Homes & Gardens
A lack of quality homes causes housing misery
A lack of homes on the property market is causing a headache for Scottish house hunters, according a leading property agent. Figures show that there are half as many properties on the market in Scotland as there were at the beginning of 2017, which proved to be a generally poor year for stock. With the…
Read MoreHistoric castle is in need of full restoration
The abandoned Cavers Castle in Hawick is superb restoration project. Presented to the market by Rettie and Co, this is a historic country house, once at the centre of the Douglas estates in Denholm, of over 100,000 acres. Now it lies in ruins, awaiting sympathetic reinstatement in part or in whole, or remodelling. Cavers Castle…
Read MoreBonnie Prince Charlie’s cottage is now for sale
A historic two bedroom cottage where Bonnie Prince Charlie once stayed is on the market. Known as Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Cottage, this charming property is brought to market by Knight Frank, and is where the Prince held council before the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745. Then a local inn, it is now a beautifully presented…
Read MoreHighland hotel is available for purchase
The chance to purchase a hotel in the Scottish Highlands is now available. The Bridge Hotel, in Bonar Bridge, is an imposing property which has been trading until recently and holds a current premises licence. The hotel, brought to the market by Bell Ingram, is in need of upgrading and modernisation and offers an excellent…
Read MoreA stunning restoration for sale at £1.5million
Tillycorthie Mansion House in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, is now for sale. Presented to the market by Savills, this period mansion house has been fully refurbished and such meticulous attention to detail is rare indeed. Since acquiring the property the current owners have lavished much energy, passion and expense to ensure that Tillycorthie has been reinstated to its…
Read MoreCouple cook up a treat in an old bakery
When professional decorators Katie Webb and her partner Ian Bell bought an old bakery in Edinburgh’s Canonmills, their quirky taste and polished style proved to be the recipe for a beautiful home. The couple, who run Decorum Decor painting and decorating, bought the property and began work converting it into a home in January 2011…
Read MorePamela’s emotional return to her family home
When Pamela McGowan made the decision to move to Edinburgh she had no idea she would be stepping back in time and repurchasing her childhood home in Tranent. After years spent down south, she describes it as fate when, on her last night of a brief visit to the area in 2012, she passed her…
Read MoreThe art and science-inspired daffodil garden
Preservation and daffodils are at the heart of the heritage collection of Backhouse, at Rosfie Arts Garden in Fife. Caroline Thomson is an artist and sculptor who is a direct descendent of the Backhouse family, the renowned Quaker botanist and ethical banking family from Yorkshire, Caroline is filled with the enthusiasm and dedication that drove…
Read MoreBrian’s garden is one for the whole family to enjoy
Tucked away near off Edinburgh’s Ravelston Dykes, Brian Hunter’s garden is a botanical haven designed with family get togethers in mind. Three different seating areas mean that whatever the time of day, there will be a space getting the sun and the most recent addition to the garden is the addition of a summer house…
Read MoreHuge bonfires let us make our perfect garden
When artist Val Leckie and her husband, violin maker Paul Bowers, moved into their flat on Edinburgh’s Eglinton Crescent in 1997 they set about creating their perfect garden. It was completely derelict,’ says Val. ‘We had to have several huge bonfires.’ As the walls of the garden emerged, the couple discovered an extra ten feet…
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