Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who owns and manages Inchmarlo?
A. Inchmarlo is owned and managed by Skene Enterprises (Aberdeen) Ltd, which is part of The Skene Group, a family business founded by Charles P. Skene CBE, which includes Skene House and Skene Business Centres. The Director & General Manager of Inchmarlo House is Julie Mackenzie, a highly experienced and qualified registered nurse, who has worked at Inchmarlo for many years. Julie is supported by her Deputy Manager and approximately 100 other staff, including nurses, care assistants, activity co-ordinators and various community liaison, kitchen, housekeeping, security, gardening and support staff.
Facilities & Activities
Q. What facilities are there for the owners?
A. Our homeowners enjoy an active social life within a secure and sociable community of like-minded people. An added comfort is Inchmarlo House, a magnificent listed Georgian mansion, which has a bar restaurant for lunches and a hair salon, and is also a 52-bed care home, which offers help and support 24/7 if required.
Q. What activities and events are there for homeowners?
A. Inchmarlo promotes active retirement living so staff and homeowners organise a monthly calendar of activities and special events to make sure there is something to suit everyone, including bridge, board games, craft groups, discussion groups, putting or croquet. The monthly Diary of Events also includes news from the estate and information of interest to homeowners.
Day to day living
Q. Is there someone available to help with my garden?
A. Only houses at Garden Wood have their own private garden, so most homeowners do not need to worry about gardening. However, many homeowners have plants or flowers on their balconies or patios, and our gardeners are happy to provide advice and assistance.
Q. Can I get home deliveries to Inchmarlo?
A. Many local supermarkets and suppliers make regular deliveries to Inchmarlo, including a milkman and fishmonger. There is also a newspaper “shed” next to the staff house, where newspapers are delivered for collection by homeowners.
Q. Is there security on the estate?
A. Inchmarlo offers a safe and secure environment. Security patrol the estate 24/7, providing peace-of-mind to homeowners. Our Security Wardens can also provide general assistance such as organising repairs and emergency property assistance. Our Community Liaison staff visit homeowners regularly to offer support and information.
Q. Is care available at all times?
A. There is always someone to answer calls at Inchmarlo House day or night, 24/7. We have a registered nurse and care assistants on duty at all times. Homeowners also have the added peace-of-mind of knowing that if their needs change, emergency care can be provided from Inchmarlo House, which allows homeowners to stay in their own home longer than may be the case elsewhere, resulting in significant financial savings compared to the cost of a care home.
Q. What if I need emergency assistance?
A. All homes at Inchmarlo are fitted with an emergency help-call unit (with optional pendants), which are linked to Tunstall Call Centre so staff can receive and respond to any emergency request for assistance 24/7.
Q. Can I get help in my own home?
A. On arriving at Inchmarlo, all homeowners will receive a visit from Community Liaison who will discuss available services and facilities. We also offer a comprehensive range of additional services at Inchmarlo, including a bar restaurant and hair salon. For convenience, the cost of these extras is added to the monthly invoice.
Getting around
Q. Are there any internal transport services?
A. We offer a free mini-bus shuttle service for activities organised by the company within the estate.
Q. Is there a local bus service available?
A. There are regular bus services to Banchory, Aberdeen and across Royal Deeside from a bus stop outside the main entrance to Inchmarlo. Timetables are available online and at the South Lodge. The journey time to Aberdeen is around one hour. Free bus travel Scotland-wide is available for the over 60s.
Q. What facilities are nearby?
A. Banchory is less than 2 miles east of Inchmarlo and has many shops (including Tesco, Morrisons and Co-op), restaurants, cafes, a gym and a leisure centre at Banchory Sports Village, which has a swimming pool. Banchory also has several churches and a library. Next door to the estate is Inchmarlo Golf Centre with coffee shop, a nine hole golf course and driving range.
About the charges
Q. Is there a service charge payable?
A. To enable us to maintain Inchmarlo’s high standards, all homeowners contribute to the cost of managing the village and estate through a weekly service charge. The service charge is reviewed annually. However, to give homeowners financial security, the initial service charge is increased by no more than 2% above an annual Government inflationary index.
Q. What is included in the service charge?
A. The service charge is designed to cover the costs of managing Inchmarlo on behalf of homeowners. In addition to managing the common areas of the village and estate, the service charge also includes an allocation towards the costs of those staff who provide the support essential to the running of Inchmarlo including management, catering, community liaison, security and gardening staff. To see the full list of services and benefits enjoyed by those living at Inchmarlo, which are covered by the service charge, please ask the Sales Manager.
Q. What isn’t included in my monthly invoice?
A. As homeowners own their property, they are responsible for their utility bills (water, gas and electricity), council tax, TV licence, home contents insurance, nurse call-outs and assistance from security.
Q. Is my home insured?
A. Inchmarlo arranges building insurance for all apartments under a block policy, for which owners are charged annually. Owners of houses have to arrange their own building insurance.