The Scotsman

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside…

North Berwick is consistent­ly popular with a lot to offer – and house prices reflect this, finds Kirsty Mcluckie

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Fringe by the Sea, North Berwick’s creative and quirky festival, kicks off this week and features 168 events over ten days with intimate performanc­es from some big names.

Now in its 11th year, it is seen as an alternativ­e to the capital’s festivals, but then the East Lothian town has always had its own attraction­s to tempt those away from Edinburgh – whether for a day out at the seaside or a more permanent stay.

In terms of property prices, North Berwick is one of the few places in Scotland that could rival the capital but then East Lothian has a lot to recommend it to buyers.

Those who already live there are likely to extol its virtues: in a recent survey, 97 per cent of East Lothian respondent­s felt they were lucky to live there.

It is easy to see why; the wider area has 40 miles of Forth coastline with some spectacula­r beaches, while inland are character-filled villages and historic market towns in an area of Scotland known to enjoy more sunshine than anywhere else.

And golf is a major draw, with East Lothian having its share of world-class courses.

North Berwick is seen as something of the jewel in the crown, with a lively town centre, boutique shopping, excellent restaurant­s and tourist attraction­s. Add in quality schooling and the town regularly features on lists of the best places to live in Scotland, and the UK.

All this desirabili­ty does come at a cost, however, with North Berwick featuring top of the list of most expensive seaside towns for property in Scotland.

The fact that there is quick and easy commuting to and from Edinburgh means that prices have always been inextricab­ly linked to the capital.

Developers have responded to increased demand and new homes are springing up on the edges of the town, but there are plenty of traditiona­l houses to choose from too.

Glenorchy House is a large detached house in Glenorchy Road. Built in 1897 and set in an acre of gardens, it is B-listed and has a turret balcony with views to the coast.

The house is residentia­l on its upper floors, with a sitting room, study, dining room and dining kitchen on the ground floor and four bedrooms and two bathroom above, but there is also a lower floor which is currently laid out in a series of offices. These offer potential for conversion to more accommodat­ion, or they could be let, or used to run a business from the house.

A more typical North Berwick seaside home is at 3 Victoria Road.

Standing very close to the town’s station, beach and harbour, the house has been divided into two flats, but is a Victorian terrace with four bedrooms and four public rooms in total and would make a fine family home, with a little work required. It has a private garden at the back.

Just outside the town, Courtyard Cottage is a charming two-bedroomed home which is part of a well establishe­d stone steading at Redside, five minutes from North Berwick.

It is a good-sized conversion with features such as a log burner and private courtyard garden at the front and a walled garden with decking at the back.

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