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A fine example is 32 High Street with its own crow-stepped gable and stone stair leading up to the first-floor entrance.

It is a main door upper villa, B-listed as part of the Queensferry Conservation Area, and has spectacular views over Firth of Forth towards the bridges and Fife from most of its rooms.

A large garage shared with one other neighbour is at the side of the property. The gated parking area in front offers an entertaining space, bordered by a wall overlooking the beach – a perfect spot to take in the Loony Dook on New Year’s Day.

Inside, the three-bedroomed flat needs a little refurbishment to update its decor, or perhaps make it more fitting to its original era.

The two bedrooms upstairs already have charming coombed ceilings and deepset windows. Where is it: 12 Belgrave Crescent Lane, West End, Edinburgh.

What is it: Mews conversion with a vestibule, entrance hall, integral garage and utility plus two ensuite bedrooms on the ground floor. The first-floor houses a further ensuite bedroom, an open-plan sitting-dining room with kitchen, a separate pantry and French doors to a balcony which lead to a large terrace.

Good points: It has a feeling of space and light throughout, thanks to high ceilings and the impressive cupola. The outside space is a plus, as is the garage in this part of the city. Immaculate finish throughout.

Bad points: Priced for its citycentre position.

Price: Offers over £635,000.

Contact: Strutt and Parker on 0131-718 4597.

With a sitting room and dining area plus separate kitchen there is a scope for reconfiguration into a living space that is more open-plan, but it already has a shower room and large bathroom, gas central heating, double glazing and good built-in storage, so would make a comfortable home as it is.