Tee up luxury living
Fairway and rural views standard at striking villa in suburbs
TODAY is the first day of spring and, admiring the view from their large windows, the owners of this fine mansion should soon start to see signs of new life emerging. The detached villa overlooks the Whitecraigs Golf Club and acre upon acre of rolling countryside in the popular suburban enclave of Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.
The course boasts mature trees and colourful rhododendron bushes and, after one of the wettest and windiest starts to a year ever, should soon start to sprout golfers.
The Edwardian house on Lethington Road dates from around the time the golf club was being established, in 1905. It was all happening then – nearby Rouken Glen Park was a gift to the people of Glasgow only a year later.
East Renfrewshire is well known for its open spaces, which make it one of the most attractive places to live in the West of Scotland.
The blonde sandstone villa was designed with quite an imposing frontage, with turrets on the roof and a comparatively lofty position in the landscape, almost reminiscent of a miniature castle.
It is pretty palatial on the inside, too. The ground floor accommodation begins with the impressive reception hall, notable for its timber staircase with glass balustrade leading up to the first floor.
A magnificent drawing room boasts an open fireplace, plus dual aspect bay and porthole windows.
There is a decent-sized dining room, also with bay window, and no one will be disappointed by the quality of the kitchen – it boasts marble worktops, top appliances and a range cooker.
There is a nice colonial touch to the galley-style en suite bathroom in the master suite upstairs. Deep, dark wood has been chosen for the cabinet work and bath surround, topped off by marvellous plantation-style wooden shutters set into the windows.
It is from this bedroom that you are likely to appreciate some of the best views. The property looks west towards the Gleniffer Braes in Paisley but look north and you can see all the way over Glasgow to the Campsie Fells.
Neighbouring houses have been developed at the back to make best use of this perspective, with wonderful wide balconies and patios.
There are four additional double bedrooms and a family bathroom on the upper floor along with a sitting room, with fireplace and French doors which lead out to a raised terrace.
The million-plus price tag means Lethington Road is in what Savills describes as Scotland’s ‘super prime’ market. Figures from the estate agent show that 287 properties north of the Border sold for seven figures or more last year – just three short of the all-time high in 2007.
Selling agent Peter Walker, of Savills, said: ‘Whitecraigs is a very affluent area on the southern edge of Glasgow. Families are attracted by high-performing local schools and the accessibility to Glasgow city centre.
‘Whitecraigs Railway Station is a two-minute walk away down the Ayr Road, which also offers road and bus links into town.
‘Lethington Road is not the biggest property in the area but I’d suggest it represents a victory of quality over quantity.
‘The level of finish in the house is unbelievable, reflecting the fact that the current owners have spent a lot of money raising it to this standard.’
Mr Walker added: ‘The views are pretty special, too.’