When Brian and Cecily Aitken built their beautiful Bahamas-inspired home on a quiet residential avenue in Newton Mearns, it was streets ahead of its time.

Three decades ago, no one had ever seen anything quite like it – and Rum Cay, named after the island upon which the couple lived in the late 1960s, remains an eye-catching local landmark.

From the grand exterior, with its canopied entrance and cathedral-style windows, to the colourful contemporary interior complete with gallery, double height ceiling and spectacular carpets, it is an entirely unforgettable house.

“My parents loved doing things differently, and they had lots of great ideas,” smiles the couple’s son Gary, who grew up in the house.

“You don’t always give your parents credit for what they can do when you are young, but now I can see this is a house ahead of its time.”

Rum Cay is situated high up on Broomcroft Road in a pleasant little pocket of sought-after Glasgow residential hotspot Newton Mearns.
Rum Cay was designed and built by Brian, who ran Aitken Building Contractors in the city for many years.

“It was the third home he had built to live in,” says Gary. “Their first home together was in the Bahamas – it was around the time that lots of British people went over there to set up new businesses and take advantage of the opportunities to do so.

“My dad ran a gardening business out there.

“They used to holiday in Miami and came back with lots of inspiration and ideas from there which you can see in Rum Cay.”

The three-storey property is perfect for flexible family lifestyles. The magnificent reception hallway, with its galleried double height ceiling and landing above, leads through to the stylish drawing room, which also boasts a full-height ceiling and a pretty minstrel gallery.

The ground floor also includes the large formal dining room, dining kitchen, family room and study, which has a glazed wall to the lounge.

It’s an unusual feature, but it makes much more sense when Gary explains his dad’s study was once the swimming pool.

“When my parents got a bit older, they decided to cover over the pool and turn it into a bedroom, en-suite and office space,” he explains.

“But the swimming pool is still there and could be operated again as such if the new owners wished to do so.”

Sweeping through the lounge, family room and dining room are some impressive carpets – bold pinks, purples and blues stand out against the neutral walls and elegant furniture, while large swirls of patterns catch the eye.

These, says Gary, are all his mother’s doing.

“Those are all my mum’s favourite colours,” he smiles.

The master bedroom, with en-suite shower room, is on the ground floor, which also comprises two WCs, one with a powder room attached.

A broad staircase leads to the gallery, which overlooks the drawing room and provides access to a large double bedroom and en-suite bathroom, plus two further bedrooms and a Jack and Jill en-suite bathroom.

One of the bedrooms has a staircase leading to the attic room, which could be used as a sitting room or a further bedroom.

Outside, the gardens are large and well-looked after, with plenty of room for play and al fresco dining. 

“It’s a great house, with lots of flexibility and whoever the new owner is will have lots of opportunities to put his or her own stamp on it,” says Gary.

“Above all else, it’s a fantastic family home. I loved living here, my children have loved visiting their grandparents here over the years and we will all miss it.”

DETAILS

WHAT - Four-bedroomed detached villa

WHERE - Newton Mearns

COST - Offers over £895,000

CONTACT - Corum 0141 639 5888

For more hot properties, head over to our sister site s1homes here