It’s got Blythe’s spirit!
How Victorian villa captured the heart of Taggart’s top detective
THE closing credits of the hit TV detective series Taggart settle on a grainy panorama of Glasgow, European City of Culture…..and Murder. Ironically, it is a view that has been long enjoyed by one of the stars of the programme, actress Blythe Duff, also known as Detective Inspector Jackie Reid.
DI Reid may have been adept at kicking down the odd door in gritty city housing estates in the television show, but Miss Duff’s own home in High Burnside, on the south side of the city, is an oasis of calm, with beautiful views across Glasgow and plenty of greenery.
Here, from an elevated spot on Lochbrae Drive, you can drink in views of the No Mean City all the way to the Campsie Fells and Ben Lomond, north of Glasgow.
At the foot of the hill there was once a boating loch which was drained in the 1950s to allow two primary schools to be built, hence the name Lochbrae.
The perspective has entranced Miss Duff in the 18 years she has been living in the home, with husband Tom Forrest, himself a former police officer, and their daughters Sarah and Katie.
In fact, she even takes great satisfaction that a one-time resident of the house was able to enjoy a special thrill as he looked north as a child.
It appears the handsome home has a history of housing celebrities – it was the childhood home of former Celtic and Scotland footballer Andy Walker, who today works as a pundit for Sky Sports.
Miss Duff says: ‘It must have been amazing for Andy as a boy, looking towards Celtic Park and dreaming of one day playing there.’
Walker’s family were still living in this house when he eventually did play at Parkhead, giving them an equal thrill.
The house is a striking late Victorian sandstone property.
Built around 1900, the dimensions of the three public rooms are simply enormous.
The lounge retains beautiful period features, including traditional sash and case windows, detailed cornicing and an imposing ceiling rose.
It is so gratifying to discover a house of this pedigree that has not been carved up into a number of flats. The dining room and sitting room, too, are graced by elegant cornicing and have feature fireplaces at their heart. There is an extensive games room at garden level which could also be used as an office.
The dining kitchen has an adjacent utility room, WC and shower room.
Upstairs, the four original bedrooms have been reconfigured to provide three bedrooms with a luxury bathroom, dressing room and shower room. The bathroom drips decadence and features a free-standing roll-top bath set atop a tiled plinth in the centre of the room.
The property includes an unexpected extra feature – a coach house, which could be sold separately from the main property.
It has been extensively refurbished to offer an independent living option, entirely separate from the main house.
It, too, enjoys those fabulous views from the conservatory with open-plan lounge, modern kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
Miss Duff says: ‘Whoever gets this house is getting a gift.
‘When you consider it has only had two owners in more than 50 years, you realise it’s a pretty special place.
‘We are having a new house built nearby but, still, it has taken me a while to get my head around leaving here.’
She adds: ‘I was given a beautiful drawing of the house by an artist. I liked it so much, we used it as our Christmas card.
‘I’m looking forward to moving into a bespoke property we have designed ourselves.
‘But that drawing of Lochbrae Drive will enjoy pride of place in our new home.’
For sale as one at offers over £625,000 or two lots: offers over £450,000 for the main house; offers over £175,000 for the coach house. Contact Corum on 0141 636 7588 or email ShawlandsOffice@corumproperty.co.uk