Record details

Name
For Sale - Former Abbey Nursing Home, North Berwick EH39 4BP
Situation

The historic coastal town of North Berwick is situated in the heart of Scotland’s golf coast, 24 miles east of Edinburgh. Edinburgh city centre can be reached by car in 45 minutes and can be reached by train in 35 minutes. The A1 is easily accessible from North Berwick which provides easy access to Dunbar and further south.

The former Royal Burgh of North Berwick is home to an eclectic mix of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Tourists and locals are attracted to the seaside town due to a fantastic mix of classic fish and chip shops, ice cream parlours, tea rooms, independent and boutique shops. The town has two 18-hole golf courses and is a short drive to the prestigious Muirfield golf course which plays host to events such as The Open and AIG Women’s Open. The location of the town provides views out to the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock – the world’s largest gannet colony.

Local attractions include the 5-star Scottish Seabird Centre, Tantallon Castle to the East and Dirleton Castle to the West. The town was crowned ‘most desirable place to live in the UK’ by the Sunday Times in March 2024 due to its thriving High Street, beautiful beaches, culture and transport links. It is also much in demand from those working locally and is a very desirable commuter town of Edinburgh.

North Berwick provides good local schooling for all ages with a variety of recreational facilities such as local golf courses, tennis courts and sports complex inclusive of gym, pool and health suite. 

Description

The Abbey former old persons home is a “B” listed Mansion House built on the grounds of a 12th century convent known as North Berwick Priory. It occupies a site which includes lawns and gardens to the front and rear of the building, measuring approximately 2.6340 acres which is enclosed from neighbouring roads and houses providing a quiet and private setting. The remains of the 16th century tower which was part of the convent still exists within the grounds.

The property is located to the south, west of North Berwick High Street, which is approximately a 10-minute walk away. North Berwick train station is located to the north of The Abbey and is a short 5-minute walk away. Access to the property is via a driveway up to the front of the house from Old Abbey Road. There is also access via Glenorchy Road to the south of the property.

The property comprises a 2-storey rambling L-Plan House built in 1907, adjoining single storey and attic cottage built in 1908. The house is made of local law stone with a pitched slate roof and in some areas original windows have been retained in their original stonework. Outstanding features of the property have been retained internally which include period wood panelling, beamed ceilings and elephant hide frieze and carved masques in the entrance hall.

After its completion in 1908 The Abbey was used as a private home until the 1950s when it was sold to the Edinburgh Corporation Social Services Department. In the 1960s the Abbey began operating as a holiday home for elderly residents of Edinburgh and then at a later date to take permanent residents.

DOWNLOAD PARTICULARS

Energy Performance Certificate

The Energy Performance Certificate Rating can be provided on request to interested parties. 

Planning

This property is Grade B Listed and is located out with the North Berwick Conservation Area.

Development Guidelines produced by East Lothian Council’s Policy and Projects Team, part of the Council’s Planning Department, is also available on request. 

Viewing

By prior arrangement with the Estates Section of East Lothian Council.

To arrange an appointment, please contact:

Allan Marshall

Estates Surveyor

Email: amarshall1@eastlothian.gov.uk or estates@eastlothian.gov.uk

Particulars can also be viewed and downloaded online.

If you wish particulars to be sent out to you by post, or if you intend to offer for this property and would like to note your interest and be advised of a closing date for offers, please email estates@eastlothian.gov.uk. 

Leasing arrangements

N/A

Rating Assessment

The current rateable value is £65,700 p.a. 

 The Council is advised that the postal address of the property is

The Abbey

Old Abbey Road

North Berwick EH39 4BP

Rent
N/A
Conditions of Sale

1. The property will be sold as possessed by the Council and subject to all conditions and/or restrictions affecting it, whether or not in the title deeds. Any conveyance by the Council shall contain such reservations, burdens and conditions as the Council may consider necessary for the protection of the Council’s interest.

2. Offers conditional upon gaining planning consent will be considered, but in the event of similar bids being received preference may be given to offers not conditional on planning.

3. The purchase price will be paid in full at a date to be agreed subject to the following: (a) A deposit of 10% of the purchase price shall be paid to the Council immediately on conclusion of formal missives, with the balance of the purchase price payable at the date of entry. (b) Interest at 4% above the Royal Bank of Scotland base rate will be chargeable on the balance of the purchase price from the date of entry until paid.

4. The purchasers shall be liable for any statutory notices issued after the date of conclusion of missives.

5. Any offer submitted should also include information on the proposed use intended for the property together with details of any planning and/or other consents required. This information should be as detailed as possible and include plans, specifications etc, where appropriate.

6. Prospective purchasers should also submit with their offer, information sufficient to allow the Council to obtain a suitable financial reference. Where an offer is submitted by a company (which is not a limited or public limited company) or a partnership, then the directors or partners must be named.

7. Offers are invited on the basis that full vacant possession is available to the property.

8. The purchase price is exclusive of VAT. 

Location