Keeping it country
Fabulous home offers rural life just a hop from the city, says Paul Drury
FOR those who crave a rural idyll with speedy access to the city, Cross Roads could be the perfect property. The daily choice facing the owners of this country home is simply which window to gaze out from.
Truly, every room has a view at Cross Roads, nestled by the Edinburgh suburb of Currie within the Pentland Hills Regional Park.
The white harled house, part of which is believed to date from the 17th century, enjoys panoramic 360-degree views across southwest Edinburgh, the Pentlands and the bridges over the Forth to Fife.
There is also an abundance of wildlife on the doorstep, surprising considering its proximity to the capital.
Cross Roads sits at the end of a quiet country road yet the City Bypass can be reached in a matter of minutes. This superb home combines a country feel with all the modern benefits of double glazing, high-end kitchen equipment and even a sauna.
There are handsome fireplaces scattered around the house and cosy log-burning stoves to keep winter at bay. It is clear that this five-bedroom home has been tastefully and substantially upgraded by its present owners.
Selling agent Rettie says the interiors and fittings have been conceived with the help of leading designers and architects. The high-quality light oak flooring and bespoke oak furnishings contribute to a feeling of cosiness.
The kitchen is a showstopper, warmed by an Aga and sporting a stylish central island plus a wine fridge to keep the pinot grigio at a nicely chilled 5C.
From there, it’s just a few steps to the lovely dining area, with twin aspects to the garden.
You enter the property via the porch, which leads to the reception hallway next to the kitchen.
The sauna has an adjoining wet room, a number of utility rooms, and next to it a gym and a neat study that could easily work as a home office. On the first floor sits the principal bedroom, with en suite bathroom, three further double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a guest bedroom suite with shower room.
From here, access can be gained to the floored attic, which could provide excellent storage space or could offer the potential for further development.
The mature gardens extend to almost three-quarters of an acre, with a pond and vegetable garden to the front. A south-facing patio flanks the house at the rear.
Outbuildings include a garage and garden shed, both with an electricity supply, and a log store.
Local road connections are superb, with the M8 only two miles to the north and Edinburgh Airport four miles away.
For all its association with the capital – Edinburgh’s city centre is barely seven miles away – Currie has managed to maintain ancient traditions that are all its own, including the annual Currie Riding of the Marches on the first Saturday of May.
Big city, country life? This place gives you both.
Offers over £1,375,000 to Laura Mathieson at Rettie on 0131 624 4066 or email laura.mathieson@rettie.co.uk.