Grey Lads, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders

This creatively conceived three-bedroom home occupies a position of unspoilt beauty in the rural Scottish Borders. Its architectural design is contextually driven, defined externally by larch cladding, exposed structural steel and a slate roof. A series of flowing living spaces and cosy retreats unfold over almost 3,000 sq ft within the L-shaped plan. Verandas and a sheltered balcony form an integral part of this house, along with extensive grounds, which are home to two immense workshops, a sauna and a polytunnel. The hub towns of Hawick and Jedburgh are within 20 miles, and the city of Carlisle lies around 30 miles south-west.



The Tour



Quiet country roads, bounded by drystane dykes and sheep-filled hillsides, lead into a shared access road; Grey Lads lies at its end, in a bucolic, discreet position. Two expansive workshops bookend a generous, circular driveway, punctuated by beds of flowers awash with long swaying grasses and tall bushy shrubs.



Taking cues from the surrounding landscape, the house and garden have been creatively designed to sit harmoniously within their glorious setting. A two-storey extension sits alongside the original single-storey bungalow, completely transforming a previously modest home into an impressive rural idyll. All are clad in greying larch boards while chunky, greying timber posts to the front and side carve out verandas – sheltered spots for a morning coffee or evening sundowner.



Internally, the house is fluid and versatile in layout, conceived to support the practicalities of everyday life and easy entertaining while maintaining a constant visual connection to the awe-inspiring milieu. The primary entrance melds into the timbered facades, creating an inviting entry point. This leads directly into an extravagant fusion of living spaces; grand in scale and homely in ambience.



The spacious main reception room has areas to sit, cook and dine, gently delineated by exposed elements of supporting structure. Alongside is the sitting room painted a deep red, it has a cosy feel, with a warming built-in wood-burner.



A bespoke painted stair ascends to the lofty mezzanine level. Set within the roof, a series of hefty timber posts and a strident ridge beam anchor its open layout. There is plenty of space to work and play, while at the southern gable, glazed doors open to an enticing shaded balcony.



The three double bedrooms within the house unfurl within the floorplan of the original bungalow, providing a set of tranquil and distinct retreats. Each is positioned to offer a unique view and atmosphere. The main suite is beautifully bright care of its double aspect nature, and has generous built-in storage and an en suite shower room. The two further bedrooms look out to the stretching neighbouring farmland and grassy slopes. A shared bathroom lies alongside.



A well-considered utility room (a handy secondary access for after muddy walks) and a WC complete the layout.



Outdoor Space



Grey Lads occupies a unique position, immersed in the heart of the Borderlands hill country. Its naturalistic garden stretches to around one and three-quarters acres, with free-flowing beds, chock-full of perennial planting, tall swaying grasses and newly planted trees, carefully positioned to offer contrasting colour and texture against the verdant, bucolic backdrop.



Expanses of lawn unfurl to the sides, melding with paved terraces that provide a variety of lovely places to sit, dine and huddle around a fire pit. An edging burn lies to the rear of the house, with an adjacent hand-crafted sauna.



Two immense workshops, where the current owner crafts suspended wood-burning-stoves and metal sculptures, bookend the entrance driveway at the front of the house. A store and polytunnel lie alongside.





An additional 10 acres of separate land and a further large shed/workshop are available by separate negotiation; more information is available on request.





The Area



Though wonderfully secluded and private, the house is close to Newcastleton, which has a range of shops including convenience shops, a post office, a Costcutter general store, newsagents, traditional butchers and a bakery. There is also a garage on hand for petrol and electric battery charging. The Olive Tree is a welcoming local café, and The Grapes and The Liddlesdale Hotel are lovely places to gather to dine and for an evening pint. There is a thriving local community and cultural scene culminating in a summer music festival and the annual Common Riding.



This part of the Borders is famed for its wild, unspoilt beauty and abundant sporting options to delight in the surroundings. Larriston itself is strongly associated with the Eliot clan but perhaps the most famous local landmark is the striking Hermitage Castle, only a five-minute drive from the house.



The undulating hills and valleys are nonpareil for keen outdoors people, who can enjoy the many trails and beautiful river glens, rambling, cycling and riding. There is an array of excellent mountain bike trails nearby. Fishing is available on several rivers, and local public golf courses are abundant, while there are plentiful opportunities for sailing, waterskiing, yachting and paddleboarding at nearby Kielder Water.



A plethora of larger local towns are a short drive away. Close by is Jedburgh, handy for stocking up on everyday provisions and high street fare. The mill towns of Hawick and Galashiels are nearby and provide a wider range of national supermarkets and leisure activities, including cinemas. Hawick hosts an annual film festival and has an active artistic community. The popular tourist spots of Melrose and Kelso are also within easy reach.



Carlisle is around 30 miles south-west. Here is an array of shops, including those within The Lanes Shopping Centre, perfect for an afternoon of browsing. The city also has a plethora of popular restaurants, bars and renowned live music venues, including The Brickyard and The Old Fire Station, together with a recently renovated art gallery and museum. For fine dining, the Michelin-starred Pentonbridge Inn is a terrific dine-and-stay option, with a delicious seasonal tasting menu based around local produce and under 25 minutes from the house. Edinburgh and Newcastle are also both within easy reach for a city day out.



Kielder Forest is 16 miles north-east and has a unique collection of art and architecture, including ‘Kielder Belvedere’ and James Turrell’s light sculpture, ‘Kielder Skyspace’. Renowned for having the darkest skies in England, the area is designated a protected dark sky park with a world-famous observatory. One of the area's most delicious restaurants, The Pheasant Inn, is also located here.



Also within easy reach is the Lake District, with the enticingly lovely town of Keswick only an hour and a quarter by car.



Newcastleton has a village primary school; for secondary schooling, buses run to Hawick and Langholm.



The M6 motorway lies around 25 miles south-west, where the A74 (M) and the A69 connect Carlisle to Newcastle, 60 miles east. Carlisle Station is only 30 miles away; from here, the West Coast mainline connects to London Euston in approximately three and a half hours, with northbound services running to Glasgow and Edinburgh in around an hour. Edinburgh is also accessible by train from Tweedbank, 35 miles north, where there is free parking. There are international airports at both Newcastle and Edinburgh, reachable in around one hour 20 minutes and one hour 40 minutes respectively.



Council Tax Band: D