Five homes by the water's edge

It seems that so many potential buyers stipulate that they are searching for a home by the water that some estate agents have set up separate divisions to deal exclusively in this type of property.

Rowallan Mill is in the village of Kilmaurs in Ayrshire. It is a substantial house with drawing room, sitting room, family room and study, a second floor play room and four bedrooms. It is immaculate inside and out and the Carmel Water runs through the garden. Offers over £875,000. Contact Rettie & Co on 0141 639 1999.

Certainly a view over water can greatly increase the value of a home.

Danielle Knaggs, who runs a home search service particularly for those looking for waterside homes says some clients want a place to moor a boat, others are keen on fishing but most just want an outlook over water.

“Just being able to watch a river slip by and the wildlife that is attracted is a very peaceful activity and one which people are keen to have in their gardens,” she says.

Lins Mill, Ratho, is on the outskirts of Edinburgh and is a characterful former water mill with plenty of family accommodation. It has six bedrooms, a games room and a conservatory, all tucked away next to Almond Water and close to the Lins Mill aqueduct which carries the Union Canal. Offers over £895,000. Contact Coulters on 0131 603 7333.

The key to peace of mind is to choose your river, and your home, carefully.

“As long as there is a reasonable space and elevation between the river and your home, flooding shouldn’t be a problem.

“Parents with very young children should also be aware of the dangers but growing up with a river to enjoy swimming and boating is a wonderful thing for older children.”

Then there are also the romantic views that a river can bring. Rowallan Mill is a beautiful period property set in ten acres in Ayrshire.

Craigmount is at Sandyhills, south of Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a semi-detached Victorian villa with two reception rooms, dining room and four bedrooms. The views are spectacular over Sandyhills Bay to the Solway Firth, Cumbrian coast and the hills of the Lake District beyond. Priced at £299,000. Contact CKD Galbraith on 01556 505346.

Its formal gardens have a small river, the Carmel Water, running through with a historic stone bridge over it, providing lovely views from the house.

Lins Mill in Ratho, on the outskirts of Edinburgh is in a spot which has double the delights of a waterside home.

Just below the house is Almond Water while the Lins Mill aqueduct, carrying the Union Canal, spans the gorge behind the house.

The substantial home is a unique conversion of a former industrial building and has retained features from its previous incarnation, such as arched windows in what is now the drawing room.

Tyninghame Mill near Dunbar has been converted to form a main house with three bedrooms, a two-bedroom cottage and a steading with kitchenette, studio and outbuildings. It is a pretty, quirky property which has the mill lade running past with the original wooden water wheel still in situ. Offers over £795,000. Contact Savills on 0131 247 3700.

Tyninghame Mill, near Dunbar still has its old waterwheel and consists of the main mill house, a two-bedroom cottage and separate studio. The mill lade runs below the property.

Elginhaugh in Eskbank meanwhile has its picturesque ruined mill in the garden next to the river North Esk which runs through the beautiful main house’s 34-acre grounds.

The outlook from Craigmount in Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire, however, is much more far reaching.

The views stretch far over the Solway Firth to the Cumbrian coast and the mountains of the Lake District.