Cal Hunter and Claire Segeren intended to buy a flat in Glasgow at an auction, but a misunderstanding led them to purchase a quarter share of a dilapidated Victorian villa in Dunoon, 35 miles away. The mix-up occurred when Cal, struggling with the auctioneer's Glaswegian accent, bid on the wrong property.
The couple, who met on a ski trip and wanted to start a new life in Scotland, paid £10,000 for what they thought was a city flat. Instead, they acquired a rundown villa with a collapsing roof and rotten timbers, which had been derelict for decades.
Despite the shock, they tracked down the other three owners and eventually bought the entire property. One owner even accepted a loss after seeing the state of the 120-year-old house. The couple moved into a caravan in the garden and began renovations, relying on carpentry skills and help from friends and the local community.
Two years on, they have yet to move in, but the once-notorious eyesore is being restored. Cal said, 'It's on the main road so everyone has been watching it crumble and disappear.' Claire added, 'We have made incredible friends and strengthened amazing relationships with people.'
