GLASGOW-born architect and artist William Leiper is best known for his domestic architecture in and around the town of Helensburgh, where he lived for the last 40 years of his life. But while his residential properties highlight Leiper’s leanings to Gothic Revival, his commercial buildings are eclectic – eccentric even, in the case of Templeton’s Carpet Factory in Glasgow, said to have been modelled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
In 1900, only a few years prior to Leiper’s retirement, he designed Endrick Lodge, an asymmetrical Edwardian mansion set in two acres of landscaped garden grounds on Polmaise Road in Stirling, one of the city’s most admired residential areas. Having only changed hands once since it was built (the last time 40 years ago), this B-listed merger of Scots-gothic-meets-English-arts-and-crafts showcases many outstanding original fixtures and fittings and historic features. Expect inglenook fireplaces, wood panelling, parquet flooring, tower room, and attic rooms with access to a rooftop terrace, the latter revealing panoramic views and an original, still installed, clay pigeon shooting trap.
The accommodation spans more than 7,800sq ft over two levels – some of it still described in reference to its original use, such as ‘sporting cupboard’, ‘sewing room’, and ‘butler’s pantry’, while in the 28ft billiards room, a tucked away bay-windowed seating area is still referred to as ‘the smoking room’.
Ground floor highlights include a standout wood-panelled entrance hall with statement fireplace, 23ft formal dining room, adjoining near-30ft drawing room with large wood-burning stove (both of these rooms have external access to the rear garden), billiards room (with open fire), and a remarkable kitchen fitted with solid oak wall and base units (mostly original), integrated appliances (including a dual control five-oven Aga and induction hob), original servants’ bells, and large adjoining butler’s pantry, also fitted with solid oak units. There is also an office, utility, laundry (with wooden pulley and mangle), and cloakrooms.
Upstairs are six bedrooms, spacious sitting/sewing room with fireplace, three bathrooms, and a shower room – the principal suite boasts a 20ft bedroom with feature fireplace, fitted wardrobe/show cupboard, en suite dressing room, and bathroom fitted with coloured glass imported from Italy.
Bedroom two, which has an archway framing a focal fireplace, also has a dressing room with original wash hand basin, while housed within the tower, bedroom three has a fireplace. Two further bedrooms have original sinks.
Outside, expansive gardens are beautifully landscaped and include an orchard, and outbuildings. Endrick Lodge is a spectacular family home in Stirling’s King’s Park area, within easy reach of city centre amenities and transport links.
Offers over £1.25m are invited by Harper & Stone in Dollar.
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