The McKinley at Plot 03 has its own pocket of mature Scots pine woodland in the garden, with views towards Scolty Hill and the former Deeside Railway line and bridge, and the Burn of Canny to the east.
The ground floor centres around an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, with large windows drawing in natural light. There is the option to add a dividing wall for a more defined layout.
There are five double bedrooms and a private snug – ideal for home working or relaxation. Each level has its own family bathroom, with an ensuite in the ground-floor master bedroom. Integrated storage runs across both floors, with the option of a double garage, solar panels and battery storage.
Specification
With timeless design, spacious layouts and durable materials, the McKinley makes itself at home in Woodend of Glassel.
McKinley | Plot 03
5Bedrooms
3Bathrooms
1.5 Storey
234m²
£775,000Plot and Turnkey Passivhaus from
Discover the McKinley at Woodend of Glassel
What's Included?
Details & Sizing
Inside the McKinley
Why live at a Woodend of Glassel?
Woodland & Wildlife
Surrounded by protected woodland and the Burn of Canny, with views to Scolty Hill. Home to red squirrels, roe deer and woodpeckers.
Passivhaus Certified
79% less heating demand than a typical Scottish new build. Proven with independent Passivhaus certification.
Space & Privacy
Gardens of up to 1,500m² per home, with plenty of space between neighbours.
Turnkey & Net Zero Ready
Locally built homes with heat pumps, EV charging, triple glazing and optional solar panels & battery storage.
Well Connected
Less than five minutes from Banchory & Torphins, with excellent schools, shops, gyms, walking trails and amenities.
Personalised To You
Choose fixtures, finishes and fittings from our range of hardwearing, easy-to-maintain and timeless materials.
The McKinley features a durable timber exterior with a choice of cladding colours and roof finishes. Triple-glazed windows and high-calibre external doors means energy-efficiency is guaranteed.
Slate: Slate is ingrained in Scotland’s rich architectural heritage. A super-strong, natural material, it can last over 100 years and withstand the most challenging weather systems. Selected for quality, it is expertly laid by trained specialists and adds a genuine element of classic charm to your otherwise modern Passivhaus.
Metal: The unique snap lock system means panels have a modern, uniform appearance with no visible fixings. Installed in days, a metal roof is exceptionally durable and weather resistant – offering guaranteed protection for your Passivhaus.
External doors have been carefully selected to guarantee the highest levels of security and insulation. Double the density of standard external doors, we’ve specified high-calibre models with triple glazing, additional locking points, specialist hinges and extra seals. As a result, you’ll feel and hear your door creating a tight seal as it closes, minimising heat loss and keeping your energy bills low.
High performance triple glazing comes as standard – the third pane traps warmth indoors in the colder months and stops your Passivhaus overheating when it’s hot outside. The spaces between each pane of glass are filled with Argon gas, which functions as an acoustic and thermal insulator. It reduces outdoor noise, prevents cold glass surfaces and eliminates condensation – warding off mould growth and keeping the atmosphere in your home a healthy one.
The McKinley has high-quality timber exteriors which have been thermally modified. This natural process changes wood’s cell structure by heating it to 210°C. Moisture and resin are removed, creating an exceptionally durable and stable material – with less risk of shrinking, warping or decay. Paint coatings last up to three times longer, reducing maintenance, and in turn, the lifetime cost of the product. Available in a choice of either silver or black, this sustainable timber cladding helps you achieve a much lower carbon footprint than the render or blockwork more typically used for modern homes.
Our optional double garage follows the same aesthetic language as your Passivhaus. With space for two vehicles, this generous addition provides the perfect space for additional storage or for projects that can’t be completed indoors.
Interior Selections
Muted colour, material continuity and open-plan living areas mean there is space to relax with minimal visual noise. Large, triple-glazed windows flood the McKinley’s interior with natural light. Materials and finishes are hardwearing, easy-to-maintain and timeless – the perfect backdrop for furnishings and personal touches.
We all strive for a decluttered and well-organised home. The McKinley is packed with smart space planning. There are built-in wardrobes, under stairs storage and plenty of space to conceal shoes and jackets. Kitchens and bathrooms are well-appointed with integrated storage.
Our wall paint is ethically sourced from local, UK-based suppliers and guaranteed to give superb coverage. Free from harmful chemicals, these highly pigmented formulations contain high-quality minerals and organic raw materials. The muted, understated shades have been specially selected to fit within the McKinley’s modern interior.
Engineered wood flooring is a long-lasting, low-maintenance surface. Manufactured from real wooden layers that are reinforced with a plywood core, each board contains a unique grain detail and choice of colours. Interlocking boards are highly resistant to scratches, wear and abrasion, making it ideal for high-traffic areas and a busy household.
Our kitchens are made in Scotland, this modern cabinetry has been designed to be hard-wearing, hygienic and easy-to-maintain. Appliances are integrated within the units or concealed behind cabinetry to preserve counter-top space and minimise visual noise. Well-balanced layouts, clean lines and clever integrated storage means the inevitable day-to-day clutter has a place to belong.
A calm, neutral space for daily routines. Single-tone floor to ceiling porcelain tiles have a textured finish, making them durable and easy-to-maintain. Pared-back, tonal shades and clever use of glass partitioning for the walk-in shower enhance the sensation of openness.
Our half-turn staircase comprises two straight flights of stairs, connected by a landing, changing direction by 180º. A compact, modern form, it makes good use of space, neatly fitting between two walls with built-in storage below. Clad in engineered wood to match your flooring, integrates seamlessly at ground level for openness and fluidity.
Recessed lighting comes as standard in every room, set flush within the ceiling providing an even, consistent light.
Fixtures and fittings have been selected for their design, durability and material quality. Flush-to-wall skirting boards, stainless steel door handles, solid metal power sockets & switches act as a neutral backdrop, ready for you to add your own additions.
The bulk of your home’s heat is supplied by ‘passive’ sources. These include sunlight, the body heat of occupants and heat generated by household appliances i.e. boiling the kettle, watching television, showering and cooking. In winter, a small, economical air source heat pump will also help top up warmth.
The McKinley is fitted with a Passivhaus certified Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system MVHR. These units act as your home’s lungs – continually pulling exhaust from the most pollutant generating rooms kitchens, bathrooms and sucking it through a heat exchanger before carrying it to the outside and returning with fresh, filtered air. This entire operation happens silently.
How it works:
Incoming air is pre-warmed by the outgoing air, so you don’t feel any cold draughts
All the air in the home changes every 30 minutes
This prevents the buildup of dust, pollens and odours, reducing hay fever, asthma and eczema triggers
Constant air circulation means your laundry dries fast, cooking odours disappear and your bathroom never steams up
Maintenance is a breeze — just swap out the filters periodically
Careful checks on the design and the installation ensure the MVHR operates efficiently and quietly
Electric car charging points are included. Solar PV and battery storage can be added for an additional cost.
Construction System
With our own factory in the foothills of the Grampians, we know exactly what goes into our Passivhaus homes. At the very heart is our innovative construction system – the Coldwells Build Passivhaus Panel.
Crafted with sustainable materials, this super insulated and airtight closed wall panel, along with roof and floor cassettes, forms a complete timber frame structure, with thermal and acoustic performance baked in.
Generous amounts of recyclable, stone wool is firmly packed within our panels – far exceeding the insulation quantities found in average new builds. A substantial and reliable thermal layer, it curbs heat loss – and keeps your home cool in summer. This extra-thick insulation also acts as a barrier against external noise and means your home remains remarkably quiet inside.
To achieve the Passivhaus standard, your home must be enveloped in a single, continuous airtight layer. Each Coldwells Build Passivhaus achieves this by incorporating a durable airtight board that wraps around our wall panels and roof and floor cassettes. Any small gaps between the boards are carefully taped and sealed to stop heat escaping and wasting energy. This translates to a cosy indoor environment, free from draughts, cold spots and overheating. It also stops moisture and humidity building up, extending the life of your Passivhaus.
We've opted for airtight boards in our construction system because they offer greater durability compared to other options like airtightness membranes. This helps minimise the risk of follow-on trades inadvertently piercing the airtightness layer.
With a sturdy wall thickness of 500mm, the Coldwells Build Passivhaus Panel’s robust and detailed construction makes it unique in its ability to overcome challenging climates. Whether on a snow-prone plot, or an exposed coastal site, your home is guaranteed to keep you comfortable and meet the world-leading Passivhaus standard.
Typically the wall, roof and floor elements in a Passivhaus should aspire to a U-value between 0.10 W/m².K to 0.15 W/m².K. The Coldwells Build Passivhaus Panel eclipses this, with a market-leading U-value ranging from 0.085 W/m2.K to 0.09W/m2.K. When it comes to energy-efficient construction, it doesn’t get better than this.
A controlled environment – away from the unpredictable Scottish weather – is key to achieving impeccable build quality. For this reason, the Coldwells Build Passivhaus Panel is prefabricated in our Aberdeenshire workshop. External timber cladding and high performance windows and doors are pre-installed in the panels before being delivered to your site. This allows for speedy assembly, with the external shell of your home fully complete in days.
Discover the McKinley at Woodend of Glassel
What's Included?
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Discover the McKinley at Woodend of Glassel
What's Included?
Details & Sizing
Inside the McKinley
What's Included?
A comprehensive turnkey package for a ready-to-move into Passivhaus, including the plot. Leave the heavy lifting to us.
The table below shows what is included in our Coldwells Build service. Items marked [✓] are included and delivered by us. Items marked [✗] are to be arranged and paid for separately by you.
Building your own home is complicated. As award-winning master builders with a Passivhaus accredited workforce, we understand the process better than most. Our simple 10-step approach outlines exactly how we manage each project through our Coldwells Build service, ensuring clarity and efficiency.
Choose your plot and house type from our two Passivhaus designs available at Woodend of Glassel, the McKinley or the Davidson.
At the end of your build, Ecology rewards certified Passivhaus homes with the top discount [1.5%] off their standard variable rate.
We develop an overall concept design for your Passivhaus, refining the details to suit your needs.
To guarantee your home meets the Passivhaus standard, it's modelled, optimised and tested in the Passivhaus Planning Package [PHPP].
PHPP is specialist software which accurately predicts how much energy is needed to keep your Passivhaus comfortable all year round. It also allows for design iterations to be tested, giving instant results from any change or tweak.
Our in-house quantity surveyor performs a cost check to ensure the project aligns with your budget, giving you total confidence moving forward.
Planning permission is already approved for the McKinley and Davidson designs at Woodend of Glassel, so you can move straight to choosing from our selection of external finishes, such as cladding, doors and roof materials.
We draft building warrant drawings for submission to Aberdeenshire Council's building standards service.
You choose from our selection of internal finishes, including flooring, kitchen, bathroom and wall colours.
A fixed and final cost is calculated based on the warrant drawings.
Together, we sign a contract outlining our duties and responsibilities for manufacturing your Coldwells Build Passivhaus.
You get a staged payment plan, so you know how much is due and when.
Orders are placed for high-performance windows, doors and a Passivhaus certified ventilation system.
We share a construction programme outlining how long the build will take.
We prepare your site including groundworks, foundations and utility connections. We handle it all as quickly, cleanly and quietly as we can.
We bring your prefabricated Passivhaus to site. It arrives as a set of fully insulated and airtight closed timber wall panels, with cladding, windows and doors pre-installed.
Within days the wall panels are assembled, along with floor and roof cassettes. The roof finish is applied and your Passivhaus is completed externally.
An interim airtightness test is conducted.
The internal fit out begins, plumbing, heating, electrics, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, tiling and decorating. We install everything you've selected for your Passivhaus.
A final airtightness test is conducted.
An independent Passivhaus certifier makes sure your home meets the world-leading standard and fixes a plaque to your home to prove its low-energy credentials.
We complete one last check to ensure everything is exactly as it should be before we hand you the keys.
We walk you through your new home, demonstrating how everything works.
You receive an operations manual for your Coldwells Build Passivhaus.
We will follow up at 6 months to ensure your home is defect free and resolve any snagging issues.
We ask for your feedback and monitor how your Passivhaus is performing.
We'll remain your building partner for as long as it suits your needs.
We provide as much price clarity as we can from the start of the process, but it’s important to understand that various factors will affect the final price of your Coldwells Build Passivhaus. We’ll work with you to firm up costs for the following items, so you can plan your budget with total confidence.
Additional third party reports may be required depending on your site conditions. Examples include: tree survey, contaminated land report, ecological surveys [bats & other animals], asbestos report, etc.
Additional costs may be incurred depending on your ground conditions. Extremely boggy land may require deeper excavation and filling with imported hardcore. Rocky ground may require extra labour and time to cut/break through stone. Sloped sites often require extra digging, filling and levelling.
Pitched Roof Finish: We have included the cost for installing a standing seam metal roof. However, if you prefer the appearance of slate, this can be included in the contract for an additional sum.
Flat Roof Finish: We have included the cost for installing a membrane finish. However, if you prefer a sedum living roof, this can be added to the contract for an additional fee.
These can be included in the contract for an additional cost.
Hard Landscaping: Gravel driveway, patio, path and fencing are included in the advertised price. Additional hard landscaping beyond these items can be included in the contract for an additional cost. These will be discussed and priced before work begins, so you'll understand exactly what's included.
Soft Landscaping: Garden design, including trees, turf and plants can be included in the contract for an additional cost. We’ll connect you with our garden designer.
Your Coldwells Build Passivhaus will operate efficiently without these features. However, if you would like to include them, they can be added to the contract for an additional fee.
A 10-year structural warranty can be included in the contract for an additional cost, provided by Build-Zone, an A-rated insurer. In the UK, mortgage lenders insist all new homes have a Structural Warranty. This is an insurance policy covering the finished home for the first 10 years. It’s the longest that any warranty or insurance policy can run. It’s not related to how long your Passivhaus is expected to last.
The advertised price is based on our classic specification, but you have the option to choose material upgrades.
If you want to explore customisations, we’ll be happy to assist. All we ask is that you understand this will inevitably add time, money and additional complexity to your project.
The Coldwells Build Passivhaus at Woodend of Glassel is predesigned, so the layout, engineering and Passivhaus modelling have mostly been taken care of. The designs are tried-and-tested to meet Passivhaus certification criteria and draw upon well-planned layouts and established manufacturing methods, refined over many years. Sticking to these designs means you can count on the quality of your finished home and keep the build time and costs as low as possible.
Of course, you can make some minor adjustments to the design, like tweaking layouts or window placements, but big changes that need re-engineering or affect the manufacture of the Coldwells Build Passivhaus aren’t possible without a redesign. It’s all possible, but this redesign would then fall under our Custom Build service.
From plot sizes to Passivhaus certification, our FAQs answer the questions we hear most about Woodend of Glassel. If yours isn’t covered, please get in touch.
The five plots are located at Glassel, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 4DB, just a few minutes from Banchory town centre. You can view them on the map here.
There are roadside signs advertising the plots, plus parking where you can pull in and explore the plots on foot.
The advertised price combines two separate prices: your plot, bought from the landowners, Woodend of Glassel Ltd, and your completed, turnkey Passivhaus, built by Coldwells Build Ltd under a separate contract. It includes:
Plot purchase
Architectural design and Passivhaus modelling
Building warrant preparation and management
Structural engineering
Foundations and groundworks
Manufacture and installation of the Passivhaus structure
Triple-glazed windows and external doors
Roof coverings, gutters and downpipes
Ventilation system
Plumbing, heating and electrical installation
EV charging point
Utility connections
Kitchen, bathrooms and sanitaryware
Decoration, flooring and tiling
Gravel driveway, path, patio and fencing
Independent Passivhaus certification
Introductions to structural warranty providers [warranty insurance priced separately]
Optional Extras:
Solar PV and battery storage
Double or single garage
Soft landscaping [trees, turf and planting]
Additional hard landscaping beyond the gravel driveway, patio, path and fencing already included
Any extras will be discussed and priced before work begins, so you'll know exactly what's included in your fixed price.
Woodend of Glassel offers a rare opportunity to build a fully certified Passivhaus home in a private woodland setting, just minutes from Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
As North East Scotland’s first private Passivhaus development, it combines contemporary design, generous plot sizes and world-leading energy performance. A Passivhaus has 79% less heating demand than a home built to current Scottish building regulations.
Living in your Passivhaus:
Tiny, predictable heating bills
Fresh, filtered air in every room, day and night
Warm, quiet and draught-free all year round
Triple-glazed windows and premium finishes throughout
Independently tested and certified to the Passivhaus Standard, so you know it performs as promised
Building with us:
A fixed-price, turnkey home
A guaranteed move-in date
The flexibility to personalise your Passivhaus from our selection of finishes
Built by award-winning contractor Coldwells Build using local, Passivhaus-certified tradespeople
Designed by John Gilbert Architects, Scotland’s leading certified Passivhaus design practice
Independent certification to the Passivhaus Standard by WARM, one of the few UK-based certifiers working on behalf of Germany’s Passivhaus Institut
Management through our 24/7 online build portal
Dedicated aftercare support
Low-maintenance design
Most buyers use a self-build mortgage. These are designed for projects like this, releasing funds in stages as your build progresses rather than as a single lump sum.
We work with two self-build finance specialists, BuildStore and Ecology Building Society, who can talk you through your options. Lending is subject to each lender's own checks.
Some lenders also offer better rates for energy-efficient homes. Ecology Building Society, for example, offers up to 1.5% off its standard variable rate once your certified Passivhaus is complete.
Each home at Woodend of Glassel has approximately 1,110m² to 1,500m² of private garden [0.27 to 0.37 acres], depending on the plot. There's also a 600m² shared green space within the development, and plenty of separation between neighbours. The homes are carefully positioned among the trees to make the most of privacy, views and sunlight.
The plots at Woodend of Glassel are sold as self-build plots by Woodend of Glassel Ltd. You will purchase the plot from Woodend of Glassel Ltd.
Once you've secured your plot, Coldwells Build will work with you to finalise your chosen Passivhaus, specification and pricing. Each home is delivered via our full turnkey service.
Yes. Every home at Woodend of Glassel must follow the development's design statement. It ensures the five homes sit well together and suit their woodland setting, with limits on height, size, roof style and materials. It also requires every new home to be certified to the Passivhaus Standard, so the whole development stays highly energy efficient.
The McKinley and Davidson designs already meet it. A different design may be possible, as long as it meets the design statement and receives its own planning approval.
The landowners will share a copy of the design statement with you before you buy your plot.
From buying your plot to moving in typically takes around 12 to 15 months. That includes finalising your design, manufacturing your home and building it on site.
If you'd like big changes to the layout, or a different design from our Passivhaus range, you may need new planning permission. This typically adds an extra three months.
Before work begins, we'll give you a guaranteed move-in date, so you'll know exactly when to expect your keys.
Most of the homes have at least 20 metres of separation between neighbouring dwellings. Plots 01 and 02 sit closer together, but are staggered so neither overlooks the other. Existing woodland, retained trees and new landscaping help provide screening between plots. The layout has been carefully designed to maximise views, sunlight and a sense of space while maintaining the character of a small rural woodland community.
From buying your plot to moving in typically takes around 12 to 15 months. That includes finalising your design, manufacturing your home and building it on site. Before work begins, we’ll give you a guaranteed move-in date, so you’ll know exactly when to expect your keys. You can also follow progress through our 24/7 online build portal.
Yes. Every home at Woodend of Glassel is designed and built to achieve full Passivhaus certification from Germany's Passivhaus Institut, the organisation that created the standard.
Before a certificate is awarded, independent certifiers WARM review your home's design, construction details, materials, test results and energy modelling. It's a far more thorough check than the standard building control inspections every new home in the UK goes through.
Once WARM is satisfied that your home meets the Passivhaus Standard, you'll receive an official Passivhaus certificate, and a Passivhaus plaque will be fixed to your home.
Yes. While full planning permission has already been granted for each house design, there's opportunity to personalise your Passivhaus.
You can choose from a selection of cladding colours, roofing materials, fixtures, fittings and optional features to create a home that reflects your own style and preferences.
For example, if a design features a standing seam metal roof and you'd prefer natural slate, we can make that possible. Our team will guide you through the available options.
Yes. Full planning permission has already been granted for the house designs shown on each plot at Woodend of Glassel, allowing construction to proceed without planning delays.
However, if you'd prefer a different design from our Passivhaus range, we can certainly accommodate this. In that case, we'd need to obtain planning approval for the alternative design, which typically adds around three months to the programme.
We'll manage the planning process on your behalf and provide an updated programme and guaranteed move-in date before work begins.
Each homeowner is responsible for maintaining their own plot and garden. The shared areas, including the communal amenity space and access road, will be maintained by the five homeowners, who each pay an equal share. An annual contribution will be collected into a communal fund to cover ongoing maintenance and ensure these areas are kept to a high standard for everyone to enjoy.
Full details of the maintenance arrangements and any associated costs will be provided before you commit to purchasing your plot.
The homes at Woodend of Glassel have been designed by John Gilbert Architects, Scotland's leading certified Passivhaus design practice. With extensive experience designing high-performance, low-energy homes, John Gilbert Architects have carefully balanced contemporary design, practicality and energy efficiency to create homes that respond to the site while achieving full Passivhaus certification.
The homes will be built by Coldwells Build Ltd. As one of the only contractors in the UK with a fully trained Passivhaus workforce, we're committed to making sustainable, design-driven homes as accessible as possible.
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