Candleford House, Auchtertool, Kirkcaldy, Fife

Candleford House is a fine double-fronted detached period property offering a private, peaceful position in a fine rural setting. The historic home originally served as the manse for Auchtertool Parish Church.

It was designed and built by the famous Scottish Architect James Gillespie Graham in 1812, with input from the Countess of Moray, and extended to the rear by Williamson & Inglis in 1900.

It has seen a comprehensive scheme of sensitive and detailed refurbishments in recent years, combined seamlessly with its wealth of charming retained features, including Gothic Revival design elements and architecture, semi-ecclesiastical windows, window shutters, beautiful stonework, decorative chimneys, ornate cornice and mouldings and feature fireplaces. “All showing how opulent the life of 19th Century rural clergy could be”.

The house has historical interest as it is evidenced author, essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle was a frequent visitor of Rev Welsh, minister at Auchterool from 1842 to 1879. Carlyle married Jane Welsh the Reverends cousin.

The tasteful entrance hall introduces the rich herringbone flooring that runs throughout much of the home and features a dog-leg staircase with timber balusters. The elegant ground-floor living spaces include a substantial drawing room and a separate sitting/dining room, both with unique feature fireplaces.

Further is a sociable open-plan kitchen/family room with a wide selection of attractive wall and base cabinetry, worksurfaces and integrated appliances, a butler sink and a recently replaced AGA range. The room is complemented by a charming decorative cast iron range. Completing the floor are useful utility rooms, boot room, a dedicated larder and a family bathroom.

The first-floor landing enjoys ample natural light via its grand double arched windows overlooking the garden. The wide landing branches off onto five pleasing bedrooms with fine preserved features, along with a cloakroom and a deluxe family bathroom, complete with a rolltop bathtub and three pieces of painted Victorian-style sanitaryware.

The 22 ft. principal bedroom with its walk-in bay opens to a luxurious en suite bathroom with a copper freestanding bathtub and separate Acomo multi-jet steam shower. The second floor, former servants quarters, holds a further four versatile rooms albeit with the ceiling height constrained, with excellent potential for a range of varied uses.

The property is accessed via electric security gates leading to a tree-lined gravelled driveway, giving access to the various spacious outbuildings, which include a timber summerhouse with a stone/slab deck, 2 double garages and a large machinery shed.

Nestled among glorious countryside, and with impressive views over the valley of the Forth towards the Bass Rock and Berwick Law, the generous plot is also surrounded by an array of lush mature trees and enjoys expansive manicured and lush green lawns, easily maintained.

The formal garden to the front of the property has an automatic mower system There is also a grass croquet lawn which could also lend itself to a tennis court, along with a range of established planting schemes.

The property is situated on the fringes of the small village of Auchtertool, just five miles from the coast, with a wide range of everyday amenities available at the nearby towns of Cowdenbeath, Kirkcaldy and the historic city of Dunfermline.

Dunfermline is approximately five miles from the Forth Road bridges, ideal for commuters. The A92 and M90 provide links to Edinburgh, Dundee and Perth and across the Kincardine Bridge to Stirling, Glasgow and the West.

The city has an extensive array of shopping, social, educational and leisure facilities, along with esteemed educational establishments. Train stations at both Kirkaldy and Dunfermline provide regular services to Edinburgh and beyond.

Local Authority: Fife Council
Services: Mains electricity. Two private water supplies and drainage. Oil-fired central heating. We understand that the private drainage at this property may not comply with the relevant regulations. Further information is being sought. Ultra fast broadband installed.
Council Tax: Band G
Tenure: Freehold
Fixtures & Fittings: All open to negotiation.
Wayleaves and easements: The property is sold subject to any wayleaves or easements, whether mentioned in these particulars or not.

All quotations from ‘Kirk & Parish of Auchtertool’ (1908) and ‘Villages of Fife’ (2002)