Drem, East Lothian, EH39

8 Drem Farm Cottages, Drem, EH395AP
A 176-year-old C-listed farm cottage in the hamlet of Drem, completely reimagined by an architect and finished to a precise contemporary standard.

The Cottage
Set within a Conservation Area hamlet surrounded by open East Lothian countryside, this two-bedroom cottage has been completely reconceived over nine years of considered ownership. Period character and contemporary design sit comfortably side by side.

Engineered oak floors and underfloor heating run throughout, freeing every wall from radiators. A spacious hallway with generous built-in storage leads to the open-plan kitchen and dining room: large island with seating, a dining table for eight, and enormous sliding doors onto the garden. The original stone exterior wall, exposed within the kitchen, is the defining design detail of the whole renovation. Pocket doors connect to the sitting room, with wood-burning stove.
The principal bedroom has a quiet garden outlook and ensuite shower room lit by a rooflight. The second bedroom comfortably takes a king-size bed and is served by a well-appointed family bathroom. Storage is integrated throughout.

The Renovation
Completed in 2021. The roof was retiled using original pantiles to the front with matched new pantiles to the rear, new lead flashings throughout. All windows are slimline double-glazed timber units in keeping with the Conservation Area. Rooflights added to the ensuite and family bathroom. Full building warrant and completion certificate in place.

The Garden
The rear garden is V-shaped, tapering to a sheltered seating area backing directly onto open farmland with uninterrupted countryside views and all-day summer sun. Access to the rear is via a shared vennel to the side of the property. The timber-clad kitchen extension is visible from the garden, sitting sympathetically against the original stone. The front garden is laid to lawn with raised vegetable beds. On-street parking directly outside; the current owners park at the gate without difficulty.

The Location
Drem is a scenic East Lothian hamlet with more connectivity than its size suggests. Drem station is within walking distance, with direct trains to both Edinburgh and North Berwick. The property falls within the catchment for Athelstaneford Primary School and North Berwick High School.
This is a rare cottage: honestly finished and ready for an owner who will appreciate exactly what has gone into it.

Floor area: 90 sq m (969 sq ft) EPC Rating: F (30) | Environmental Impact Rating: B (81) Council Tax Band: E Tenure: Feudal Services: Mains water and electricity. Shared septic tank drainage. Electric underfloor heating via electric boiler. Broadband connected. Listed: C Listed Conservation Area: East Lothian Conservation Area

A note on the EPC rating
The F rating reflects one factor: Drem has no mains gas, so the property runs entirely on electricity. The rating methodology penalises electric heating relative to gas regardless of system quality. Running costs are approximately £100 per month in summer and £300 per month in winter. The environmental impact rating is band B (81), well above the Scottish average, reflecting the quality of insulation and heating installed during the 2021 renovation. The F rating is a function of fuel type, not building quality.