The Herald - The Herald Magazine
A heavenly restoration
LEIGHTON House is a unique property situated within the heart of Dunblane’s conservation area directly opposite Dunblane Cathedral. Originally an important church building designed by renowned local architect William Stirling, Leighton Church was built in the 1830s to replace a smaller meeting house on the site. After falling into disuse, much of the church was demolished in 1957 but the façade, porch, vestry and church hall were restored and incorporated into a new structure in the 1960s and continued as a religious centre for almost another 50 years until 2013 when the building was converted to residential use.
Meticulously upgraded since, this semi-detached property is a truly unique family home that incorporates many of its reinstated original features – a combination that will excite buyers who are looking for a standout character property in a very desirable setting.
Arranged around a central courtyard, the one-level accommodation is accessed by the original church entrance porch and imposing arched double-leafed front door into what was the former church hall – now an amazing 34ft open-plan living/kitchen area with flagged stone floor and under-floor heating, two arched tracery windows and log-burning stove.
The kitchen is fitted with handmade painted oak units paired with granite work surfaces, integrated appliances, full-height larder fridge and freezer and large island unit housing two ovens, ceramic hob and breakfast bar.
Flagged stone flooring continues up a few steps to the old vestry, now a spacious dining room with French doors to the gardens. Off this room is a utility fitted with handmade painted oak units to match the kitchen.
The main hallway leads to five bedrooms and a bathroom and has double doors opening onto a delightful enclosed courtyard garden, which can also be accessed from the master bedroom, which includes a fully tiled en suite bathroom.
The house has private gardens to the front, side and rear in addition to the courtyard
garden with a Japanese maple as the centrepiece – the addition of stone seating and raised beds makes this a particularly attractive and sheltered private space. There is also driveway parking with space for several cars.
Other notable features include recently installed gas-fired underfloor heating, and all the windows have been upgraded with new double-glazed units, excluding the restored tracery windows in the living/kitchen area.
Dunblane is a highly sought after cathedral town to the north of Stirling, well placed for road and rail connections to major towns and cities within central Scotland.
Leighton House is for sale with Aberdein Considine’s Stirling office at offers over £585,000.