North Berwick builds on its amazing appeal

Popularity of East Lothian town prompts new properties, writes Kirsty Mcluckie

North Berwick regularly comes close to the top in lists of the best places to live in Scotland, and in a recent survey an astonishing 97 per cent of the East Lothian town’s residents responded that they felt lucky to live there.

However, all 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 have some of the highest prices in Scotland.

Locals contend with one another to move up the town’s property ladder, but also have to compete with commuters and those who see North Berwick as the ideal retirement spot.

New developments are springing up around the town to meet demand, and buying a brand-new house does have the advantage of working with a fixed price, getting to choose a house style and accessing the incentives which developers can offer.

Dandara’s new community in North Berwick offers a range of homes to suit many stages in life.

Barley Brae features two, three, four and five-bedroomed homes suitable for first-time homeowners, growing families and those looking to downsize.

A Laurel showhome is open for viewing there seven days a week. The four-bedroomed detached house has a spacious living area at the front with double doors leading to an open-plan dining-kitchen room at the rear.

The ground floor also has a study at the front of the unit – ideal for homeworkers or homework.

Upstairs, the property has three generous double bedrooms and a single bedroom. The master comes with an ensuite bathroom and fitted wardrobes.

Coming soon to Barley Brae, and well suited to downsizers, the Lime is a twobedroomed detached bungalow.

This energy-efficient, lowmaintenance unit features an openplan lounge-dining-kitchen area, with bi-fold doors from the dining space out to the garden.

The master bedroom has its own ensuite shower room and there is also a full Jack and Jill-style family bathroom, which adjoins the second bedroom.

Barley Brae would be ideal for commuters with the A1 just a few miles away and the handily-located train station running a regular service into the heart of Edinburgh.

North Berwick town centre, including the local playgroup, nursery, and primary and high schools, are all within a mile of the development.

Peter Best, director of sales at Dandara in Scotland, says: “We pride ourselves on building quality homes and creating communities which suit all lifestyles. [We] are thrilled to be introducing our very first development in the Lothians.

“Barley Brae offers the lifestyle benefits of coastal living just a short distance from the hub of Edinburgh.

“We offer a range of spacious homes which are ideal for family living and the community is just a mile from the town’s picturesque harbour and golf clubs.”

Every Dandara property provides high levels of insulation and solar panels offer additional renewable energy.

Energy-efficient kitchen appliances and water-saving devices also help homeowners save money and also the environment.

Four and five-bedroomed houses are available at the development, priced from £499,950.