Chestnut HouseMelville Castle, Lasswade, Midlothian, EH18 1AW

Chestnut House is a quite spectacular converted Coach house offering spacious, flexible and exceptionally comfortable accommodation over two floors, set around a central courtyard. The house exudes charm with many delightful features including the ornate windows, the majority of which have been double glazed, to the exposed timber beams and stone, as well as the impressive fireplaces. Having been extensively refurbished and modernised in 2005, the property caters perfectly for modern family living with well-presented accommodation over ground and first floors.

There are well-organised and free-flowing living spaces throughout the ground floor, stemming from the central and beautifully appointed dining kitchen which is a particularly fine room with an Aga and superb stone fireplace. The three original Coach entrances have been glazed to give a wonderful view of the courtyard, with doors giving easy access to the outside, but also adding to the sense of this being the central part of the house. The generous sitting room with a further impressive fireplace is off the kitchen and has a door to a south facing terrace, ideal for sitting out to enjoy the warmth of the sun during the day. The principal stair is next with the dining room adjacent and a further door opening to the sizeable library/TV room. To the other side of the house is the large utility room, also used as a back up kitchen, as well as the back door and WC. There is a garage and boiler house within the courtyard also.

Both the rear stone steps and the principal stair lead up to the first floor. The principal bedroom is situated in the south western end of the house, and is a particularly generous room with a partitioning wall leading to the fully fitted dressing area and on to the luxurious en suite bath and shower room. There are a further five comfortable double bedrooms on this floor. Three of these benefit from en suite shower rooms, while there is also a family bathroom. One of these additional bedrooms has been used as a study. To the far end of the northern section of the house is a substantial former hayloft. There is great potential for this to be developed into further accommodation, subject to the necessary consents. Beneath the hayloft there is currently an extensive workshop and store, which again offers tremendous potential.

Outside
The grounds of Chestnut House are spectacular and extend to approximately 2.46 acres in total including river frontage to the mid-point of the River North Esk. There is a wide variety of specimen trees throughout the grounds providing exceptional colour for much of the year. The house is approached by a smooth tarmac driveway which extends from the principal driveway, over which the property enjoys a right of access. There is a large parking area with a stone path leading to the back door. The cobbled courtyard can be accessed from the western driveway, and is gated for privacy. It is well protected from the prevailing weather and is a wonderful sun-trap. The expansive lawns sweep around the impressive building, interspersed with many fine trees and shrubs, while the pool house is positioned to the south eastern corner of the grounds.

Pool House
The detached pool house has a veranda fronting the garden grounds with a door opening to the games room with a conservatory off. To the other side there is a gym with shower room, leading through to the swimming pool (approx. 14m x 4m) with a hot tub in the corner also.

Historic Note
Possibly James Playfair, late 18th-early 19th century. 2 storey, 7-bay Gothick U-plan former stable and coach house block with 3 ranges around a courtyard; slightly advanced square-plan, 2-bay blocks to each angle.

Chestnut House is named after the sweet chestnut tree which is positioned adjacent to the south west corner of the house. The tree is believed to have been planted by David Rizzio, an Italian nobleman who came to Scotland in 1561 in the entourage of an ambassador. In 1564 when the previous incumbent retired, Mary appointed David Rizzio as her secretary for relations with France, an important position that came with an quarterly salary of £20

Rizzio wanted a country retreat to reflect his important position at court. The Queen tried to persuade Lord Ross to give Rizzio the lordship of Melville. Although he did not agree to this request, David Rizzio was able take apartments in the castle outside Edinburgh, and so Melville Castle became known to locals as 'Rizzio's House'. The Queen was a frequent visitor.

On one of Mary's visits Rizzio planted a tree, a sweet chestnut in the grounds of the castle, as a token of his affection for her. The tree has survived over 450 years. In response, the Queen planted five oak trees along the drive.

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