Alderston House is a “B” listed Georgian Mansion House occupying an elevated site within extensive garden grounds and woodland totalling approx. 2.2 Ha (5.4 acres) with superb views over the Tyne Valley and Lammermuir Hills. There are farmed fields to the north and south.
The property comprises a substantial pedimented main house of 3 storeys and sunken basement built around 1790 with ashlar stone front elevation and pitched slate roof. The building has an impressive frontage with a central porch incorporating 2 pairs of Doric columns. There are additional wings to the west and east and a central rear block. An ice house which is also listed is situated at the rear of the house.
The grounds are laid out with lawns to the front and sides with mature trees and shrubs. Access to the property is via a driveway up to the front of the house. There is an additional access serving the rear of the property and a large tarmacadamed car park to the east. Use of the property as a private house ceased in the 1920s. Since 1925, former uses of the property have included a convalescent home for the Scottish Rural Workers’ Society and a Nurses’ Training School and Home. Latterly until September 2010, Alderston was used as offices for a number of Council departments.
Notwithstanding use of the property as offices with some sub-division of larger rooms, much of the Georgian character of the building remains. Features include ornate plaster cornices, marble fireplaces and original doors with brass ironmongery. Internally, the property is generally in good condition but external repairs to the roof, rainwater goods and stonework/render are now required. Radiators and pipe work from the heating system remain throughout the building but the redundant oil fired boiler has been removed. A number of windows have secondary glazed panels.
Location
The historic market town of Haddington is situated just off the Al some 18 miLes East of Edinburgh. Edinburgh city centre and airport are easily reached by car in around 30 and 40 minutes respectvely. The new expressway to Dunbar provides easy access to the South.
The Royal Burgh of Haddington combines a fine architectural and historic heritage with an excellent range of town centre shops including a Tesco supermarket and both cultural and recreational facilities. The town has an 18 hole golf course, a sports centre with swimming pool and is within easy reach of many more of the recreational facilities throughout East Lothian.
The town is also much in demand from those working locally and is a very desirable commuter town of Edinburgh.
Haddington provides good local schooling for all ages.
Accommodation
The gross internal area of the premises extends to approx 1324 sq ms as follows:
Lower Ground 437 sq ms (4,704 sq ft)
Ground 423 sq ms (4,551 sq ft)
First 229 sq ms (2,464 sq ft)
Second 235 sq ms (2,529 sq ft)
Access to Alderston House is via a shared road off the A199 at Haldane Avenue. The subjects of sale are shown edged in red on the site plan and include the roadway shaded in brown. The House, grounds and woodland extend to 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres) or thereby. The section of road shaded blue is adopted highway. The Council will retain servitude rights for access and services over the areas shown hatched on the site plan. There is an existing servitude for services benefitting the Walled Garden property to the west of Alderston House, the route of which is shown on the site plan.
Terms
Alderston is not included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland but it is of sufficient merit to be treated as a designed landscape in line with Historic Scotland’s Guidance on Listed Buildings. There is a tree preservation order in place for Alderston House and Wood.
A Type 2 Asbestos Building Survey has been carried out for the premises. More detailed information concerning the maintenance responsibilities for the roadway and copies of the Asbestos survey and the Tree Preservation Order can be made available to interested parties on request.
The Energy Performance Certificate Rating is G.