The story around one of Fermanagh's most iconic properties is starting to take shape following part one of our "investigation" last week.

Heather House in Enniskillen is a beautiful and familiar sight to all that pass it on the Dublin Road each day but deep inside its neat and thatched exterior lies a hidden mystery - just how did this picturesque cottage come about?

Located on the Castlecoole Estate, Heather House was the family home of the Earl of Belmore and is located at one of the two entrances to the grounds. Now owned by the National Trust, it is leased to the present Lord Belmore, who has provided us with this fascinating photograph showing the family's horse and carriage.

It's a memory that's been fondly recalled by Willie Bradford, 77, who, as a child, used to watch the Belmore family's coach pass the Model Primary School on its way from Castlecoole.

"Someone said they were going to lift the mail in Enniskillen. I used to look forward to seeing the spectacle each day, I'd stand up on the desk to get a better look and the teacher would shout; 'Get down', but I loved seeing the horses going by." he said.

The present Lord Belmore says his memories of Heather House back then are a little hazy but he does explain the reasoning behind the cottage; "Basically, it was there to keep an eye on the point of entry to Castlecoole. You had a gate house on each entrance to the estate; there are four gate lodges in Castlecoole. One at the golf club entrance, it's called the double lodge gates. Then there's the one by the Weir's Bridge, which is the National Trust's main entrance. Number three is Heather Lodge and number four is Thomas Tower, on round by Castlecoole." he explained.

"Incidentally, the house was thatched with Heather originally." added Lord Belmore.

"Heather was used as roofing material for a long time, that's why it's called Heather House - that's a small point that ought to be made. But I think the answer is relatively simple - I'd say one of the many gardeners that worked in the walled garden on the estate, and there were eight to 10 of them at it's height over 100 years ago, lived in Heather House. They all had to live somewhere so I think more than likely, someone who worked on the estate lived there." said Lord Belmore.

He added, "You must remember there were never any furnaces there at all. I put the water in, a wash hand basin and electricity in. It was pretty basic living for whoever was there. And I think there was a quick turnaround of people coming and going, many of those who would have lived there would have had a job on the estate." he said.

One of the local men working and living at Heather House was Enniskillen man Ted Haskins and his family. Ted's beautiful photograph (below) of his old home now adorns his living room wall.

"We lived in it for two years from January 1957 to October 1958; there was me, my father and mother, and my brother Davey. It was a right good house in them days. Just a few rooms. I remember Lord Belmore and his family very well; we used to keep the avenues on the estate." "It was nice growing up there." added Mr. Haskins.

Charlie Oldcroft, also from Enniskillen, recalls his family's link with Heather House.

"My father was born and reared in the house back in 1887. It's actually a lot bigger inside than you think, it's really quite surprising when you are in it because it doesn't seem as small. I think there's about two rooms and a dining area in it, from what I can remember. Dad used to spend his days fishing for pike close to the Heather House, as there was a lake not too far away.

"He used to talk a lot about growing up there but when you're a certain age you don't listen, you know. It's a pity. When everything is gone and you get on yourself you realise there's a bit of history there. But I do know he always had great memories of his time in Heather House."