Scotland's Home of the Year finalist: Rhu Boathouse up for sale

IT'S not very often that house-hunters get a chance to snap up a finalist in the Scotland's Home of the Year competition - but that's exactly what's on offer at our latest Property of the Week.

As reported in the Advertiser last year, Rhu Boathouse was one of just three homes that made it to the final of the BBC One Scotland series.

Originally a naval officer's lodgings, the 150-year-old house is now home to Patricia Rodi and Patrick Phillips, and their dog, Alva.

The home was selected for the show after it caught the attention of BBC producers on Instagram.

Patricia said: "I run an account where I essentially document my slow approach to life and the renovation of our house.

"This is the first time we have renovated a property.

"We lived in Glasgow for seven years and then decided that we wanted to try get a house and get out of the city.

"We also wanted to buy a property that we could really make our own."

Quietly located and well placed for local amenities such as shops, school and Rhu Marina, the owners have fully refurbished the home with great detail and feeling to the original property.

The reception hallway has floring which was reclaimed from Gourock Town Hall, while the lounge has a log burner and tiled hearth and the modern kitchen, dating from 2020, boasts a dining area and feature Belfast sink as well as a rear entry porch.

Upstairs there are two large bedrooms, with the larger having been re-plastered, with shelved alcove and dado, while bedroom three offers an opportunity if required as a study, as well as glorious views over the Gare Loch.

The bathroom is partiuarly appealing: refurbished in 2019, it has a walk-in shower with brass fittings, porcelain tiles, three piece suite including bath and original stain glass window.

The property has been re-painted with specialist Farrow and Ball paint throughout to emphasise the 'feel' of the home.

The property has a garden to the front and rear, and its own allotment within yards of the home as well as trees, lawn and sheds.

Looking back on their experience being part of the series last year - in which the Boathouse eventually lost out to New Tolsta, a 20th-century croft house north of Stornoway - Patricia told the Advertiser: "It was an amazing experience and so lovely to have made it so far in the competition and be able to share our ethos, and more specifically that you can create a home special to you with reused and upcycle items.

"It's been an honour to have made it as far as we did, and I’m so proud of the home we have created.

"It was such an amazing line up and all houses were so special in their own right."

Rhu Boathouse is being marketed by the Helensburgh office of estate agents Allen & Harris and is on sale for offers over £255,000.

For more details see bit.ly/rhuboathouseforsale or call Allen & Harris in Helensburgh on 01436 647393.

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