The period between the mid-19th century and early 20th century produced many of Scotland's finest 'Grand Designs' of the time by such eminent architects as Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, William Leiper and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Alexander Thomson designed churches and commercial masterpieces (such as the Templeton factory on Glasgow Green) as well as distinctive Greek Revival terraces and villas, the most notable being Holmwood House in Cathcart, which cost mill owner James Couper £2608 to build in 1858.

Another Thomson masterpiece is A-listed Castlehill in the leafy suburb of West Pollokshields. He is also responsible for several other houses in the area on a somewhat lesser scale.

One of the last villas completed before his death in 1875, Castlehill is currently for sale with Savills' Glasgow office at offers over £950,000 – and the choice of agent in this case highlights a curious coincidence, as local director Peter Gillespie last saw the inside of this stunning property in 1971 when he was a pupil in what was then St Ronans Preparatory School.

"Memories came flooding back," said Gillespie. "In its day, St Ronans was an influential but very hard school that employed liberal use of the belt.

"It was an intense and often scary place but even as a child I recall thinking what a beautiful building it was, and the playground at the back – now a sizeable garden – still has the same wonderful views of the city. The head teacher's room, where the belt used to be employed, is now a study."

Castlehill was sold in the early 1990s and reverted back to residential status. The present owner has spared no expense in taking it to a different level as an architectural masterpiece and a comfortable family home.

The accommodation includes three reception rooms, games room, conservatory, kitchen, four double bedrooms (three en-suite) and a guest wing comprising a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The house, which has Thomson's hallmark shallow-pitched and broad-eaved gabled roof and polished ashlar stonework, has been carefully refurbished and incorporates original features alongside 21st-century additions such as luxury kitchen, bathroom fittings and a hard wood conservatory. If Thomson were to come back tomorrow, he would not be disappointed.

Situated on the Ayrshire/Renfrewshire border near Lochwinnoch, Ladyland is an A-listed mansion house designed and built by David Hamilton, the Scottish architect whose works include Glasgow's Hutchesons' Hall and the Royal Exchange in Queen Street, now the Gallery of Modern Art.

With accommodation over four levels, this house has a pillared entrance, magnificent hall and staircase to an ornate cupola, library, large contemporary kitchen, conservatory, family room and sitting room in addition to a magnificent 38ft drawing/dining room, and at least eight bedrooms.

With grounds extending to around 11 acres, Ladyland is yet another example of Scotland's rich architectural heritage. It's on the market with Rettie & Co Glasgow at offers over £1.2 million.

"Some people are motivated and excited by the architect factor, which undoubtedly adds prestige," said Rettie associate director Geoff Lockett, "but as a general rule, the house and location come first. That said, these architects usually built in the best locations anyway."

Other gems include a two-bedroom apartment in converted Auchenbothie House, a baronial mansion in Kilmacolm designed in the 1890s by Glasgow-born William Leiper.

Being marketed by Slater Hogg & Howison's Bridge of Weir office at offers over £220,000, the apartment has a drawing room and open-plan dining room within one of the building's turrets, breakfasting kitchen with integrated appliances, bathroom and en-suite shower room to the main bedroom. There is also a garage and the apartment has panoramic views over the countryside.