THE VOICE OF PROPERTY

SCOTLAND’S largest free annual architectural event, Doors Open Days has been celebrating heritage and the built environment in Scotland since 1990 and takes place every September, giving visitors a free opportunity to see inside and explore hundreds of fascinating buildings, many not normally open to the public.

This year, however, is a game-changer, as Open Days is going virtual in response to COVID-19 and will celebrate Scotland’s buildings and stories in safety online through tours, lectures, DIY learning events, webinars and more with a focus on Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Argyll. Anyone with an internet connection and speakers will be able to join.

Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, Dr Susan O’Connor, said: “We’re delighted to encourage our venues to become more digital this year through Doors Open Days – it’s the best way to reach a broader range of people with Scotland’s unique heritage, both at home and across the world. In particular we’re looking forward to helping our beautiful buildings and places become more accessible to those who wouldn’t normally be able to take part in Doors Open Days for physical or cultural reasons. Making the built environment easier for everyone to enjoy is a core part of what we do.”

Sign up on www.doorsopendays.org.uk

WHILE the second-hand property market continues to witness extremely high levels of activity, Scotland’s new homes market is seeing a return of buyers, particularly in the case of new homes with a certainty of being completed before the end of March 2021, when the temporary LBTT holiday comes to an end.

And some builders are tempting buyers with additional incentives: Allanwater Homes is currently offering £7,000 inclusive to personalise a new threestorey Deveron Mill House (priced from £274,995) at its Hayford Mills development in Cambusbarron. In addition, there is a £3,000 offer to personalise a newly released two-bedroomed apartment, starting from £162,500. See allanwater.co.uk for more details and/or to book an appointment to view.

MERITING distinction for location and appearance is a contemporary detached villa completed in 2006 within Whitecraigs, one of the most coveted residential neighbourhoods on the south side of Glasgow. Only a few minutes’ walk from Whitcraigs train station and Rouken Glen Park, the design of this family home mirrors the scale and size of a more traditional property yet offers all the advantages of a modern build designed for family living.

Extending to over 4,000 sq ft over two floors, the layout is flexible and incorporates a number of stand-out features, the most immediately obvious being a 20ft doubleheight reception hall with atrium, two reception rooms with floor-toceiling windows and feature fireplaces, and a 45ft open-plan kitchen/dining/ family area with views over the rear gardens and French doors onto a decked terrace.

Upstairs a minstrel gallery-style landing incorporates more storage and leads to five double bedrooms, family bathroom (with separate shower) and extensive storage – two bedrooms have an en suite shower room, the principal bedroom also has a Juliet-style balcony and two dressing rooms,

The outdoor space has been equally well thought through with a decked terrace along the rear while all three remaining bedrooms feature fitted wardrobes.

Quality shines out in the choice of materials and fittings – American dark walnut internal doors and stair balustrade, decorative plasterwork, convenient internal vacuuming system, tiled hall and staircase – and a bespoke fitted kitchen with stone and glass work surfaces, integrated appliances and island unit. There is also a separate utility and cloakroom.

The outside space has been equally well designed and includes a decked terrace that extends along the rear elevation of the house – a perfect entertaining venue, as is the very sizeable rear garden beyond, which features an expansive lawn and

Tanglewood is configured upside down with the living area taking full advantage of the sloping site and opening out on to landscaped gardens, pictured top and below left

and a double bedroom/reception room. And at ground level is a reception hall (notable for its abundant storage), fully tiled family bathroom with bath and separate double-sized shower, utility/ laundry, and four double bedrooms – master with fully fitted en suite dressing room and shower room, while the remaining bedrooms all have built-in wardrobes (all five bedrooms are internet enabled).

Interior features include engineered oak and porcelain tiled flooring (the staircase is also oak), high-end fitted/integrated kitchen with, porcelaintopped island. Other notable features include a new central heating system with energy efficient Nest boiler. Outside, Tanglewood is accessed by a tree-lined driveway and surrounded by open countryside – offers over £695,000 to Cullen Kilshaw’s office in Peebles.