THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 13
Burnbrae ticks all the boxes for a family home in Selkirk
Margaret McCreadie and her husband David have lived in Burnbrae, their detached home in Selkirk for 30 years, yet Margaret can still recall what it was that drew her to the house initially. “It was partly the location, which is very quiet and near a farm, so there are lots of trees and wildlife and very little traffic – and partly the kitchen, which had – and still has - a warm and friendly feeling in addition to having great storage space,” she says. “The large cellar was an unexpected bonus and it provides valuable extra space as a combined workshop/ laundry room.” Built around 112 years ago the blonde sandstone one-and-a-half storey house has a perfectly symmetrical facade, with an attractive front porch and row of dormer windows. Inside, the spacious and well-presented layout comprises a large living room with windows to the front and rear, well-equipped dining kitchen with double doors into a utility, which in turn gives access to a staircase leading to the cellar. Upstairs are three bedrooms and a large bathroom with a four-piece suite and separate shower enclosure.
Margaret and David have carefully maintained and improved the property – most recently the bathroom has been re-fitted, a new combi boiler was installed last year, and the main bedroom now has a full wall of built-in wardrobes. The McCreadies, who are now hoping to downsize, have also put a great deal of time and effort into the garden, which is a major feature on its own. Fully enclosed, it incorporates areas of lawn, trees, shrubs and planted borders, plus there is a single detached garage, greenhouse, and a particularly pretty summerhouse, an ideal place for sitting or dining out. “The front of the house gets the sun in the morning but it moves round to the back garden in the early afternoon and remains there until sunset,” Margaret adds.
Burnbrae 97 Bleachfield Road, Selkirk
In move in condition throughout, this comfortable and spacious family home combines traditional features and modern amenities - as in the living room, which has picture and dado rails, wood-panelled window surrounds, natural wood finishes and a stone fireplace, the latter fitted with a user-friendly inset Living Flame gas fire.
A door in the utility reveals the staircase that leads down to the cellar, a useful additional space that would suit a variety of uses – currently it is a second utility/workshop/storage area that houses a large ceramic sink and laundry appliances amongst other things. There is also a toilet and a door to the garden.
The kitchen is fitted with solid pine floor and base units that tie in with the original varnished floor and pine-lined shelved recess and window surrounds.
The two front-facing bedrooms both have a three-section dormer window, which from the inside translates as traditional combed ceilings and a useful recess space.
It also has an integrated double oven, gas hob and overhead extractor and more than enough space for a large family-sized dining table and chairs. The adjoining utility is similarly well fitted with units and built-in cupboards, which still leaves space for freestanding appliances, such as a dishwasher and fridge freezer.
Guide Price £185,000 Details on page 39
The third bedroom is an L-shaped room with a large window overlooking the rear garden. The gardens are a delight and attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, and while the setting has a distinctly rural feel, it is within walking distance (10-15 minutes) of Selkirk’s town centre amenities. The house is also well placed for commuting to Edinburgh via the city by-pass.