Cherry Tree Cottage, 14a High Street, Kirkcudbright

An absolute gem tucked away behind Kirkcudbright’s historic High Street, this B-listed property is accessed from a private close and overlooks the National Trust Gardens at Broughton House next door. The property has been painstakingly renovated and refurbished to form a quite magnificent two bedroomed upside down cottage with modern high quality fitments and a contemporary feel. The first floor comprises an impressive open plan living/dining/kitchen area with vaulted ceiling and full height architectural glass panels on either side of the chimney breast overlooking the National Trust Gardens facing west. The property benefits from gas heating, double glazing, and modern kitchen and bathroom fitments.

The artist, E.A. Hornel purchased number 14 High Street in 1909 shortly after he bought Broughton House next door. He purchased number 14 ostensibly to acquire the large garden and thereby allow him to extend his own garden. It seems to be about this time that number 14 was split into two properties: the main house at number 14 and the studio cottage number 14A created from the old stable block. Hornel rented out both properties. Most famously, Charles Oppenheimer, another member of the now famous Kirkcudbright School of Art, rented number 14 for almost 21 years and he painted the house and its garden several times.

Number 14A had a number of tenants. Mabel R Brunton, an artist who worked in metal, rented the cottage in the 1920s. Some of her work, a wonderful Art Nouveau style crucifix and offertory plate, can be seen at the nearby Presbyterian Greyfriars Church. The academic and writer, Dorothy L Sayers also rented the cottage in the 1930s. During her stay at number 14A she completed Five Red Herrings, a Lord Peter Wimsey mystery set in the artists’ community of Kirkcudbright.

Kirkcudbright is an attractive harbour town situated on the banks of the River Dee. The town itself is of historic and architectural interest with its ancient High Street, Tolbooth Arts Centre, Stewartry Museum and numerous galleries. Long frequented by artists, Kirkcudbright was home to the renowned artist, E.A. Hornel, one of the “Glasgow Boys” who lived in Broughton House next door, now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. This artistic tradition is maintained today by a flourishing colony of painters and craft workers which has led to Kirkcudbright being named the “Artists’ Town”.

The southwest of Scotland is a genuinely rural area with its gentle rolling landscape, mild climate and dramatic coastline. The area has a good range of sport and outdoor activities with opportunities to take shooting in the area, fishing on the nearby rivers and of course golf. The Solway is also a popular yachting destination and Scotland’s only Blue Flag Marina is but a short walk away.

ACCOMMODATION
14A High Street is accessed from the High Street via doorway leading into a cobbled and paved Close which in turn leads to the main entrance and on to the private enclosed courtyard garden to the rear.

ENTRANCE HALLWAY
Karndean, parquet flooring. Contemporary Zehnder vertical wall radiator. Recessed LED ceiling spotlights. Smoke alarm. Carpeted staircase with recessed low voltage stair lights to first floor level with contemporary oak wooden handrail and glazed balustrade leading to first floor level. Under stair storage cupboard.

DOUBLE BEDROOM 1 3.58m x 3.52m
Two Georgian-style sash and case double glazed windows to each side with deep sills beneath. Contemporary radiator. Recessed LED ceiling spotlights. Further sash and case window to opposite side with roman blind above. Built in cupboard with hanging rail and shelving. Cupboard housing electric consumer unit and meter.

SHOWER ROOM 1.76m x 1.72m
Contemporary shower room with suite of white wash hand basin with mixer tap and WC inset into modern Kohler vanity unit. Curved chrome and glass corner entry shower cubicle with mains mixer shower above. Wall mounted Kohler glazed bathroom cabinet. Chrome heated towel rail. Recessed LED ceiling spotlights.

MASTER BEDROOM WITH ENSUITE   4.05m x 3.90m 
Two Georgian-style sash and case double glazed windows to side with window shelf beneath. 15 pane double glazed door leading out to courtyard and patio. Contemporary Acova radiator. Large built in wardrobe with partially coombed ceiling and clothing rail. Cupboard housing washing machine and wall mounted Worcester gas fired boiler with shelving. Recessed LED ceiling spotlights. TV aerial point. Fitted carpet.

ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM    2.50m x 2.50m
Vinyl anti slip flooring. Tiled from floor to ceiling. Two double glazed Georgian style windows to side with Roman blind above providing ample natural light. Contemporary counter top wash hand basin with mixer tap and vanity unit beneath. Gerberit White W.C. Contemporary double walk in shower cubicle with mixer shower above. Extractor Fan. Zehnder contemporary heated towel rail. Recessed LED ceiling spotlights.

Contemporary carpeted staircase with wooden handrail and glass balustrade panels leading to first floor level with stairwell lighting.

First Floor Accommodation

OPEN PLAN SITTING ROOM / DINING ROOM / KITCHEN   
Wonderful contemporary space, with an abundance of natural light with pitched full height ceiling. Double glazed full height architectural windows facing west, enhancing the outlook over Broughton House gardens and towards the estuary and hills beyond. Electrically-operated Velux windows on either side of the main living room area provide additional natural light. Contemporary vertical radiator. Gas stove with limestone surround. Fitted carpet. Step down to:-

Kitchen Area  4.05m x 3.60m
Contemporary high gloss fitted kitchen units with ‘Silestone’ by Cosentino engineered quartz work surfaces with inset ‘Franke’stainless steel one and a half bowl sink. Parquet wood effect flooring. Integrated dishwasher. Integrated electric hob with contemporary chimney style extractor hood above. Ceiling downlighters. Electrically-operated Velux windows on either side of the Kitchen providing additional natural light. Original Georgian windows with shelved alcoves above on one side with further double glazed sash and case style window to other. Built in shelved pantry cupboard.

OUTSIDE
A private hard landscaped paved and pebbled courtyard and patio area to the rear which catch the afternoon and evening sun.