Mortlach Hall

Mortlach Hall – Dufftown How we assessed it as a potential home and commercial property

In 2016 we began our search for a new home.

We viewed some absolutely awful properties around Grampian and Tayside, as well as some OK but problem properties. A part of this was to travel to Dufftown to see a property placed on the market by Church of Scotland – Mortlach Hall.

Originally a Presbyterian Church for the area, with dwindling congregation numbers and an expensive upkeep Mortlach Hall, (not to be mistaken for the nearby historical relic, Mortlach Church,) was passed on to the Church of Scotland for community use. The former church, now hall, was put up for sale with a guide price of ÂŁ90k.

First impressions are always important, but particularly so for a property. We were immediately in awe of the architecture and the sheer size and potential of the place. Both former aspects were to eventually be the downfall of the property as an option to buy.

Entrance Hall

Meeting Room

Kitchen

Main Area Looking West

Main Area Looking East

Clock Tower (Ground Floor)

The Beautiful Main Window

Window Detail

Window Detail

Storage Area (To Rear of Kitchen)

As Above

Meeting Hall Again

Main Hall Again

Building Shape (Rear)

Pros: Loads of space with a lot of potential.

Cons: Building needed some work, (but not too much,) however as there was zero living accommodation it would have required an immediate high investment to make it walk-in liveable. There were bats in the belfry too, so working with them was going to be expensive. To top it all the main window needed TLC which would have been expensive.

Because of the cons we went in at a silly price which was rejected, and the property was bought by somebody from London.

4 years on there is little sign of habitation or serious work being done, which is a shame.

All in all, we are somewhat glad we did not buy it as it would most likely have been a deep, deep, money pit.