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A MORAY firm has been named Scotland’s best estate agent.
Elgin firm CCL Property, operated by husband and wife directors David and Coralie Pickering, was recognised for the quality of both commercial and residential offerings.
With bases in both Elgin and Edinburgh, the firm came out on top through a rigorous series of cold call and mystery shopping organised by the British Property Awards.
Winning the 2023 regional gold award for Scotland, the success builds upon last years triumph when they were named the top estate agent in Elgin.
The win coincides with a period of expansion for CCL, with a move to set up a Glasgow base currently in the pipeline.
Coralie explained that CCL’s residential portfolio is centred on the Moray area, while their commercial offer spans the country.
The firm were told they had won the prestigious award in the last call received before the Christmas break, she added.
“We never really know what they are doing or when they are doing it with the judging,” she said.
“We are just constantly checking our phones for the news to come in.
“It was a nice phone phone call to get.”
David added: “It is fantastic, given that the award area is across the whole of Scotland.
“We have done well in expanding, along with the operations in Elgin, where we are now going into the expansion into Glasgow.
“And a very nice way to end 2023 and start 2024.”
For more information, visit CCL Property’s website here.
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Caradoc House, a 14-bedroom home in Little Stretton, is on the market for offers over £650,000.
The detached residential building dates from the 1930s. Once a private family residence, it has over the years been substantially extended and operated as a residential care home until last year.
A year ago, eight residents were moved out of the accommodation after the business that ran it entered liquidation.
The agents selling the property say it offers great potential as a residential home or could well be used or converted for other purposes, such as a guest house, private house, holiday lets or divided into self-contained apartments.
According to the listing, the ground floor features a conservatory, lounge, kitchen, dining room, office, four bedrooms – one with an en-suite – and a shower room.
Two staircases lead up to the first floor where there are a further eight bedrooms – two having en-suite shower rooms – and a separate shower room.
A second floor currently houses accommodation for the staff with sitting room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a store room.
The massive property sits on the edge of the Long Mynd Hills in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within easy reach of Shrewsbury, Ludlow and the West Midlands.
It is currently being listed by Wrights Estate Agents and is available to view online at rightmove.co.uk/properties/141854585.
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Aberdeenshire Council have confirmed that are about to formally appoint a specialist structural consultancy to undertake an assessment of Aboyne Bridge.
A spokesperson for the council said: “This vital element of investigatory work into the concrete disintegration in the structure’s top deck will help us to consider all options for Aboyne Bridge.
“We are currently concluding the procurement process and we hope to get the team on-site as soon as possible.
“As part of the process, our Bridges team has provided drawings, photographs and descriptions of its own invasive investigations so the consultants are suitably briefed and can begin their assessments quickly.
“From our own initial investigations, however, it’s clear that the bridge is in a very poor condition and that the cost of any reconstruction or replacement will be significant.”
Meantime, officers and councillors will be attending a community drop-in session being hosted by Mid Deeside Community Council on Wednesday, February 21 at the Aboyne Scout Hut from 2.30pm-7pm.
The event will be an open meeting with no fixed agenda where people can drop in to get information and pass information back in respect of the impacts of the closure.
A reminder that Aboyne Bridge – which carries the B968 Bridgeview Road over the River Dee – remains under an 18-month closure.
It is still in use for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised forms of transport only, and it is our hope that this can continue during the period of the closure.
The diversion for vehicles is via Dinnet Bridge (B9158 road).
A spokesperson for the council said: “We would once again take this opportunity to thank the communities of Birse, Aboyne and surrounding areas for their patience and understanding during the current closure.”