Property description

On the Open Market for only the third time in over 150 years, The Ley is a charming country house in a secluded woodland setting within easy reach of Edinburgh city centre. Reputed to be built in the 1860's, this is a well located property of character with an in-built slice of history and a lovely, peaceful rural setting within it's own wooded grounds of c.30 acres. With 6 ensuite Bedrooms (including separate maid's quarters to the rear of the house) plus Study/Bedroom, 3 formal public rooms and a 2 bed wooden lodge cabin in the beautiful grounds, The Ley is a substantial property which has in years past achieved a Scottish Tourism Board five star guest house rating and was a previous winner of the Scottish Thistle Tourism Award.The recorded history of the estate dates back to the Middle Ages. Gifted in 1241 by Alexander King of Scots to the Monks of Newbattle Abbey where Queen Mary (de Couci) was buried. Since the reformation the last family in Ley Tower - the ruins of which are now on the site of the neighbouring farm buildings - was reputedly the 4th Earl of Hyndford 1750. The present house was built in 1861, extended in 1952 with the rebuild of the circular Drawing Room with mirroring Master Suite above. In the ownership of only 4 families since the date of build, the property has a fascinating history and local folklore purporting Al Capone's car to be buried beneath the lawn! The property is approached by a picturesque drive through stunning countryside and the beautiful grounds which results in a gravel sweep in front of the house. The property has generously proportioned accommodation retaining many charming period features with upgrading over the years to include modern touches such as Ensuites to all Bedrooms, a spacious integral double Garage with electric doors and an internal lift (not currently maintained for people usage). Particular features of the house include solid oak floors and well proportioned, light rooms with moulded ceiling cornices and 'Adam' fireplaces. With a Dining Room which can comfortably accommodate 25 and a Sitting Room with double doors through to the circular Drawing Room The Ley has played host to many sociable gatherings with even the odd ceilidh taking place in the Drawing Room.Outbuildings: neat little tool shed / office. Timber sheds / bike store / wood shed. Car port.Lodge Cabin: Living Room / Kitchen; 2 double Bedrooms; Bathroom; Porch.Gardens and Grounds:In front of the house, steps lead down to well maintained terraced lawns bounded by a number of rhododendron bushes. In early spring, the grounds are a mass of snowdrops which are succeeded by a colourful array of daffodils.To the east of the house there is a very pretty stream with man-made cascades, beyond which there is a herbaceous border and what was previously a large kitchen garden bounded by a well maintained stone wall.To the west of the house is an attractive raised stone terrace with fountain and adjacent azalea bed.The grounds are exclusively planted with trees which provide amenity as well as privacy and shelter. The principal species are Beech, Sycamore, Birch, Spruce, Scots Pine, Larch and Douglas Fir. The woods are bisected by the tracks and at the northern corner there is an old dam at the head of the stream which flows through the grounds into the Leithen Water.Centrally in the wooded area there is ground which, with some further clearance, could provide grazing as a pony paddock.

GROUND FLOOR :-

Entrance Vestibule

Hallway

Sitting Room - 15' 9'' x 15' 9'' (4.80m x 4.80m)

Drawing Room - 32' 2'' x 21' 0'' (9.80m x 6.40m)
at widest & longest.

Dining Room - 15' 9'' x 25' 7'' (4.80m x 7.80m)
at widest & longest.

Kitchen - 15' 3'' x 13' 7'' (4.65m x 4.15m)

Conservatory - 10' 5'' x 20' 4'' (3.17m x 6.20m)
at widest & longest.

Butlers Pantry - 15' 5'' x 10' 2'' (4.70m x 3.10m)

2 Cloakrooms
His & Hers.

Rear Hallway :-

Maids Bedroom - 9' 10'' x 9' 10'' (3.00m x 3.00m)

Maids En-suite Shower Room - 6' 11'' x 7' 1'' (2.10m x 2.15m)

Boiler Room - 8' 2'' x 9' 0'' (2.50m x 2.75m)

Tool Room/Workshop - 13' 1'' x 12' 10'' (4.00m x 3.90m)

Integral Double Garage - 20' 10'' x 20' 2'' (6.35m x 6.15m)
at widest & longest.

Lift

UPPER FLOOR :-

Master Bedroom - 21' 0'' x 22' 8'' (6.40m x 6.90m)
at widest & longest.

Bedroom - 21' 2'' x 14' 1'' (6.45m x 4.30m)

Bedroom - 14' 1'' x 15' 9'' (4.30m x 4.80m)

Bedroom - 12' 2'' x 13' 1'' (3.70m x 4.00m)

Bedroom/Study - 11' 2'' x 10' 11'' (3.40m x 3.33m)

Bedroom - 11' 6'' x 8' 6'' (3.50m x 2.60m)

Laundry Room - 13' 9'' x 8' 2'' (4.20m x 2.50m)

LODGE CABIN :-

Lounge

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Porch

Circa 30 Acres of Woodland & Gardens

Property Features :

• CHARMING COUNTRY HOUSE IN SECLUDED WOODLAND SETTING.
• PROPERTY OF CHARACTER WITH IN-BUILT SLICE OF HISTORY.
• PEACEFUL RURAL SETTING WITHIN OWN WOODED GROUNDS OF C. 30 ACRES.
• 7 BEDROOMS - 6 EN-SUITE , 3 FORMAL PUBLIC ROOMS.
• RETAINS MANY CHARMING PERIOD FEATURES.