TOWN mice and country mice alike will be weighing up the advantages of

nestling into Saltoun Hill, a charming family home in the conservation

village of East Saltoun, near Haddington, East Lothian. Although the

historic house was once a manse, those who are as poor as church mice

are likely to find the price beyond their means, writes Stewart

McIntosh.

The B-listed house dates back to 1802 when it was designed by Robert

Burn, a pupil of the famous Scots architect Robert Adam. Burn also

designed several distinguished Edinburgh buildings as well as Saltoun

Church, which has a fine steeple.

''The property forms a family house of ideal size, with delightful

rooms and many period features,'' says Mark Atkinson of estate agent

Brodies of Edinburgh. There are three reception rooms, six bedrooms, two

bathrooms, and a modern kitchen with an oil-fired Aga cooker.

Saltoun Hill retains many period features such as open fireplaces,

timber panelling, plaster cornices, and many working shutters It stands

in mature gardens of about one acre with some splendid trees and useful

outbuildings.

The most famous incumbent of the manse was Dr Gilbert Burnet, a

distinguished theologian. He kept a library of old and rare books which

remained in the manse after he left, and was added to by subsequent

incumbents. The collection is now in the National Library of Scotland.

He is thought to have planted the magnificent copper beech on the

north side of the house, known as Bishop Burnet's Tree.

East Saltoun lies at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills, about 16 miles

south east of Edinburgh via the ring road and the A1. Local woodland

walks include Strawberry Wood, which is just across the former glebe

field from the manse.

The village has an interesting history which is closely tied in with

that of the Fletchers of Saltoun, an enterprising local family which

responded to a deep seventeenth-century economic recession with

initiatives such as the building of Scotland's first barley mill, and

the establishment of the linen weaving industry.

The agent is quoting offers over #270,000 for Saltoun Hill. ''This

looks extremely good value when compared to a Georgian townhouse with

similar accommodation in Edinburgh, which would be worth at least

#400,000 and have much less of a garden,'' says Mark Atkinson of

Brodies.