5 bedroom detached house

Built at the start of the 20th Century, “Clairinch” is a substantial and elegant detached residence, located in the much sought after Upper West side of Helensburgh. Designed by Messrs H&D Barclay at the height of the Arts and Crafts era, the property sits effortlessly amidst simply stunning, mature and extensive garden grounds, with breathtaking south westerly views over the Clyde estuary.

On entering the grounds from West Lennox Drive, a high painted wall with stone detailing provides privacy and screening from the road, with two entrances accessing a gravelled driveway and parking area. To the side of the house there are two separate garages, one of which has a large attic store room/games room which would be ideally suited for use as a studio or home office. The other garage next to it has doors to the front and rear.

Moving around to the gardens at the rear, the first impression of the grounds is the sheer scale, with large expanses of lawn divided by mature coniferous hedging half way down and with a sheltered and private area at the far end. There are many interesting features within the garden, including a sheltered decked terrace surrounded by a low terracotta coloured wall with trellis above, terraced shrub beds and rockeries and a large gravelled patio and sitting area adjacent to the back of the property itself. On the periphery, a selection of mature trees, shrubs and bushes provide complete privacy and screening all round and the gardens afford all day long sunshine.
The exterior of the property features a pleasing combination of red sandstone on the lower floor with freshly painted render above, a rosemary tiled hipped roof and with traditionally styled windows that are a combination of replacement high performance double glazed units and original single glazed units.

As the floorplan shows, the current layout of the house has been formed into two separate self contained apartments, with the vendor living on the lower floor and with a sizeable upper apartment that would be perfect for the extended family. The property still retains one title and it would not be a big undertaking to re-instate the house to one large family home if preferred, with the removal of the upstairs kitchen to re-instate a further bedroom or public room. On entering, it is evident that the owner has considerably modernised, upgraded and redeveloped the property, whilst retaining its original style and elegance. Features include original timber doors and finishes, ornate plasterwork, elegant fireplaces, cornicing and a number of stained glass windows throughout. All of the main rooms both upstairs and downstairs face south west, to take full advantage of the views and all available natural light and an additional feature that comes with the property is a self contained studio flat that has its own open-plan living/bedroom area with refitted kitchenette and ensuite bathroom. From here there is access to its own raised terrace which in turn leads down to the gardens. This studio flat would be perfect for additional family/granny accommodation and it currently brings in additional rental income.

In brief, on the ground floor, on entering from the front, a large vestibule opens into the reception hall that features a staircase to the upper floor flat and also to a well proportioned wc/cloakroom to the front of the house. From the reception hall you walk through to a delightful inner dining hall which has its own recessed bar area. Beyond the dining hall, double doors open into a large conservatory that affords aspects across the back gardens. On either side of the dining hall is a formal bow windowed drawing room with period fireplace, additional window to the side and some magnificent intact decorative cornicing and mouldings. The large double bedroom on the other side of the hall has a box bay window and has access to its own luxurious ensuite bathroom. Also off the hall is a further double bedroom with a bay window to the side of the house. From the dining hall, there is a door through to a passageway that leads to a comfortable sitting room/snug and to the open plan kitchen that features an electric oven and gas hob as well as an Aga stove, extensive refitted units and work surfaces. Windows allow in natural light from the side of the house and at the far end of the kitchen, there is a spiral staircase leading up to a bedroom and modern bathroom.

Moving onto the upstairs apartment/accommodation, the half landing features a magnificent stained glass window formation and on the upper landing further stained glass windows cast a lovely light across the hall. The master bedroom is an elegant double room with two walk-in wardrobes and its own ensuite bathroom, there is a further double bedroom, again with an ensuite shower room and there is also an upstairs laundry/utility room. The lounge is comfortable and well proportioned and takes in fantastic open views and the adjacent dining sized kitchen has been well fitted, with a range style cooker and extensive units. The house is heated by a system of gas fired central heating.
As mentioned, the property is located in one of Helensburgh's most sought after addresses, in the Upper West side of town yet close to the centre itself where a wide selection of shops can be found along with a good number of bars, restaurants, cafés, Helensburgh Central train station with regular services to Glasgow and Edinburgh and other amenities that include sport and recreational facilities and schooling at both primary and secondary level and private education offered at Lomond School which is a short walking distance to the property. Surrounding Helensburgh, some of Scotland's finest scenery is only a short drive away with Loch Lomond close by and the Clyde Estuary providing great sailing. Helensburgh also has a well respected Golf Club along with bowling and tennis clubs. At the front of the large lawned area is the famous West Highland line which services the Caledonian Sleeper to London Euston and in the opposite direction North to Oban. EPC Band - D