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Overview
A tale of two homes, Leuchie Walled Garden blends a 200-year-old gardener’s cottage with an avant-garde mid-century modern house to create an architectural, historical and horticultural treasure.
A destination in itself, set in five acres of historic gardens within the 60-acre Leuchie estate.
It’s not often that the opportunity presents itself to stay in a private home that’s recognised as an architectural gem and boasts a setting in glorious walled gardens within an historic Scottish estate. The celebrated parkland, woodland and walled gardens of the Grade-A listed Leuchie House have been in the Dalrymple family since 1698 and the current owner has opened his childhood home, the avant-garde house snuggled into Leuchie’s extensive walled gardens, to guests.
Built in 1960 by the pioneering Scottish architect Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, Leuchie Walled Garden quite literally straddles three centuries: the strikingly modern mid-century house backs onto the original 19th-century garden wall and incorporates the 200-year-old Gardeners Cottage while family portraits, photographs and antiques depict the Dalrymple’s enduring presence at Leuchie for over 300 years.
Heralded at the time of its design as a triumph of modern architecture, Leuchie Walled Garden is equally relevant today. The sleek lines of the low-lying structure follow those of the original brick walls of the gardens while its walls, formed almost entirely of glass, flood the elegant, timeless interiors with light and garden views.
Freshly refurbished by the Dalrymples, the house comprises six stylish bedrooms and bathrooms, a large kitchen and breakfast room, an inviting dining room and a spacious, fire-warmed drawing room. The last features a baby grand piano and library as well as large sliding doors, which lead out to a patio and the northern half of Leuchie’s celebrated walled garden.
And what a garden… Recently restored by the owner’s wife, it is the epitome of a secret garden: manicured lawns are dotted by ancient yews and flanked by vibrant, voluptuous herbaceous borders while gnarled fruit trees clamber along the walls above them. It’s a magical place in which to enjoy relaxed family games of croquet, to brush up on golf chipping skills (the property is set at the heart of Scotland’s iconic Golf Coast after all) or host corporate entertaining events with an unforgettable backdrop.
Guests staying at Leuchie Walled Garden can also make use of the recently restored tennis court and can forage for goodies in the southern half of the walled garden, which was originally planted to provide the ‘Big Hoos’ with an abundance of fruit and vegetables and remains a working kitchen garden, and roam Leuchie’s 60 acres of magnificent parkland. There are two games rooms that are perfect for friendly competitions of snooker, table tennis or darts.
Keen golfers will doubtless be eager to explore slightly further afield: Leuchie Walled Garden sits at the heart of the world’s largest concentration of Championship links golf courses, Scotland’s Golf Coast. The region surrounding Leuchie boasts no fewer than 21 golf courses, mostly dotted along 30 miles of spectacular coastline, including one of the oldest courses in the world, the historic Musselburgh Links, where Mary Queen of Scots is said to have played in 1567.
Another extraordinary perk of staying at Leuchie Walled Garden is the opportunity to make an exclusive landing on Bass Rock, the bird sanctuary situated in East Lothian’s Firth of Forth described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘one of the 12 wonders of the natural world’. Owned by the Dalrymple family since 1706, the Bass Rock is currently home to the planet’s largest ‘single rock’ colony of northern gannets, who number up to 150,000 during peak breeding season. By no means solely famous for its gannets, Bass Rock has hosted saints, prisoners and kings over the centuries and even appears in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel ‘Catriona’, in which he describes it as “just the one crag of rock, as everybody knows, but great enough to carve a city from.”
Property details
Ground floor
Main access hall.
Cloakroom with hanging space. Separate WC with basin.
Drawing room with two large sofas, armchairs, open fire, library, Bluthner Leipzig baby grand piano (available for guest use), views over the walled garden and door leading out to the garden.
Large open plan kitchen/breakfast room – large central island unit with double sink, Rangemaster oven with two ovens and a separate grill, induction hob (five burner), dishwasher, large fridge with ice box, Cafetiere (no coffee machine or Nespresso).
Dining area with breakfast table seating twelve. High backed armchairs set in front of an open fire. Smart TV with sound bar and a separate Bose sound system. Large sliding glazed door which leads directly onto the patio area and extensive enclosed walled garden.
Separate catering kitchen with gas AGA, single electric oven with ceramic induction hob, dishwasher, washing machine and separate dryer, large American style fridge freezer with ice making machine, microwave.
Boot room/access hall with bench seating, hanging space, ideal for dogs.
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
Formal dining room seating up to twelve. Open fire.
This leads directly into a ground floor bedroom and two upstairs bedrooms. This forms part of the original Gardener’s House.
Bedroom one with 5’2” double bed, side tables, chest of drawers, hanging rail.
En suite wet room with large shower with rainforest head and separate hand-held mixer, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two and three sit on the first floor, above the formal dining room.
Off the main access hall leads into the mid-20th century part of the house.
TV room with large sofa, armchair, beanbags, Smart TV, selection of books and games.
Bedroom four with king size bed, side tables, chaise, chest of drawers, large built-in wardrobe with hanging and storage space.
En suite bathroom with mahogany original bath with hand mixer, vanity unit, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom five with zip and link beds which can be configured to super king or twin beds, side tables, chest of drawers, small dressing table, in-built wardrobe with storage and hanging rail.
Six steps lead to the master bedroom.
Bedroom six - master bedroom – with fixed super king bed, large built-in wardrobe extending along the full wall of the bedroom with plenty of storage and hanging space.
En suite bathroom with large bath, bespoke vanity unit with marble top, basin. Separate WC.
First floor
Bedroom two with twin beds, side table, chest of drawers, hanging rail.
Bedroom three with zip and link beds which can be configured to super king or twin beds, side tables, chest of drawers, in-built cupboard with hanging rail.
Family bathroom shared between bedroom two and three. Shower with rainforest head, separate mixer, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
Outside patio area with garden furniture (please note that there is no barbecue). The walled garden is fully enclosed and guests are welcome to use any of the seasonal produce from the garden during their stay.
There are two games rooms immediately outside the property; one with a snooker table, another with table tennis and a darts board.
There is a tennis court in the adjoining walled garden available for guest use at any time (tennis rackets and tennis balls available). Garden games such as croquet and boules are also provided. The adjoining walled garden also has a chipping green for golf fans.
There is a secure underpass for the storage of bikes, fishing rods and outdoor gear. A ping-pong table, snooker table and darts board are also available for guest use.
There are extensive grounds (five acres) surrounding the property. Guests are welcome to walk and cycle around the wider estate which extends to sixty acres.
The garden can be hired at an additional cost for marquee based wedding receptions and can accommodate large numbers of guests, with the main wedding party staying in the house.
Parking
There is ample private parking to the side and front of the house.
Electric Vehicle Charging
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Babies & Children
A highchair and travel cot are available on request.
Dogs
Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £25 per dog. Additional dogs will be considered on request.
Dogs must be strictly contained to the boot room until clean and dry. Once clean and dry, dogs are permitted into the kitchen/breakfast room area but are not permitted on the furniture or in the bedrooms. An outside tap is available in the garden for cleaning.
Guest amenities
Bed linen and towels are provided. Guest toiletries from REN are provided which includes a small soap, a body wash and cream.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is provided with speeds around 10MB. Mobile coverage is limited inside the property, but improves outside in the garden area.
Heating
Ground source efficient eco-friendly heating system. There are three open fires with logs provided. There is underfloor heating in a number of the bathrooms.
Guest privacy
Leuchie Walled Garden offers complete privacy, however guests should note that the gardener works every morning and will be out-and-about working in the extensive walled garden area during guest stays.
Exclusive Experience – Sunset Bass Rock Birdlife Boat Trips
Exclusive to guests staying at Leuchie Walled Garden, enjoy a spectacular private sunset photography and landing trip on Bass Rock with a glass of fizz in hand. Described by David Attenborough as 'one of the 12 wildlife wonders of the world', it's home to the largest colony of Northern gannets on the planet. Visit our Wildlife Experiences page to find out more.
SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING
Scottish short-term lets licence number: Pending
The current EPC rating for this property is band F, a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Location
Located one mile from the seaside town of North Berwick, the shopping here is small and friendly with plenty of quality independent traders and fresh, local producers. There are two small supermarkets with a good selection of provisions, along with a butchers shop, fishmonger and bakery. There's also a large Tesco approximately a mile away which will do home delivery.
There are plenty of places for eating out with everything from sweet cafes and ice cream parlours mixed with characterful restaurants and bars ranging from the small and intimate dining experience of Osteria; regional dishes and cocktails at The Herringbone; or the distinctly rustic outdoor experience of the Lobster Shack!
Alternatively for a comfy nook and a perfectly roasted espresso head to The Steampunk Coffee House based in an old characterful warehouse in the centre of the town. And did we mention cakes? You can enjoy a scrumptious selection here including a rather heavenly pistachio and white chocolate brownie!
For more elegant dining, head to La Potinière at Gullane (6 miles) for superb food or the Creel Restaurant at Dunbar (13 miles) for delicious seafood and award-winning cuisine. Also in Gullane, Tom Kitchin's restaurant 'The Bonnie Badger' is a fabulous 5 star AA restaurant using locally sourced produce washed down with artisan beers and wines from an impressive selection.
Activities
Leuchie Walled Garden is ideally suited to family holidays, golfing holidays and for corporate entertainment.
The walled garden has a range of games such as croquet and boules and space to practice one’s golf on the adjoining chipping green. Guests also have access to sixty acres of walks through eighteenth century parkland and amenity woodland.
For golf, the area is world-famous for its stunning links courses with North Berwick East & West nearby (2 miles) and Muirfield, Luffness, Gullane all within easy striking distance (5 miles).
The John Muir Country Park covers some of the most spectacular East Lothian coastline, featuring expansive sandy beaches which are a haven for wildlife and birdlife. The area is renowned for its marine wildlife.
Weather permitting, the owner can arrange for exclusive landings on the Bass Rock whose 150,000 gannets David Attenborough described as one of the wonders of the natural world. Also nearby are Craigleith, famous for its seals and puffins, Fidra, Aberlady Nature reserve and the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, where you can take boat trips or enjoy a seabird catamaran cruise.
Favourite beaches include the secluded sands at Seacliffe which regularly features in Britain's best beaches - an enchanting gem with a tiny harbour and wonderful views north towards Tantallon Castle. Yellowcraig is another top spot; the East and West bays at North Berwick; or the dune-fringed sands at Belhaven.
For cycling you can join Sustrans 76 which runs all the way down the coast to Berwick-upon -Tweed or you can enjoy some leisurely cycling circuits along traffic free paths and minor roads, taking time to explore the quaint coastal villages of the area.
Bikes can be hired from in Law Cycles North Berwick or Belhaven Bikes in Dunbar, while fatbiketours.co.uk in North Berwick run lessons and guided treks on specially designed ‘fatbikes’ which are a fantastic way to explore the remote sandy bays and ancient clifftop castles of the area on two wheels.
Take the John Muir Way for walking, a scenic route passing through North Berwick and following the line of the East Lothian coast, or take a hike to North Berwick Law where you will be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views over the town.
For watersports, superb kayaking can be found around the waterways off Dunbar, with thrilling wakeboarding and ringo rides at Foxlake. Surf buffs can enjoy some enjoy some wonderful sport right along the coast and there is a surf school in Dunbar offering lessons in paddleboarding, surfing and coasteering. There are also dive charters from the harbours in North Berwick and Dunbar taking in the stunning nature reserve sites around the Forth, Bass Rock and Isle of May.
Next take a visit to the magnificent city of Edinburgh (26 miles) or 35 minutes by hourly train where you can explore the fascinating architecture of the old town and soak-up the culture and heritage of this beautiful vibrant city. Wander the cobbled closes and narrow stairwells of the Royal Mile and Grassmarket; take a candle-lit tour of the underground vaults of the old city for some fascinating tales of Edinburgh’s darker past; or perhaps partake in a wee dram or a tasting session at the Scotch Whisky Centre where you can learn to nose, swirl and taste like an expert.
Finally a visit to iconic Edinburgh Castle which sits majestically over the city and houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, 15th Century gun Mons Meg, and the National War Museum of Scotland. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the city in July and August, don’t miss the vibrant Fringe Festival, exceptional Jazz and Blues Festival or the Edinburgh Military Tattoo ending with a poignant lone piper lament high on the castle ramparts. Truly spectacular!
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
Find Out MoreServices
Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Reviews
"Our long weekend has felt like a trip into a history book. Leuchie Walled Garden is the most enchanting place we have ever visited. The architecture combined with the walled garden makes it so unique and every corner seems to hold a surprise. Thank you so much! Our kids and us had a magical time!"
Hutchins Family"Well…where to start! Over the years we have been very fortunate to be able to vacation at some wonderful private homes – and I mean truly wonderful! But none of them compare to Leuchie Walled Garden. It is magnificent. The interior has been designed in such a way to balance the highest of quality and opulence with practicalities and comfort; never an easy task, but the owners of Leuchie have managed it. Then, over and above this, there is the history of the family, their home and the surrounding grounds and, when you add this to the library and reading material contained withing Leuchie, you have all of the ingredients needed to while away the hours with a glass in hand concerning yourself with nothing more than the here and now. Relaxing at its finest with a roaring fire to add to the ambience should you need it. But satisfying beyond your wildest imaginations as all of the above is, that isn’t the end of it – you have the pièce de résistance – you have the walled garden itself. And you have acres of it. I don’t believe I have the talent to put into words what the Leuchie Walled Garden does for the soul – I don’t think Shakespeare himself could. It is beautiful. It is stress busting. It is joyous. It is vibrant. It is magical."
Campbell family"This is one of the most amazing places we have stayed. Leuchie Walled Garden is truly unique and somewhere you will want to make an annual holiday destination. The house is incredibly comfortable and everywhere you look there is something beautiful or interesting to see. We visited North Berwick for the day to enjoy delicious fish and chips on the beach before jumping on a boat trip tour round the historic Bass Rock. The situation within the Walled Garden is incomparable and we could not recommend it more."
Reekie partyAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £25 per dog. Additional dogs may be considered on request.
- Typical arrival day: Friday during high season with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"It’s hard to beat a sunset soak in the sunken mahogany bathtub overlooking the gardens, preferably with a glass of bubbly in hand..."Sue, Crabtree & Crabtree
