About this property
Pirwindy Keep is a superb country house designed in the style of a traditional fortified keep, and constructed to a very high standard in 1998. The abundance of character such as the stone façade, combined with the characteristics of a modern construction type, create what is a truly remarkable and unique family home. The house was built with natural stone to the exterior with a concrete block membrane and inner timber frame. The accommodation is well-proportioned and presented to a high standard throughout. The principal rooms offer great flexibility, and the upper levels in particular have spectacular views over the gardens, neighbouring Fife farmland and the rolling hills beyond.
The entrance hall has stone flooring, and both a cloakroom and WC situated off. Stone steps lead up to the spacious kitchen / dining room. A four oven cream AGA is set within an inset to the exposed stone wall, and provides great character, typical to that of a traditional Scottish country home. There are two Belfast sinks set into counters, and plumbing installed for a dishwasher. A door leads out onto the west and south facing terrace. A separate door leads to the staircase to the upper floors. The sitting room and family room are separated by bi-folding doors and provide a large open entertaining space if required. The sitting room has a fireplace and windows facing south and east. The larger family room is also a home cinema, being fitted with an Optoma projector and screen. It has doors out to the side of the house, and a staircase up to the first floor bedrooms. A corridor leads down to the ground floor bedroom and a bathroom. The bathroom was recently upgraded and has a Victory Jacuzzi bath, and separate shower cubicle. A utility room sits off the corridor and is plumbed for appliances, and has a separate cupboard housing the hot water cylinder and oil fired boiler.
Two staircases, one from the corridor off the kitchen and the other from the family room, lead up to the first floor. The drawing room is situated in the keep and is a remarkable living space. With windows on all four aspects, the views are outstanding. Set into the exposed stone wall is a large open fireplace, with decorative timber panelling above. A connecting hall with three Velux windows could be used as a study area, and this leads to the bedroom corridor. Off here are four double bedrooms, and a bathroom fitted with a freestanding bath and separate shower cubicle. Stairs from the corridor lead down to the family room. The principal bedroom suite on the top floor of the keep has panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The suite includes two separate dressing rooms, a freestanding bath, and an en suite WC. There is also a dedicated sitting area from where the glorious views can be enjoyed.
Local information
- The outstanding Pirwindy Keep sits in a beautiful rural setting just to the north of the East Neuk villages of Lundin Links and Lower Largo. The property is surrounded by beautiful Fife farmland, over which there are spectacular views. The house’s proximity to both St Andrews (10 miles) and the East Neuk’s stunning coastline is extremely appealing. Lundin Links and adjoining Lower Largo are two of the numerous seaside villages dotted along the East Neuk coastline. The popular beachfront village of Elie is only 7.5 miles away and is a vibrant hub of activity, particularly in the summer months. There is an array of fine dining restaurants locally including Michelin starred The Peat Inn (3.5 miles) and The Cellar Restaurant in Anstruther, as well as the renowned Craig Millar’s @ 16 West End in St Monans.
- Amongst the wide range of leisure pursuits available in the area are the many golf courses. Lundin Golf Club was founded in 1868 and laid out by the legendary Tom Morris. The world-renowned Old Course in St Andrews, also designed by “Old Tom”, will host the 150th Anniversary of The Open in 2022. Dunbarnie Links (4 miles), Elie Golf Course, and Kingsbarns (14 miles) are also within easy reach. Other sporting activities available in the immediate vicinity include sailing, cricket and horse riding, while the Sports Club offers squash, tennis, a gym, table tennis, sauna and a range of classes.
- Lundin Links and the surrounding area offer a full array of local services. Lundin Mill Nursery and Primary School are located in the village, while secondary schooling is provided at Waid Academy in Anstruther. There are also a number of private schools in the area including St Leonards in St Andrews. There are buses to and from both schools from Lundin Links. The neighbouring town of Leven has a variety of shops, including a number of supermarkets. The surrounding cities and towns are easily accessible via the excellent motorway network and also by train from Kirkcaldy (15 miles), Markinch (10.5 miles) or Cupar (8 miles). The reinstatement of the Levenmouth Rail Link is due to open by 2024 connecting Leven (5.5 miles) to the Fife Circle line. Edinburgh Airport is 39 miles away and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Additional information
- Gardens and Grounds: The cobbled driveway passes through large stone pillars, sweeps through the garden, and up to the front of the house. Here there is a generous cobbled parking area, surrounded by beautiful stocked flower beds and borders, and a range of young and mature trees, including a large sycamore. A flagstone terrace sits above the garden with steps into the kitchen, and steps down on to the lawn. The setting is fantastic for outdoor entertaining. The views from here are very special, and there is a barbeque area flanked by two attractive cherry trees. To the side of this terrace is a separate elevated timber decked area for further entertaining. The back drive is also cobbled and passes stone pillars, past the north side of the house, up to the garage / workshop. This is an attractive octagonal stone building, with wooden garage doors, and a level for storage above. There is a separate garden shed situated off the main drive.
- The spectacular gardens are flanked by the Keils Burn, which runs to the west with a band of mature broadleaf trees on the far bank offering great shelter from the west. Two bridges cross the burn at different points, one stone, one timber. The principal garden is a spacious lawn which runs up to the banks of the burn. There is a raised timber decked walkway leading into a beautiful area of woodland to the south of the property. The timber bridge over Keils Burn leads to an opening surrounded by mature trees. For this area, the owner has recently had designs drafted for the addition of a wellness suite with swimming pool and sauna (the build of such is subject to any required consents and warrants). These drawings can be provided on request.
- A summerhouse sits in the grounds of Pirwindy Keep, to the south of the main house. It offers a wonderful space for hosting parties and barbecues, with its covered timber decked veranda overlooking the spectacular gardens. The summerhouse’s internal facilities have recently been upgraded. It is of timber framed construction, and has a pitched pantile roof keeping in character with the local area. The largest room overlooks the gardens and has double doors onto the veranda and a log burning stove. There are three further rooms, one of which is fitted with cabinets and cooking appliances. There is a shower room fitted with sanitary appliances. With its facilities, the summerhouse could also function as useful ancillary bothy for a gardener.
- Services: Mains electricity and water. Private drainage to septic tank. Central heating provided by oil fired boiler in the main house.
- Local Authority & tax band: Fife Council tax band H
- Outbuildings: Aitken Property Consultancy report that the summerhouse is regarded as suitable for ancillary leisure and gardening uses. Should the building be required for the purposes of living or sleeping, an application should be made to Fife Council to obtain a building warrant to satisfy building standards for habitable accommodation. The sellers do not warrant/guarantee that the Local Authority will grant the relevant permissions
- Miscellaneous: There is a development security (clawback agreement) over the area of land in the north west corner, beyond the burn. This agreement expires in October 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not apply to the main house and its gardens to the west and south.
- Directions: Using Google Maps, the postcode KY8 5QJ provides accurate directions to the property. If heading east on the A915, continue through Lundin Links before taking the left turn signposted to Woodland Gardens. Continue straight for 2 miles and the stone pillared driveway to Pirwindy Keep is on the left hand side.
- EPC Rating: E
- Tenure: Freehold
- Council Tax Band: H
