It’s a minute or two before I can tear my eyes from the sweep of the Tay and step in from the balcony to explore the rest of the Turret.
Beyond the rooftops of Dundee’s West End lies the glittering expanse of the river and the hills of Fife beyond.
The Turret occupies the top floor of Duncraig House, a former jute mansion built in 1890.
It’s been used for various purposes in its long history and 17 years ago was converted into five luxury apartments.
Almost incredibly, the stunning attic level with its balcony and turrets was once thought fit only for the servants.
“The owners would have occupied the lower levels of the house and the servants would have lived up here,” explains owner David Rollo.
“If you go to Verdant Works there’s a video of what an old jute mansion would have looked like. That video was filmed in this house.”
David and his wife Elizabeth have lived in the Turret for 16 years, buying it from former Dundee United midfielder David Hannah.
The main entrance is through a large oak door to the side of the house. It leads up a grand communal staircase that’s lit by a huge stained glass window. Another door opens onto a private stair up to the apartment itself.
A large hallway forms the backbone of the house. The living room is a magnificent space, with a set of French doors opening onto the balcony with its amazing Tay views – a favourite spot for David and Elizabeth to enjoy a gin and tonic on a summer’s evening.
A pair of turrets facing east and west have their own delightful little windows, while a bank of three windows look out to Invergowrie and capture the evening sun.
“This has been a great room to host parties in,” Elizabeth says. “We held my retirement do here.”
Another fine room for entertaining is the kitchen, with its raised dining platform and own set of unique windows looking out over the Tay. An east facing window lets in the morning light and makes it a sunny spot to have breakfast.
The master bedroom has built in wardrobes and a large en suite with bath and separate shower.
A guest bedroom also enjoys an en suite and there are two more bedrooms, one of which is used as David’s study.
Outside are beautifully maintained communal garden grounds, again with views to the Tay.
David and Elizabeth (both 67) have bought a bungalow nearby that they’re planning to extend. “We’re grandparents now and although this place has great gardens we ideally want something where we can let the grandkids out the back door and supervise from the kitchen window.
“We will miss this apartment though. I don’t think we’ll ever get views like these again.”
The Turret, Duncraig House, Glamis Road, Dundee is on sale with RSB/Lindsays for o/o £350,000