GARDEN:
The garden represents this apartment’s best hidden asset. Mostly decked and therefore very low-maintenance, its unusual, soothing rock water feature is the centrepiece. This space comes into its own in the spring and summer months, since, unlike so many New Town gardens it actually gets quite a lot of sun, especially in the late afternoons and evenings. Being west-facing, with no towering buildings to block the sun’s rays, it is a rare retreat in this part of Edinburgh. Throughout the year, however, the inspired outdoor lighting makes this tranquil terrace an inspired addition to the property.
HART STREET:
Compared to very many streets in the New Town, the elegantly wide Hart Street is a haven. Located just off Broughton Street, to the south of Forth Street, it is covered with tarmac. (Tarmac is one of Scotland's great inventions so, unlike many roads around here, there is no rude awakening by the sound of rubber tyres – yet another great Scottish invention, by the way – rumbling over the cobbles!) Hart Street is part of an exquisite Georgian development which was conceived and overseen by Hugh Cairncross in the early 19th Century. Robert Adam (the most celebrated of all British Georgian architects) was in fact Cairncross's mentor.