The Herald - The Herald Magazine
SCOTLAND’S QUALITY PROPERTY GUIDE
ASPECTS ALL AREAS CHECK OUT THE 180 DEGREE VIEWS FROM THIS REMARKABLE HOME ON THE SOUTH-WEST COAST –
THERE are many remarkable things about Braesyde, one of Dumfries and Galloway’s most stunning coastal properties. The 180-degree sun room is one example, the glorious guest bedroom with its glass ‘walls’ is another. One of the most intriguing, however, is the revelation that when current owners Bill and Anne Ford added a three-level extension to their home, they started from the top down.
“It really is an upside down house, in all kinds of ways,” laughs Bill. “Because the land is on a 30 degree slope, the main entrance takes you in to what is a one-level bungalow, which then has three ‘living levels’ below it.”
He smiles: “And when we built the extension, we started with the top level, supported by steel columns, and added the bottom two levels later on.”
The story of Braesyde begins in 1998, when the Fords stumbled across a derelict property on overgrown land near Kippford, a popular village on the Urr Estuary.
“We had been searching for a new house for two years,” says Bill. “In the late 90s, estate agents were still using billboards, and it took us forever to find the one advertising this place, which we had spotted for sale in the newspaper.
“When we did find it, it was overgrown, with a chalet-type building in the middle. We turned round and saw the views – and that was that.”
He laughs: “It took us two years to find it – and two minutes to decide to buy it.”
Bill’s construction industry experience was invaluable in what proved to be a challenging project.
“The whole base is granite, and because of the slope, it made sense to follow the contours of the hill,” he explains.
“We designed it from scratch, really to take full advantage of the incredible views.”
Ten years ago, the couple added the breathtakingly beautiful sun room on the top floor, complete with triple-glazed, selfcleaning 180-degree windows.
Around seven years later, they added a two-storey extension underneath, completing the distinctive building.
The entrance hallway and garage take you in to the original building, with a staircase leading down to the rest of the house.
Highlights include the large, openplan sitting and dining room, with its exposed roof trusses, stone chimney and woodburning stove, and stylish, contemporary décor.
This space opens on to the magnificent sun room, Bill’s favourite place in the property.
“It is just fantastic,” he says.
The property also includes an attractive, recently-refurbished kitchen, with hardwood floor and handy breakfast bar; a useful utility room and shower room; plus a fantastic master bedroom suite with dressing room and recently refurbished wet room.
This room has superb views too, thanks to its 90-degree, curved glass wall, which has been fitted with powered curtains.
The aforementioned guest suite includes a double bedroom with lounge area, en-suite and another curved glass wall with fine views over the Estuary.
There are two further double bedrooms, one of which opens on to a large sun lounge;
We designed it from scratch, really to take full advantage of the incredible views
a cellar; and a fully insulated and double glazed summer house which doubles up as a barbecue hut. It is not difficult to imagine whiling away the long, summer evenings in the hut or on the decking, admiring the views.
The pretty terraced garden is lowmaintenance, thanks to its artificial lawn, and it is a perfect spot for kids to play, entertaining or enjoying the views.
The sun room on the ground floor is almost identical to the one on the top floor, and as Bill points out, this lower level, which also includes a shower room and a main door, could be perfect for families looking for a ‘granny annexe’.
He explains: “This whole lower level is ideal for modern family living – it would make a great space for an elderly relative or an independent teenager.”
The location is fantastic. Kippford, which is home to the Solway Sailing Club, is popular with tourists and locals alike, boasting lovely shops, tea rooms and a village hall.
The nearby town of Dalbeattie is a bustling mix of shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and amenities, with wellregarded schools and popular park, and local transport links to Glasgow and Edinburgh are good.
The market town of Castle Douglas, which is known as Scotland’s Food Town is within easy reach, and the whole surrounding area of the south west of Scotland is well known for its mild climate, attractive unspoilt countryside and the diversity of sporting and recreational pursuits.
“It is a very family-friendly house, in a lovely location, and we will miss it very much,” explains Bill. The couple are emigrating to Australia to be closer to their grandchildren.
“Our children were almost grown up when we moved in to Braesyde 20 years ago, but it was always designed as a family home.”
He adds: “We wanted to fill it with space and light, and always make the most of those wonderful views.”