Set amid a mature orchard and raised beds of ripening crops, this quiet steading in the heart of rolling Scottish countryside seems strangely out of tune with its famous owner’s rock star lifestyle.
But that won’t matter to fascinated fans of Fish, the former frontman of cult prog rock band Marillion, who are enjoying a rare glimpse inside their pop idol’s world after the singer placed his beloved home of more than 30 years on the market at offers over £850,000.
The musician, who achieved fame with Marillion between 1981 and 1988 before enjoying a successful solo career, has owned the converted farm buildings in the hamlet of Spittalrig, near Haddington in East Lothian, since 1988 but is selling up as he prepares to start a new life as a crofter in the Outer Hebrides.
Marillion singer Fish, real name Derek Dick, called the luxurious house in East Lothian home for more than 30 years
And as the name suggests, The Studio offers prospective purchasers a unique opportunity to buy not only a spacious and airy four-bedroom house but also a fully sound-proofed recording studio, where Fish - real name Derek Dick - and many other artists have laid down tracks over the years.
Just a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh, it was a popular choice among fellow musicians with Nazareth, The Blue Nile, Then Jericho, PJ Harvey and Radiohead just some famous names who recorded there when it operated as a commercial studio until 1998.
The house’s musical pedigree is on show everywhere and viewers studying the online brochure will be immediately struck by the impressive array of gold and platinum discs amassed by the band and the extraordinary collection of portraits of the lead singer which adorn many of the walls in the spacious four-bedroom property.
The spacious sitting room adorned with greenery
Gold and platinum discs among the artwork
One of the challenges facing any successful buyer will be finding enough of their own collectibles to fill such spaces, although they might take a leaf out of the green-fingered present owner’s book and fill it with plants.
The main, open-plan living and dining space with its exposed stone walls and central woodburning stove and numerous pot plants exudes a chilled-out garden centre café vibe.
In fact, The Studio’s beautifully tended and bountiful acre of grounds, featuring raised beds, patio areas and terraces, have also achieved celebrity status after appearing on both The Beechgrove Garden and Gardeners’ World in recent years.
Inside, the four-bedroom house, which has been extensively modernised across a single level, is flooded with natural light with vaulted ceilings in the main reception area - just as well given the 6ft 5in height of the seller.
French doors in the dining kitchen, main living area and three of the bedrooms give direct access outside. Aside from en suite in the large principal bedroom, there are two further shower rooms and a handy office with shelves currently stacked with demo tapes.
Fish has lived in the property for more than 30 years
The main room is ideal for relaxing in
Outside, there is also a large garage and workshop and separate cabin, which the singer currently uses as a gym to keep fit.
Despite the outwardly respectable feel to the place, The Studio has reportedly been the location of some rock star shenanigans, such as the time when some unnamed band members were discovered ‘stark naked and incredibly drunk on whisky, playing croquet in the garden’.
Fish told Scotland on Sunday that he would be sad to leave the property, but is looking forward to new adventures with his wife Simone in the north. He said: ‘I recorded all 11 of my solo albums since Vigil here, the last being my designated final album Weltschmerz in 2020.
‘There are a lot of incredible memories from my time here. The dramas, the craziness, the laughter and the tears that filled this building over the years - it’s saturated with great energies.
‘It has been a fantastic place to live and work in and everyone who has been here has been blown away by the vibes, the space and the layout.
‘There are a lot of mixed feelings about leaving the Studio, but we feel it’s time to move on and let someone else enjoy what we have created here, bring their own ideas and imagination in and take it to the next level.’
He added: ‘It would be great to think that a musician might carry on the legacy of the original studio in some way, but I know that whoever takes it on will have a creative soul and they will know it’s their home as soon as they walk in the door.
‘The Studio is that sort of place. It’s different and very special and a unique dwelling that will capture the heart of someone who belongs to live there.’ The Studio is on the market at offers over £850,000, with a home report value of £875,000. More details and viewing appointments are available through selling agents Simpson & Marwick.
