The Dowery House, Ford, Pathhead, Midlothian, EH37 5RE

The property

Situation The Dowery House is situated in a magnificent, secluded position above Ford. This is a charming conservation village through which the River Tyne flows. Pathhead, half a mile, has excellent local facilities, health centre, chemist, post office and bakery. It also has a well regarded primary school. The property is only 12 miles from Edinburgh city cente and is therefore extremely commutable and well placed for the city's private schools. The area is well served for recreational pursuits. Vogrie Country Park, with its golf course and beautiful walks, is only a mile away. All the golf courses of East Lothian, including Muirfield, Gullane, Luffness and North Berwick, are within approximately half an hour's drive. Shooting can be arranged on local estates and in the Lammermuir Hills, fishing can be arranged on local reservoirs and the renowned River Tweed. Descriptions The Dowery House is a magnificent ‘B' Listed property. Part of the building is thought to date from the 1600s, although it has evolved with later additions. The panelled interiors date from the early 20th century when it became a dower house for nearby Vogrie House. It has an imposing facade, with castellations and turrets, yet internally the ambiance isthat of a family home. The house has been comprehensively renovated by the currentowners, modernising the accommodation whilst retaining its charm and character.No expense has been spared in upgrading and maintaining the house and grounds, so much-so the Home Report has all 1s. On the ground floor, entrance vestibule with door to the south wing and door to a magnificent panelled reception hall with a cornice bearing thistle, rose and shamrock motifs. The hall gives access to the principal reception rooms. The drawing room is a superb room for entertaining and has an open fireplace with the inscription ‘quid non pro patria' on the mantelpiece. There is a bow fronted wall with a door leading to the patio. Double doors lead through into the butler's pantry and on into the cloakroom. This has a tiled floor and original basin. The sitting room is a charming room with magnificent plasterwork, cornicing and an open fireplace. This then leads through to the spiral staircase, hall, bar and billiard room beyond. The kitchen has an excellent range of fitted wall and floor units, which incorporate a stainless-steel Belfast sink, an island unit with hob, barbecue and a Tepan plate. There are integrated steam and conventional ovens and a plate warmer. In addition to this there is a bank of refrigerators/freezers with two refrigerators, three freezers and a wine cooler. Directly off the kitchen is a pantry which has ample storage space and a free-standing freezer. The dining room is accessed directly from the kitchen as well as the reception hall and has a cupola and double doors leading to the terrace. From the kitchen a corridor leads through to a toilet and the study, which is fitted with Makassar wood drawers and units. The door into the study is also Makassar wood as is the trim around the fitted fish tank. From the reception hall a panelled staircase leads to the first-floor accommodation. The morning room has a stunning plasterwork ceiling, impressive open fireplace and views on two aspects. It can also be accessed form the spiral staircase. There are four first floor bedrooms. These include the master bedroom which has magnificent views out over the grounds and a superb en suite bathroom with large double bath and an excellent range of fitted wardrobes as well as twin basins. There are three further bedrooms on the first floor, two with en suite shower rooms and one with an en suite bathroom. The accommodation on this floor is completed by a separate shower room with eucalyptus steam facility. On the second floor there are two double bedrooms and access to the turret external staircase. These bedrooms are serviced by a shower room. The Dowery House is approached by private road and throughmagnificent wrought iron electric gates. From here the tarmac drivesweeps round into the grounds past the house to the parking area andgarage. The grounds are spectacular and have been landscaped with awealth of shrubs, plants and trees. The drive is lined by heather borders,rhododendrons and other shrubs and trees, including hollies and laurels.The formal garden is situated adjacent to the house where there arerose beds, edged by box hedging, which lead up to a circular patio area.From the front door the eye is trained over an ornamental pond towardsa flight of steps flanked by a topiary box hedge. This leads up to theupper garden, principally laid to lawn, with some mature trees including,cherry, beech and birch and flanked by some beautiful herbaceousborders. There is a large double span greenhouse. Adjacent to thisthere is an enclosed kitchen garden which has fruit bushes and raspberrycanes.