The Herald - The Herald Magazine
The latest news from the property market
MAJOR changes in society seldom happen overnight, yet within only a matter of months Covid19 has significantly altered the working environment, the housing market and the nature of our work-life balance. In property terms, the sudden move to home working gave the opportunity to re-think lifestyle choices, which surveyors DM Hall says has led to an extraordinary alignment of supply and demand, for example in cities such as Edinburgh, where the property market for the last few years has been marked by pent-up demand … and is now seeing an unprecedented increase in supply.
The market has gone from zero to full ahead in the blink of an eye, according to Andrew Milne, residential partner in DM Hall’s Edinburgh office. “The flood of supply stems from a number of factors: people who were ready to move in March but were prevented; people who have reflected on their lifestyles and have been emboldened by lockdown and working from home; and those who want more space than is available in cities.
“Many are now looking to outlying locations such as East and West Lothian and Fife which, while not cheap, have significant benefits if the commute is reduced to one or two days a week.” The firm also reports a noticeable uptake in high-end properties in the capital fuelled by ex-pat Scots returning home to take advantage of the communications revolution.
MORE of a twinset than camisole type of place, the historic town of Crieff in Highland Perthshire is not where you would expect to find a cutting-edge development, particularly one named The Old Bowling Green. But this niche development of architect-designed mews apartments and detached villas from Struan Homes offers something different in luxurious and sustainable living with a design that is sleek and minimalist in style, with high-spec interiors and flexible living spaces.
Struan Homes has opted for an innovative, robust and future-proof construction material with superior insulation qualities, which combined with underfloor heating, ultra-efficient double glazing, A-rated condensing boilers and solar panels, allows for low maintenance costs and first-rate energy saving credentials.
Each of the 10 apartment and four villas will also have a private parking space, electric vehicle charging, and superfast broadband.
Apartments are priced at
£345,000 and villas are
£499,994.
WOW factor is an understatement in terms of describing the visual impact of Renfrewshire’s oldest house, Blackhall Manor, an ancient B-listed house tucked away on the southern side of Paisley well screened by over half-an-acre of mature gardens and woodland. Although a very modest house in the context of Scottish ‘castles’, Blackhall has a history stretching back 850 years and connections with some of the most important figures in Scotland’s emergence as an independent nation.
The three-storey house has a fascinating history but by the mid 1800s it had become a farmhouse and by the 1930s, its status had declined to that of a coal-shed after which it was gifted to the Burgh of Paisley. Blackhall lay neglected for many years and it was only a public outcry that saved it from demolition. In 1982 the property was purchased and underwent restoration using reclaimed stone and timber.
Today, Blackhall’s appearance is that of a mid-16th Century house with crowstepped gables, cobbled access, window grilles, intricate stone carvings (including the occasional gargoyle) and quintessentially, a substantial studded front door. Internally, the accommodation, spread between four floors, has all the character, quirks and features of its time, based where possible on the remaining evidence, yet also comfortably meets the needs of modern lifestyles.
Set well back from Barrhead Road, the gardens are a key feature that belie Blackhall’s proximity to Paisley Town Centre. Accessed through gates and a new driveway emerging into a parking/turning space, the gardens have areas of lawn bordered by well-stocked beds, mature trees, hedging and bushes; an arbour and pergola; wild woodland and shrubbery garden – also a gravel terrace complete with stone folly, double garage and various stores.
Restored, beautifully presented and capable of seeing the next 850 years, Blackhall Manor is a very desirable family home with a unique character and history. Offers over £395,000
LITTLE Trochry Farm near Dunkeld in Perthshire is a do-upper project with scope for a whole lot more.
While the traditional two-storey house has two reception rooms with solid fuel fireplaces, kitchen, cloakroom, boxroom, two bedrooms and bathroom, it also has two garden areas, three acres of additional grazing, and a range of modern and traditional semiredundant farm buildings, which could be reconfigured for a variety of uses subject to the necessary planning consents. Further details from Bidwells in Perth, which seeks offers over £380,000.