Eddleston, Peebles, Scottish Borders EH45

Portmore Estate is a highly desirable Scottish Estate extending to some 3,459 acres (1,400 hectares). Centered on Portmore House, a Category A-Listed country house, the estate sits within beautiful and well-tended policies with restored walled garden and Victorian glasshouse, a parterre, parkland fields, mature deciduous woodlands, farmland and hill ground, together with the reservoir to the north. The estate provides great seclusion and amenity, nestled discreetly in the rolling Borders countryside. The farming enterprise is run from Boreland Farm, which lies to the south of Portmore House and includes a farmhouse, cottage and practical range of modern and traditional farm buildings. The highly regarded pheasant shoot, which ran for many years, has very recently ceased following the retirement of the keeper.

The gardens at Portmore are a notable feature of the estate having been carefully restored and developed under the current ownership of the last 40 years. A tree lined drive leads from the entrance lodge to an extensive gravelled sweep to the front of the house with lawns and backdrop of fine deciduous specimen trees. To the east lies the parterre with a stone edged canal and fountain which are set in the grass terraces and surrounded by yew hedges.

The Walled Garden is exquisite and lies to the north of the house, extends to about 1.5 acres and since 1987, has been extensively restored by the current owners. Its original traditional style has been complemented by a more contemporary approach, resulting in an outstanding and significant garden of considerable note. It benefits from a southerly aspect, is enclosed by a whinstone wall and wrought iron railings with a Victorian glasshouse and brick outbuildings on the north side. The garden is symmetrically laid out with gravelled paths, lawned areas, hedging, herbaceous borders and specimen shrubs and Trees.

To the east is the Water Garden with a stream and number of pools interplanted with specimen shrubs, trees and herbaceous planting. Lying beyond is a woodland walk with a fine collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and spring bulbs completing the superb horticultural features at Portmore.

PORTMORE LODGE
Portmore Lodge lies to the west of the estate and adjacent to the A703 public road. It is a delightful, traditional lodge of stone construction under a slated roof and providing the following accommodation over one floor. Portmore Lodge sits within its own garden principally down to lawn with borders and parking to the east. It is let under a Short Assured Tenancy.

PRIMROSE COTTAGE
Primrose Cottage is a most attractive traditional stone built cottage under a slated roof and lying a short distance to the east of the walled garden. It has recently been modernised and provides good sized accommodation over two floors. Primrose Cottage sits within its own garden, principally down to lawn with borders, shrubs and trees. It is occupied as part of the employment of the Head Gardener.

HILLHEAD
Hillhead is a traditional stone-built cottage lying to the north of the walled garden and was occupied until recently by the retired Estate Gamekeeper. It sits within a good sized garden with parking area. The cottage has oil central heating, a rayburn stove in the kitchen and a wood burning stove in the sitting room. In addition there is a traditional range of Victorian kennels lying to the north east of the house and a game larder with fridge room and prep room. Sitting next to the cottage is a range of timber outbuildings providing useful storage. The cottage is currently unoccupied.

Portmore Estate is situated in a most private and highly scenic rural setting, a short distance from the village of Eddleston and about 5 miles to the north of Peebles in the Scottish Borders. Eddleston is a delightful conservation village with a thriving community with a primary school, village hall and the Horseshoe Inn. The historical Royal Burgh of Peebles, on the River Tweed, offers an extensive range of services including independent retailers, supermarkets, banks, medical centre and both primary and secondary schools.

Portmore Estate is highly commutable to Edinburgh. Situated some 18 miles to the north of Portmore, with the city centre reached in about a 45 minute journey by car, Edinburgh offers a wealth of amenities including a wide variety of retail outlets, restaurants, museums, art galleries and 3 universities. Home to the Edinburgh Festival and the Fringe, the city has numerous theatre and concert hall venues. Its international airport reaches destinations throughout Europe and North America, whilst the Waverley Railway Station provides daily services north and south including the London Sleeper service. Edinburgh has a number of independent schools offering both primary and secondary schooling. St Mary’s Preparatory School is found at Melrose, lying about 29 miles to the south-east.

The Scottish Borders is a county of gentle rolling countryside comprising fertile arable land, grassland, woodlands and hills, with the Tweed river system running through it, renowned for its excellent salmon fishing. The county has had a vibrant history including that of the Border Reivers and associated fortresses and castles and was renowned for its great woollen textile industry which still forms a major contribution to the local economy. The county offers a wealth of recreational activities including shooting, fishing, hill walking, mountain biking and for the golfer, a number of excellent courses including the Peebles Golf Club. The Scottish Borders has a strong equestrian identity which continues today with racing at Kelso. There are also Rugby Clubs in a number of the local towns. The nationally renowned Borders Book Festival, which has been running for 20 years, is hosted annually in Melrose.