of 10 by each of the judges Anna Campbell-Jones, Michael Angus and Kate Spiers.

The winner of the three properties competing in the Highlands finals shown last night in the BBC series Scotland’s Home of the Year was Colonel's House in Inverness which scored 27 points with Mansion Apartment in Lentran finishing runner-up on 25 points.

Judge Michael Angus on the visit to the Aviemore property which featured in Scotland's Home of the Year last night.
Judge Michael Angus on the visit to the Aviemore property which featured in Scotland's Home of the Year last night.

Saltire House owners Ian Forrester and Myra Francis clearly had no idea of the outcome of the contest when they tuned in with TV viewers last night but they were magnanimous in defeat.

Mr Forrester told the Strathy: "I thought that we might have ended up with a few more points but that's how it goes. I don't think that Michael Angus really appreciated our concept – Saltire House is not meant to be a replica Charles Rennie Mackintosh house – but it has been a real pleasure to be part of the show.

"In the days leading up the episode we must have had well over 100 people getting in touch wishing us well and we have had five or six calls this morning with people expressing their commiseration and surprise.

"But overall, it has been a joy to be part of Scotland’s Home of the Year. It was exciting to be involved; we have enjoyed the filming and received a lot of press coverage from across Scotland.

"I wish the Highland winners well for the grand final."

The judges were shown last night visiting the three homes in Aviemore, Inverness and the Beauly Firth in the Highland episode, the eighth in the current series. They started with Saltire House which the Aviemore couple share with their black Labrador dogs, Blue and Max.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired hall entry in Saltire House.
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired hall entry in Saltire House.

Kate Spiers said at the end when revealing her mark to give the final total: "I thought this was a lively and interesting home with a few questionable decor choices. But I loved the way that balcony went out and had that garden oasis - it was such a wonderful use of space."

The winner – Colonel’s House in Inverness – is a huge corner property in Inverness city which was built in 1897 to house the Colonel of the Cameron Barracks.

Anna Campbell-Jones said: "This is an incredible majestic corner house. I thought it was absolutely spectacular from the moment you walked through the door; hat beautiful staircase sweeping up and the painted anaglypta (wallpaper).

"I loved the different atmospheres created through-out the home; it was fun; it was friendly but also elegant and a beautiful restoration."

Scotland’s Home of the Year is available on the BBC iPlayer

Enjoy a viewing of Aviemore house in running for Scotland's home of the year


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