Dunfermline delight

A Dunfermline new-build is the perfect place to host guests – or boomerang kids – finds Kirsty Mcluckie

Turaideach, which is Gaelic for a great turreted building, is a beautiful contemporary home, completed in 2015.

It lies in the centre of Dunfermline but is tucked away along a small lane, providing a peaceful and tranquil setting.

It was built by owners Andy and Susan Mcfarlane after they had been house hunting in the area for some time.

Andy recalls: “I had my eye on the plot for about three months, but couldn’t persuade Susan to have a look at it. Eventually, after we had seen yet another unsuitable house, she relented and the moment she stood on the plot she was sold on the space available to build a really good-sized house.”

When the Mcfarlanes bought the land there was already a design for a house in place, but they adapted the original blueprint so much that it had to go back for planning approval.

The design is contemporary but the stone turret is a nod to the material used in the surrounding sandstone Victorian homes, as are the sash and case windows, the traditional guttering and the slate roof.

Andy says: “The rest of the house has clean lines to let the turret stand out as the main feature and the stone used on it is curved, as are the sandstone sills, the windows and the frames, which complicated the build somewhat but we felt it was worth it.”

Andy project managed the build. He observes: “For a new-build, it is high ceilinged with oversized doors on the ground and first floors.”

Energy efficiency was another important design feature, Turaideach boasts an EPC A rating with a combination of a superinsulated, air-tight building, coupled with a ground-source heat pump, an MV heat recovery system and a 4kw PV system.

There is underfloor heating on all floors, LED lighting throughout, a six-zone audio system, CAT 6 cabling and windows and doors by Mozolowski and Murray.

The house is large for just a couple, and has the added benefit of a one-bedroomed flat over the detached garage, but each of the Mcfarlane’s four children have moved back in, with their respective partners, at various times since it was built.

Andy explains: “Turaideach has that ability to expand and contract to accommodate anyone needing a [temporary] home.”

On the ground floor, a grand hall leads onto three spacious reception rooms. The 28-foot drawing room is triple aspect and has bi-fold doors opening onto a decking area. Tucked around the back of the house in a private spot is a further sunny terrace.

Turaideach’s drawing room leads to a formal dining room and the sitting room is partially separated from the kitchen by an exposed stone wall and features a contemporary wood-burning stove. All of these rooms connect to make a fantastic entertaining space.

The kitchen is fitted with bespoke cream and sage units with granite worktops, a large island unit and breakfast bar.

The staircase is housed inside the turret and is flooded with light from fullheight windows. A striking feature of the landing is the curved walls, designed to complement the curvature of the turret.

The master bedroom has a Juliet balcony, a large dressing room and an