Nessdale dates from 1892 and has a particularly important place in the history of Inverness, having been in the ownership of the family of the widely regarded architect Dr Alexander Ross, described as one of the most accomplished architects of the Victorian era, for over 100 years. Nessdale was designed by him along with many of the elegant villas on Island Bank Road, together with so much of the architectural and civic landscape of Inverness. His influence extends far beyond Island Bank Road as Dr Ross was the architect of Inverness Cathedral and nearly 650 other buildings across the Highlands, including schools, churches, public institutions, and castles. His legacy is etched into the very fabric of the region, making Nessdale not just a beautiful home, but a rare piece of Highland history. Nessdale beautifully preserves the refined period features characteristic of its Victorian heritage. Throughout the home are details such as deep skirting boards, panelled doors, intricately carved fireplaces, ornate cornicing, original Victorian tiling, and vibrant stained glass - each element a testament to the craftsmanship of the era. Signature touches of Alexander Ross’s architectural genius are also proudly on display. These include a grand, sweeping staircase, a graceful, pillared glass-roof veranda, and a spacious, south-facing conservatory that floods the interior with natural light. Each feature enhances Nessdale’s timeless elegance and architectural significance. Accommodation The accommodation begins with a striking glass-roofed veranda, leading into an entrance porch with an ornate mosaic-tiled floor. The reception hallway makes a grand first impression, with elegant wood panelling to dado height, which continues up the staircase to the first floor. To the left, the sitting room has a bay window overlooking the front garden and has an open fireplace with a decorative surround and tiled inset. This room flows seamlessly into a spacious conservatory, glazed on three sides, offering panoramic views of the rear garden and direct access to the outdoors. Adjacent is the drawing room, equally impressive, with a bay window framing views of the side garden and full-height glazed doors opening to the rear. This room also features an open fireplace set within a decorative mantelpiece, complemented by a slate hearth and inset. To the right of the reception hall lies a generous dining room, complete with a fireplace, built-in display cupboards, and glazed doors that open back onto the veranda. The ground floor shower room is conveniently located at the end of the hallway. An inner hall leads to the kitchen, which is fitted with both base and wall-mounted units, a store cupboard, and space for a freestanding cooker and dishwasher. Additional features include various storage cupboards, a cloakroom, and an external door to the side of the property. The original maid’s staircase provides a useful secondary access to the upper floor. The main staircase is flooded with natural light from a mid-landing window and above is an intricate lattice detail that beautifully echoes the craftsmanship of the wall panelling, balustrade, and spindles. Upstairs, there are five well-proportioned bedrooms. Bedroom five continues the theme of the decorative wall panelling, while bedroom four is accessed via an inner hallway that connects to the maid’s staircase. The family bathroom and a large storage cupboard are also accessed from the inner hall. *
