An award-winning National Trust for Scotland property in Angus is soon to go on the market.
The A-listed old schoolhouse at Logie, known as “the Mud Hut”, was restored for £390,000 in 2009 and won the Europa Nostra Award for building conservation.
Its tenant Joe Wishart is leaving the house after six years and spoke of a “great, great adventure” in the building he went to church in as a child.
The property is made from straw and clay, and is one of the most complete surviving examples of “mudwall” building in Scotland.
Mr Wishart said: “I’ve always known that the National Trust for Scotland intended to sell the property, so I knew I had to make the most of my time here.
“They have been very good with me.
“I have travelled across the county giving talks about the Mud House and inviting people back for afternoon tea with my renowned Victoria sponge, or a lunch, or a Christmas evening with mulled wine and mince pies not only to see what a great restoration the NTS have done, but enjoy it with me.”
In the past the clay and straw building was used as a school and a church, but it fell into disrepair after being abandoned in 1990 and was earmarked for demolition.
It was saved at the 11th hour when neighbour Michael Maltman recognised its significance and it was taken over by the National Trust for Scotland’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme.
The £390,000 project to restore the house as a one-bedroom home received funding from Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government and Angus Council.
As a condition of the Scottish Government grant, the schoolhouse was to be made available to a local tenant at an affordable rent for six years before being sold.
The NTS has asked Mr Wishart to stay as a tenant, and he will move on to stay in the East Lodge at the House of Dun once that property is refurbished.
The Mud House will then go on the market.
As a goodbye to the property, Mr Wishart has organised a daffodil tea this Saturday and Sunday afternoon, raising funds for Marie Curie nurses.
An NTS spokesman said: “We hope that the house has been a happy home for the past six years and we wish Mr Wishart well in his new residence.”
A market value for the unusual property has not yet been decided.