Out of the ordinary

Wednesday 11 July 2012

By accident, I recently came across a blog that provides details of UK properties that are genuinely unique for some reason – and makes no charge for highlighting them and providing selling agents' details.

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Beverley Brown

Every house listed on unique propertyblog.co.uk is intriguing, utterly amazing or both. And Scotland is well represented, the following included.

Situated three miles from Dundee, Powrie Castle is both unique and enchanting. Dating from the 16th century and written about by historical novelist Nigel Tranter, it has a drawing room, dining room, tower room/study, three bedrooms and a bathroom. The 'Laird and Lady's Bedroom' has an en-suite shower and access to the tower room/study which could be converted into a dressing room.

Period features include the original circular bread oven, wood and stone barrel-vaulted ceilings, shot holes, arrow slits, a stone circular staircase, leaded windows with lower shutters, studded doors and Renaissance windows. Fully restored in 1977, Powrie Castle is for sale with Savills' Brechin office at offers over £595,000. Until recently trading as the award-winning Chu Chus restaurant, which may give the game away, this beautifully restored B-listed Edwardian railway waiting room and offices on the platform at West Kilbride railway station could make a great home for a train-spotter (subject to change of use). Having lain derelict for several years, it was converted by American-born Stacey Amatt and her father-in-law Tim in 2007 – a major investment and restoration that involved Historic Scotland. The sizeable open-plan interior includes merbou hardwood flooring, original Edwardian quarry tiles, working period fireplaces and chandeliers. There is also an outside terrace, large car park and the property is freehold, priced at £200,000. And in case you are wondering about the noise, given that it is on the main Glasgow-Largs line, I can vouch for the fact that after the first few trains you cease to hear them, having lived next to a station for many years. Another property steeped in history is Tirindrish House, located in the Great Glen near Spean Bridge village in Argyll. Dating back to the 1500s, it was a Clan Donald stronghold for 250 years and it was Donald MacDonell who launched the first attack of the Jacobite rising in 1745 with the battle of High Bridge, where he defeated government troops. There is even a hidden cave in the grounds where clansmen used to hide. The property has magnificent views of Ben Nevis and the Aonach Mor ski area. It also has 16 acres of garden and three additional properties – a modern three-bedroom lodge and two two-bedroom cottages. The accommodation, which has been run as a bed-and-breakfast business and self-catering holiday lets, includes six bedrooms (four en-suite) and seven reception rooms. All this, plus land and three additional properties with income potential in one of Scotland's top tourist areas, makes the £800,000 asking price seem very reasonable. Contact MacArthur Stewart's Fort William office for details. This last one I could not resist. I know Suffolk is not in Scotland but as it is the holiday season and Scots do venture south of the border in search of sunnier climes, I thought it warranted the spotlight. And it is most definitely unique. The astonishing Balancing Barn stands on the edge of a tranquil nature reserve a few miles inland from the Suffolk coast, near the historic towns of Walberswick and Aldeburgh. Clad in silver tiles, the house dramatically cantilevers over the landscape, providing views from huge panoramic windows over woods, ponds and meadows. One of five truly unique holiday rentals commissioned by Living Architecture, an organisation devoted to the experience of modern architecture, the house was designed by the Dutch firm MVRDV which has a world-wide reputation for the ingenuity, playfulness and comfort of its designs. The property sleeps eight people in four en-suite double/twin bedrooms and the interior is a stunning mix of contemporary bespoke furniture and designer accessories. Prices start at £740 for a four-night break – see www.living-architecture.co.uk.

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