KEYS TO KNOW
Period manse in Kirkliston is an architectural gem with modern comforts, says Kirsty Mcluckie
Kirkliston House is a B-listed, stone-built manse which is a fine example of its era. It is a remarkable house, set in a conservation area and in beautiful peaceful grounds with far reaching views towards the Pentland Hills, yet it is easily commutable to Edinburgh.
Michelle Lessers moved here with a young family 21 years ago and says: “We were moving out of a top-floor flat in Edinburgh to get some outside space for the children and so this place was ideal, with the tennis court and the gardens.
“We had been looking in East Lothian, but what swung it for us was the fact that there was a bus to Edinburgh from just outside every 15 minutes.
“The children could get themselves to school, but as they have become older it has given them a huge amount of independence too.”
The outside space has been everything she hoped it would be. The family refurbished the tennis court, replacing the fencing surrounding it shortly after moving in.
Michelle says the three youngest members of the family spent every waking hour out playing on it in the summer.
The former manse had first been put on the market by the church the year before they bought it, but was purchased by a developer, who did some of the basic refurbishment before putting it back on the market.
Michelle says: “He had done a very good job of bringing up to a good standard inside.
“One of the things he had done however, was remove all the ivy which covered the outside of the house, so we started from scratch and planted climbing plants to soften the outside walls.
“We get colour all year round and I’ve even managed to grow a climbing hydrangea on the north-facing wall.”
There are some beautiful trees in the garden, some of which date from the same time as the house.
The flower borders are well established and apart from mowing, Michelle says the outside space just ticks along by itself – but still manages to look stunning.
One task that the developer hadn’t tackled was the roof, but last year the family commissioned a complete overhaul.
She says: “The project took a long time, scaffolding was up for eight months. The original tiles were taken off, we fitted a breathable membrane underneath and then replaced the tiles, refurbished the chimneys and redid the leadwork.
“The old roof had lasted 170 years and it was in pretty good condition but we wanted to make sure that it would last, perhaps for another 170 years.
“It is an immaculate job and a huge undertaking, but I’m proud of the fact that we kept the original slates so retained the character.”
Kirkliston House has original features in every corner, from its arched gothic entrance to the beautiful fireplaces, mosaic floor tiles, working shutters and timber floors.
In the bathroom is a beautiful porthole window while in the attic there are stained glass windows. The tennis court has an original roller which is still in working order. One feature that is unusual, but has proved useful over the years is the attic. The rooms, which have steeply sloping ceilings, run the length of the house.
Michelle says: “They have been so useful over the years. One of my sons was at Cambridge and used to come up with the Footlights for the Fringe, so I happen to know that the attic sleeps 11, all in a row, from one end to the other.”
Her younger son, when at St Andrews, once turned up with a group of fellow students who had been stranded at Edinburgh airport for Christmas.
Michelle says: “We had the most fantastic Christmas party with them, but it just shows how many the house can accommodate when required. You can pack people in and have a lovely old fashioned country house party.”
The family always planned to stay in the house forever but circumstances change and, due to an unexpected illness, their focus will now shift to the south of England.
It is easy to imagine the elegant life Kirkliston House would have afforded its lucky Victorian minister. That is just as true of the house today but it now has added modern comforts. Kirkliston House, 11 Newliston Road, Kirkliston, West Lothian. B-listed manse dating from 1850, with private location, mature gardens, double garage and a tennis court. Drawing room, sitting room, dining room and breakfasting kitchen with pantry.