EVERY once in a while along comes a property opportunity that stops you in your tracks – like the chance to create a contemporary five bedroomed villa in an elevated, mature garden setting complete with private boat house, swimming pool and dock on the River Clyde, within the commuter town of Bothwell in South Lanarkshire.

The asking price, offers over £410,000, is for the plot and plans, drawn up by architect Sheenagh Gray of Framed Estates, an international chartered architectural and property development firm based in Paisley. “There is currently a house on the site and the plans are to extend and adapt this property into something exceptional,” comments Steven Lucas, sales director at Vanilla Square in Glasgow, which is handling the sale.

A full 360-degree tour for viewing with virtual reality goggles will be available shortly to showcase this concept property on Blairston Avenue, a location that is close to Bothwell’s renowned boutique shops, eateries, schools and other amenities. This area is also served well by rail links and fast access to the M74, M73 and M8 motorways.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bank of mum and dad

LLOYDS Bank has launched a new family support mortgage as part of its pledge to help first time buyers. The Lend a Hand mortgage is priced at 2.99 per cent fixed for three years, at 100 per cent loan-to-value – but it still requires a 10 per cent deposit, which crucially, will be invested for three years and will earn a fixed rate of 2.50 per cent. For parents who want to help their children buy their first home, this new scheme means the 10 per cent deposit can be returned to parents – plus savings interest – after three years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happily ever after

ORKNEY has been named the UK’s best place to live according to the 2019 Bank of Scotland Quality of Life survey, based on the archipelago’s high employment levels, low crime rate, strong exam results, smaller primary class sizes and good health and happiness scores.

In addition, Orkney is one of the most affordable places to live with an average house price of £173,349 – 5.2 times the average annual pre-tax local income, compared to the national average of 7.3. In the Scottish table, Shetland takes second place, followed by the Western Isles, Argyll & Bute and Dumfries & Galloway.