Suburb that has a wealth of attractions
IT must trigger a frisson of satisfaction when you learn the place you call home is considered one of the top ten neighbourhoods in Britain. East Dunbartonshire may be one of Scotland’s smallest regions, but it has been ranked along with Mole Valley in Surrey as one of the best places in the country to live.
The UK Prosperity Index considers factors such as wealth, health, crime statistics, education and the natural environment before drawing up its table of flourishing communities.
Milngavie lies at the heart of this fabulous area, a delightful dormitory for the professional classes who mainly work in Glasgow (which came 376 places lower than its well-heeled neighbour).
Derek Robertson is fairly typical of the local population, a successful solicitor who has brought up a family in the 26 years he has lived in Milngavie.
‘It’s really got everything,’ said Mr Robertson. ‘An M&S, a Waitrose and a Tesco. The schools are great, there are sports facilities aplenty and the public transport network is second to none.
‘We’ve even got the singer Amy Macdonald living in the area. You see her whizzing by in her Ferrari from time to time.’
The Victorian villa Mr Robertson is selling on Strathblane Road is within walking distance of the shops and the train station, which serves both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Glencarron has five bedrooms, three public rooms and three bathrooms, providing 2,200 square feet of accommodation over two floors.
There’s a sitting room and a more formal lounge, with access to a conservatory. The spacious gardens have an outstanding weeping willow on the front lawn.
Worthy of special mention is the coach house at the back, at present used as a garage, but which could be a granny flat or home office.
Planners these days tend to be pretty relaxed about such conversions, though this one could benefit from the addition of a second floor, which would certainly need planning permission.
Milngavie has always had a reputation for being – and there’s no easy way to say this – a bit posh.
But Mr Robertson won’t have any of it, saying: ‘I like to think of it as a home for workers. You get people from all walks of life here.
‘It’s not for those who want the “high life” you’ll find in Glasgow’s West End. In fact, it tends to be couples who have lived in the West End who migrate here once they have decided to settle down and have a family.
‘Yes, there are a lot of doctors and lawyers, but if you go down the Talbot Arms on a Friday night, you will find a street sweeper and a stockbroker arguing about the quickest way to Firhill.’
Partick Thistle supporters? And just when you thought the place was perfect, too.
Offers over £650,000 to Siobhan Cox of Rettie, Bearsden. Tel 0141 943 3150 or email Bearsden@rettie.co.uk