Cottage in a league of its own
BALANCING the romantic notion of a ‘roses round the door’ country cottage with the need to be in town for work is no easy task. But look at Heatherlie, a charming Victorian property tucked well away from the buzz of the capital, far back from Ferry Road, in the tranquil Trinity conservation area.
This area of Edinburgh is hugely sought after, especially by families, who value being close to the heart of the capital, yet with that little bit more space.
The thriving ‘village of Stockbridge is close by, as are the beaches at Portobello.
Not that it’s cheap but you do get slightly more for your money than you would in the city centre.
And while there are plenty of houses with gardens, Heatherlie, with its distinctive red pantile roof, is in a league of its own.
It oozes kerb appeal, inviting you in through a wrought iron gate and up the path to a front door behind a quaint latticed porch.
This is where the cottage suddenly becomes rather grand. From the outside you might imagine a warren of small rooms – but not a bit of it.
On either side of the hallway, with its original oak parquet flooring, are two exceptional reception rooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, open fireplaces, high ceilings and decorative features such as panelling and cornices.
The drawing room has a small snug leading off it, while the dining room has a wee adjoining study. Such is their scale, these lovely spaces are more reminiscent of New Town apartments.
And while these rooms, which overlook the front garden, are perfect formal rooms, there is a surprising amount of everyday space at the back of this deceptively large home. At the rear of the house is a good-sized family room, a well-fitted contemporary breakfasting kitchen, a utility room, boot room and bathroom.
On the first floor are four bedrooms and a shower room. The house has a private and secure garden at the back.
Finding a house with so many plus points so close to the centre of the capital makes it a hugely attractive proposition.
Offers over £695,000 to Rettie.