Set Forth

Three of a Kind surveys North Berwick

North Berwick regularly features close to the top in lists of the best places to live in Scotland, and fortunate residents of the town are quick to extol its virtues. In a recent survey, 97 per cent of East Lothian respondents felt they were lucky to live there.

But, of course, this desirability comes at a cost. The fact that there is quick and easy commuting to and from Edinburgh means that house prices in North Berwick have always been inextricably linked to the Capital, and houses in the best locations in the town have some of the highest prices in Scotland.

Locals compete to move up the property ladder, but have to contend with prospective commuting buyers from the Capital and those who see North Berwick as the ideal retirement spot with worldclass golf courses on its doorstep.

Added to that is a thriving second-homes market, for those looking for a holiday home for their own use or as a short-term letting opportunity.

Tusculum, 3c Links Road, is a property which overlooks most of the town and would be ideal as a home, a second property or perhaps as a holiday let.

The five-bedroomed top-floor period apartment has stunning views over the beach and the Forth to Fife, with a spectacular golf course in the foreground and Berwick Law to the east.

The flat has a private and enclosed garden and double garage and is in walking distance of the train station.

It has an interesting layout accessed by a lift or the house’s communal staircase.

The main living and dining room is double-aspect with a large picture window to maximise the sea views.

There is a good sized breakfasting kitchen, and both the master and second bedroom have fireplaces.

A spiral staircase leads to the third, mezzanine, bedroom and the fourth is a double with shower, while the hallway leads to a fifth bedroom with its own shower room.

Upstairs is a unique tower room which provides the best of the views. While it isn’t huge, planning permission has been granted to extend both this and a store room below so there is potential to add space and value.

The charming private and enclosed garden is something of a suntrap and has a lawn, patio, shed and mature planting.

Little Fenton is a few miles outside North Berwick, but the property has a wealth of space, privacy and amenities to make it a very desirable lifestyle purchase.

The five-bedroomed contemporary house sits in six acres of private grounds at Fenton Barns with stables and kennels.

It makes the most of its far-reaching coastal views with a large conservatory, and when the weather is too cold for the beach, the house has a large indoor pool extension with its own panoramic views.

But not all property in and around North Berwick is at the top of the price range.

A quaint studio apartment is tucked down a quiet road at 7a Abbey Mews in the heart of the town.

The accommodation is certainly modest, with an open-plan bedroom and sitting room, and a small kitchen plus shower room but for a second home by the sea, it would be the ideal bolt hole for a single person or a cosy couple.

When the weather is too cold for the beach the house has a large indoor pool extension, with its own panoramic views