The Loft
Tucked away behind the Shore Inn and the Boatshed (where traditional boatbuilding skills are taught) is a small listed T-shaped building dating from about 1750, with a slate roof, thick, harled stone walls and crow-stepped gables. Right at the back of this building, outside steps lead up the rear gable to Harbour Loft.
The flat is fully furnished. Harbour Loft is no smoking and is not suitable for pets.
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The living room
The living room has two comfortable sofas arranged around an electric flame-effect stove (no stoking required!) and a TV with DVD player. There is a vintage pine bookcase, an antique wall mirror, Vanessa Arbuthnott blinds and Laura Ashley table lamps. The floor is laminate.
The kitchen area is small but functional. It has a large fridge freezer, electric hob and oven, microwave, toaster and kettle. The table can extend to seat four.
Pots and pans, cups, plates, cutlery, baking trays, tea towels etc. are supplied.
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The bedrooms
There are two double bedrooms, both overlooking Church Street and the buildings of the old harbour: the Vintage Room and the Blue Room. The Vintage Room is furnished with a traditional-style metal bed and a painted Victorian chest of drawers and has a country cottage feel. There is hanging space and a high shelf in a recessed curtained cupboard which also contains the hot water tank. The Blue Room has a tweedy look and is painted in Farrow & Ball 'Light Blue'. It has a leather bed, an oak Georgian chest of drawers and a locally made tweed pouffe. There is a large curtained cupboard, again with a high shelf and plenty hanging space. Bed linen is supplied, and the pillows and duvets are non-feather.
The boring stuff
A good washing machine is located in the walk-in cupboard, where you will also find an ironing board and iron. There is an extending washing line in the courtyard.
Heating is by new Q-RAD radiators in the living room and bedrooms. These are very efficient and responsive and provide instant warmth whenever you want it. They can be programmed to switch on and off using a simple digital menu on each radiator, which also allows you to adjust the room temperature to within 1 degree. (These are very easy and intuitive to use, but instructions are provided for you to refer to.) There is also an electric stove in the sitting area and an electric towel rail heater (programmable) in the bathroom.
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Outside
The Courtyard
DrivewayLeading from the street to the courtyard, there is a short driveway to the side of the flat which is available for parking - but you need to be good at reversing!
The Secret GardenThere is a long, high flight of steps leading up from the courtyard to the Secret Garden. The steps are very old and are uneven and steep, with some shallow steps and high risers, and so you need to be reasonably fit to attempt them. They are definitely not suitable for those with mobility problems or for small children. Care must be taken! Oxygen may be required!
But it is worth the climb...
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High stone walls enclose the garden on three sides, giving it a private, secluded feel, but the fourth side (made safe by a wooden fence) offers wonderful views across the rooftops of the oldest parts of Portsoy and over the harbour to the sea. Bushes and long grass provide wildlife habitats, but there is a mown path all the way round and an area of short grass with a picnic table and plenty of room to set out the folding chairs and loungers you will find in the small stone shed in the corner. The garden enjoys the sun all day (weather permitting!) and is exclusively for the use of Harbour Loft.
Dolphins can sometimes be spotted from here!
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