The house that grew in every direction

Once a tiny cottage, this East Lothian home has certainly expanded its horizons, says Kirsty Mcluckie

West Drive House, East Linton is a superb example of a large country house that has grown from quite modest beginnings.

The property started out as a humble gamekeeper’s cottage in the grounds of a larger estate, but over the last couple of decades has been redesigned, extended and improved.

Existing outbuildings were incorporated or replaced as the house spread outwards at every angle while keeping the integrity and charm of the original cottage.

As it is now, it is a six-bedroomed main house, over two floors and centred around a courtyard, with a charming architectdesigned two-bedroomed annexe attached. As such it presents a wealth of choice for different uses.

The annexe could be incorporated into the main house, provide guest accommodation or be run as a holiday let.

David Mcphail, who is marketing the property for Simpson & Marwick, says that the current owners added the latest wood-clad extension to create a comfortable house suitable for multigenerational living.

“The extension was built around seven years ago for grandparents coming to live with a large family with young children,” he says.

“It is connected but can be entirely self contained, and has been carefully designed so that it doesn’t overlook the central courtyard – essentially the two living spaces are very private – so although it is part of the property, it could work well for letting too.”

West Drive is within the North Berwick school catchment area and close to East Linton and North Berwick, so the house is likely to attract city workers with schoolaged children who want a quiet rural life.

The main house at West Drive has at its centre a generous dining kitchen and family room.

It has been fitted out in a modern country style, with cream kitchen units, a Belfast sink, range cooker, central island unit and has both a utility room and French doors to the garden.

The ground floor also has a separate double-aspect sitting room with woodburning stove and off the central hall are four double bedrooms, a family bathroom and an additional shower room.

This floor is substantial enough for most families in itself, but upstairs is an exquisite master bedroom suite with its own dressing room and bathroom plus a guest suite with bedroom and shower room.

The annexe is more modest, but its contemporary style is impressive. It has a dining kitchen, two ensuite bedrooms and a beautiful south-facing sitting room with bi-fold doors to the outside paved terrace.

The grounds at West Drive House are beautiful. Measuring just shy of an acre, they include the sheltered courtyard with a dining area which leads on to the kitchen garden with raised beds and a greenhouse.

Further out are lawns, flower beds and mature trees and a gate which leads to the surrounding woodland walks, placing the house at the centre of its own space.

Offers over £795,000, contact Simpson & Marwick on 01620 892000