Old Easter Housebyres, Melrose

A beautifully positioned and tranquil family house, with attractive, vernacular outbuildings, within its own grounds high above the Tweed Valley, with amazing views over spectacular Borders Countryside and within commuting distance of Edinburgh by road or rail.

Melrose 3 miles Galashiels 4 miles Edinburgh 38 miles

Situation - Galashiels 4 miles Melrose 3 miles Edinburgh 38 miles

Old Easter Housebyres occupies an elevated, south-facing position in an upland valley, north of the River Tweed valley, approximately 4 miles north-east of Galashiels and 3 miles north of Melrose, within the central Borders area. Hidden by mature trees, it occupies a secluded position from which there are magnificent views of the surrounding Borders countryside. Melrose is widely considered to be the most attractive small town in the Scottish Borders. Situated between the River Tweed and the Eildon Hills, it offers a remarkable combination of historic architecture, shopping, schooling (both state and private), restaurants/hotels, sporting facilities and easy access to glorious countryside. Galashiels offers a good range of local shops, supermarkets, commercial and leisure facilities, services and schools; the Borders General Hospital is in close proximity.

Old Easter Housebyres is accessible, being equi-distant from Edinburgh, with its capital city facilities and international airport, and Berwick-upon-Tweed with its main line (inter-city to London) railway station. Nearly eleven years ago the Borders Railway between Edinburgh and the Borders was re-opened. The railway terminus (with parking) is at Tweedbank, just outside Melrose which makes the town and the surrounding area very convenient for commuting to Edinburgh for work or school. Galashiels also has a station; the current journey time from Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley is one hour.

Old Easter Housebyres is ideally situated for those wishing to take advantage of the wealth of recreational opportunities available in the Scottish Borders, an area renowned for its unspoilt beauty and strong equestrian tradition – each year Galashiels and Melrose host “The Braw Lad’s Gathering” and “Melrose Festival” as part of their Common Riding festival. It is an excellent base for those who enjoy walking, equestrianism and cycling, whilst for the golf enthusiast, there are courses at Galashiels, Melrose and Selkirk. Some of the finest salmon and trout fishing in Britain is available on the River Tweed and its tributaries, and the area boasts challenging shooting for both pheasant and grouse.

Description - Old Easter Housebyres is a rural residential property, centred around a good-sized traditional farmhouse with shelter and amenity provided by surrounding garden and woodland policies. Old Easter Housebyres Steading consists of a substantial range of traditional/vernacular buildings built of stone under slate roofs. The property also includes several small grazing paddocks with shelter provided by woodland plantation strips.

Old Easter Housebyres Farmhouse is approached from the public road by a third party owned private access track. The garden is entered off the access track by way of a gate with a driveway leading to the south-east corner of the farmhouse. A front terrace area runs along the front of the farmhouse, facing south-west. The main garden lies to the south and south-west of the farmhouse and comprises informal lawns with shrubs and trees. To the north, east and west are further policies consisting of a mixture of mature trees. Adjoining the farmhouse to the rear is a paved yard area with stone retaining wall and steps up to the rear garden/policies. The elevated position of the farmhouse allows for tranquillity and fabulous views over the Borders countryside.

The house is traditionally laid out and constructed of mainly solid stone walls with external render under a slate roof with reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, additional service rooms (including shower room with WC) at ground floor level, with bedrooms and family bathroom on the first floor, where the galleried/arched landing is of note. Two attic rooms are accessed by way of a dropdown ladder. An external stone staircase leads down to two basement storerooms. The house is in a condition commensurate with its age (last refurbished in the Seventies) and would benefit from a full programme of repair, general modernisation and redecoration. There is so much scope to breath new life in to what was a much loved family house. Adjoining the farmhouse is a garden store.

(See floor plans for room layout and dimensions.)

The property includes Old Easter Housebyres Steading which consists of a substantial range of traditional buildings and includes the original steading courtyard which helps to enclose a particularly attractive garden. The courtyard is enclosed by stone walls with a central lawn and is approached by way of two arched gateways with internal split levels connected by solid steps and grass walkways. Prospective purchasers can view floor plans for layout and dimensions of the steading when viewing the property and are advised to discuss with the selling agent before submitting an offer.