After letting Castlehill Farm go before, Brian and Doreen Davidson seized the opportunity to became available again

When it came up for sale again in 2007, however, the Davidsons had retired and they weren’t about to let the opportunity pass them by again. They knew the house already, as they’d been acquainted with the original owner, who had carried out significant renovations and restorations to the farm before selling it in 2006.

The 2006 buyer never lived here; Castlehill simply stood empty for a year, during which time the once-immaculate and expansive garden became completely overgrown.

“To start with, the garden had been furnished with the most beautiful trees and shrubs; whoever landscaped it had really put a lot of thought into it, in the colours and perfumes, but by the time we arrived it was covered in weeds,” says Doreen.

Brian adds: “It was such a beautiful property, in terms of the garden and the house, we both thought it was worth bringing it back up to the standard it should have been.”

Castlehill Farm has an elevated position on Humbie Road, about a mile from the conservation village of Eaglesham, and about 10 miles south of Glasgow’s city centre. Originally a dairy farm, today’s five-bedroom property comprises the original Victorian farmhouse and adjoining farm buildings that form a U-shaped steading, and sits within 9.5 acres of land. To put this in context, what is now the drawing room, with its dramatic stone fireplace, exposed stone walls and timber roof beams, was originally a cow byre, as was today’s dining-kitchen.

The Davidsons are well versed in refurbishment projects having done work to previous houses, but never on this scale, and never with a garden of this size. Indeed, even before talking about the house, you can’t help but admire the gardens, which Doreen and Brian have spent the last four years restoring and improving. It seems a cliché to refer to this spot as a haven of tranquility, but it is.

There used to be a quarry here and in recent years this area has been made into a pond. A timber walkway and bridge lead to an island, and Brian has replaced the decking boards of both since buying the farm. The pond is overlooked by a wide, south-facing stone terrace which the couple have improved, replanting the rockeries and the borders, while one of the best features is the scented walkway: a large, timber-framed pergola planted with numerous species of rose and lavender. Doreen says: “We’ve made the garden to be as easily maintained as possible. One thing we’ll miss when we leave is the wildlife; we have deer coming through the garden, while the variety of birds is incredible.”

In terms of the house itself, the existing interior, while expensively done, wasn’t entirely to the couple’s taste. “Throughout the house there were heavy drapes with huge pelmets that cut down the light coming in, so our main aim was bringing light back into the property,” Brian explains. Some spaces required fairly minimal improvements. In the drawing room, for example – which is partially open plan to the dining room – the couple installed a larger woodburning stove, which is also connected to the heating for increased fuel efficiency (and lower bills). Likewise, the conservatory – which is accessed from the dining room, with views over the garden and pond – simply required a few repairs.

The Davidsons have made the biggest impact, however, in the dining-kitchen and the new master bedroom suite. The former was previously a farmhouse-style kitchen with an archway leading through into a snug. Brian says: “The kitchen was dark, so we wanted to lighten the whole space and modernise it.” The archway was removed to open up the space, creating a clean sweep between the cooking and dining spaces, and a new utility room was formed to one side. Today’s kitchen was designed with style and practicality in mind. “We have a three-year-old Labradoodle called Maisie who loves swimming in the pond and then coming in and shaking herself,” Doreen explains. “This kitchen is so easy to clean.”

After consulting a few kitchen designers the couple made their decisions. “In the end, we compiled what we thought was best,” Doreen says of the high-gloss cream units, with classic black granite worktops co-coordinating with a black glass splashback, and with Neff appliances, including the US-style fridge-freezer. There are also some smart extras: the Fisher & Paykel double dishwasher drawers may be practical, as is the boiling water ZIP Hydro tap, but the Star Elica cooker hood is pure glamour.

The master bedroom suite was once a snooker room: great if you enjoy snooker, a waste of space if you don’t. The area was stripped out and recreated from scratch, from the plaster cornicing to the French doors that open onto the terrace, and includes a dressing room and en suite bathroom. When designing the latter, the couple shopped around before choosing the combination of glossy cream and bronze-finish tiling (with underfloor heating) with a beautifully contemporary double vanity unit, plus a Jacuzzi bath and walk-in rain shower.

These changes have also had the effect of re-orientating the property. “Originally, the old farmhouse was the main house, but over the years the focus has gravitated towards this side of the house,” Brian says, referring to the dining-kitchen and everything that lies to the west of this space, within the former steading buildings, including the drawing and dining rooms and the new master suite. The former farmhouse now forms the east wing and includes four bedrooms, a family bathroom and a shower room.

And the couple didn’t stop with the house and garden: there’s also the self-contained, two- bedroom Castlehill Cottage adjoining the stable block. “The cottage had been lived in at some point, but bits had been changed and added on here and there, and it hadn’t been well done,” Brian says. All the internal walls were removed and the cottage rebuilt internally. This space offers letting potential, clearly, but it would also suit extended family members who wanted to be near yet independent. Now, Brian says: “The cottage is a terrific property in its own right.”

The Davidsons are leaving Castlehill Farm only because they want to downsize. Asked what has surprised her most about living here, Doreen mentions the tranquility and the wildlife, and looking out to the garden and the ducks on the pond, it’s clear that this property is about much more than a great house. k

Offers in excess of £1,450,000; contact Savills 0141-222 5875, www.savills.co.uk