PERIOD properties, particularly those with interiors that have kept up with the times, are at the top of many house hunters’ wish list. Luckily, Scotland has a rich legacy of Victorian architecture, including the three highlighted here, all of which offer stylish, upgraded accommodation. By Beverley Brown.

KYMEL is a particularly imposing sandstone Victorian villa benefitting from an elevated setting backing onto woodland while the front partially overlooks the village of Renton in the Vale of Leven, West Dunbartonshire.

This substantial three-storey home has been transformed in the last four years by extensive modernisation, undertaken with care to preserve the property’s many defining architectural features – including stained glass windows, original quarry-tiled vestibule floor, ornate plasterwork and professionally stripped woodwork, floors and panelled windows – wood finishes are a speciality.

Part of the first floor currently serves as an integral two-bedroomed flat accessed by an independent external staircase and internal connecting door, which as it stands, could be ideal for granny/teenage/letting purposes. Kymel’s other key attraction is its mature setting with illuminated gardens, car parking for up to six vehicles, two outbuildings and landscaped rear garden with sun deck and patio area. This home is a keeper – for sale with Slater Hogg’s Helensburgh office at offers over £395,000.

The Herald:

MANSEWOOD, on the south side of Glasgow, is the setting for a detached sandstone villa originally dating from 1873, but which has been professionally developed with the addition of a two-storey extension that massively enhances the original footprint to provide a quirky layout with family accommodation over three main levels.

This home has many notable design points, ranging from the more traditional lounge with feature fireplace, to the contemporary wing and a visually striking fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and two-tier island.

Outside are mature garden grounds to the front, side and rear, with off-street driveway parking for at least four or five vehicles. The rear garden is fully enclosed, adding to the property’s seclusion and privacy. For sale with Corum’s Shawland’s office, this is a substantial family home at offers over £375,000.

The Herald:

AS the first of Scotland’s New Towns, East Kilbride is mainly associated with modern estate houses and apartment blocks, which makes Castleglen Cottage something of a rarity.

Situated on the banks of the Kittoch Water in the Stewartfield area of the town, externally this sandstone period home has a small terrace, main side garden and access via a picturesque stone-built bridge over the river, to a further garden with lawn, trees and fruit bushes. The cottage also has a private driveway and detached double garage.

Extended in the past and meticulously upgraded by the present owner, the cottage comprises entrance porch and hall leading to a double aspect lounge, living room, third bedroom, fully tiled bathroom with separate shower, and a 20ft dining kitchen linking to a spacious family room with a vaulted ceiling, triple Velux roof lights and doors to a Paris balcony overlooking the garden.

Both reception rooms have feature fireplaces – the lounge has French doors out to the walled rear terrace overlooking the river.

Offers over £375,000 are invited by Rettie’s Newton Mearns office.