Home fit for a hero
Birthplace of illustrious Spitfire pilot who made history, writes
estate agents are not kidding when they describe tidings Hill as a ‘historical’ home – for a son of this house helped to make headlines the world over.
Group Captain George Denholm was a spitfire pilot who shot down the first German bomber to crash on British soil during the second World War.
He followed that up with an even bigger coup, helping to down the Luftwaffe aircraft carrying the deputy Führer of the third Reich, Rudolf Hess, in May 1941.
Denholm was born in tidings Hill the year it was built, in 1908, and lived there until he died in 1997.
the site was chosen by his father, who ran the shipping line J&J Denholm, which is still successfully trading under a British flag.
It must have been something of a luxury when – commissioning your own home – you build it in such a way that you can see your ships sailing home.
Bo’ness in West Lothian had been, since medieval times, one of the most important ports in scotland due to its location on the Firth of Forth. and perhaps tidings Hill carries the influence of a merchant who had sailed the seven seas.
there’s a touch of the Jacobean about the tall chimneys but the overall stamp is one of arts and Crafts in the style of edinburgh architect alexander Hunter Crawford.
Mercifully, original features have survived the division of the house at some time in the past into two semi-detached properties.
the one for sale through savills retains gorgeous touches such as stone mullioned windows with leaded astragals.
the drawing room is a particular delight, with its ingleneuk fireplace and oak-panelled walls. the legend ‘ane’s ain Hearth is Cowd’s Worth’ still stands above the fire.
the Dictionary of the scots Language suggests the word ‘cowd’ means ‘a boat that sails pleasantly’, which fits comfortably with the original owner’s business.
tidings Hill is nicely laid out for entertaining and modern family living. the hall leads to a grand oak-panelled sitting room, with a dining area in one direction and a fabulous open-plan kitchen and family room in the other.
the first floor houses a master bedroom, with separate bathroom, and a further three bedrooms plus family bathroom.
the original servants’ quarters, on the second floor, are today used as a bedroom.
If it was early 20th century economics which placed the house here – remember, Denholm was keeping an eye on his fleet – then modern economics have made a judgment on it, too.
should tidings Hill be located four miles away, in Linlithgow, for example, the asking price would be considerably higher than the £690,000 sought.
Predictably, it is another form of transport that has this influence on prices.
Linlithgow enjoys a cherished spot on the Glasgow to edinburgh railway line, putting both of scotland’s major cities within a 30-minute reach.
But tidings Hill is of course not in Linlithgow, and this presents any potential purchaser with the possibility of picking up a B-listed bargain.
Offers over £690,000 to Andrew Thomson. Telephone 0131 247 3738 or email athomson@savills.com.