The ‘Heights’ of style

In October 2006 the Bank of Scotland announced that for the first time in ten years Edinburgh had been knocked off the top spot as Scotland’s most expensive place to live in Scotland, by what for many was a surprise location, Dalkeith.

Investigating a little deeper and it becomes obvious that the reason for this surprise position was in fact Dalkeith Heights a new area on the northern fringes of Dalkeith that has neatly combined rural living with easy city access.

Intrigued by the emergence of Dalkeith as a property hotspot, we took a visit out to Dalkeith Heights, some 10 miles from the Edinburgh’s city centre to see what it has in store for potential home buyers and to check out not one, but four very different showhomes.

Dalkeith Heights is being created by four developers; Charles Church, Grange Estates, Persimmon Homes and Bellway Homes who have created a wide variety of home styles from apartments to luxury detached homes, currently prices range from £139,995 to £515,000 – so there really is something for everyone young, old, singletons and families something that all the house builders here see as part of the appeal of the area.

Location remains the key attribute in selecting a new home and with easy city access and good local facilities Dalkeith Heights certainly offers this. Silhouetted against glorious winter sunshine and with wonderful rural backdrop first impressions are very positive for this imaginative new community. It is already appealing to city dwellers who are seeking extra space for their growing family.

The ‘Heights’ affords a fabulous vista over the Lothian countryside with wonderful views towards Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. The sights and rural sounds certainly stimulate the senses to create a relaxed ambience, and it would be easy to forget how close you are to the City Centre if it wasn’t for the stunning views of the Castle and Arthur’s Seat which are clear to all.

In creating Dalkeith Heights all four developers are working to co-ordinate their efforts to ensure the area maintains a stylish rural feel; tree lined boulevard, artistic iron work railings, the use of natural materials such as slate and stone and imaginative landscaping touches all will ensure the Heights quickly slips naturally into its environment. And with a firm eye to the family audience with whom the area is proving so popular woodland walks, cycle paths, extensive play areas and even a village green are being incorporated within the design.

One thing that there is plenty of is design choice; substantial detached homes, apartments and terraced homes with differing finishes and style cues all ensure that the Heights provides plenty of strong eye appeal, something that is accentuated by the red pantile style and slate roofing finishes which break up the skyline.

The four showhomes certainly do their job of showcasing the homes and with a warm welcome at each, the casual browser is always most welcome; after all as I was told at one “once you’ve seen what’s on offer you very well may want to stay!”

One of the key appeals cited by those moving into Dalkeith Heights has been space and certainly externally there is plenty and so it is on the inside as well. Recognising that the appeal on the outside must be matched by the appeal on the inside, each developer has created different solutions, all of which work well.

Clever use of colours, textures and fabrics are designed to maximise the sense of space, a look complimented by the use of contemporary lighting. The varying finishes use the full palate; ochre, deep reds, blues, creams and browns are all in evidence, as are an array of wood finishes. Similarly imaginative soft furnishings and centre piece items of furniture, perfectly demonstrate how to deliver a stand out room. One particular area of interest was lighting, which has quite rightly been recognised as a real differentiator and some neat touches are showcased from smart designer table lamps and funky bedroom lights, to good clean lighting in the kitchens to ensure what for many is the hub of the modern family is always light and airy; I particularly liked the helicopter lamp in one of the children’s rooms.

In truth there is much to keep the most avid style spotter informed, at Dalkeith Heights you are impressed from the moment you open the door, there is a selection of excellent furnishings and an almost obsessive attention to detail so much so that you are guided through the home thinking, “what’s the next room like?” Go and take a look for yourself the first show home opens at 11am Thursday to Monday and closes at 5.30pm, you won’t be disappointed by the homes, or especially the location.

For further information, visit dalkeithheights.co.uk.