This substantial sandstone farmhouse has been the subject of a loving makeover to turn it into a spacious, comfortable and quite delightful holiday home. It has a superb position on a small country estate near St Boswells in the lovely Scottish Borders, peaceful and secluded with sweeping views towards the Border to the south. Here, you are likely to be disturbed only by the swallows as they dart in and out of their favourite nesting site in a nearby barn.
The house has been refurbished very much with families in mind. To the side of the house, looking across the large grass garden, (which children and pets will adore), is a sheltered patio area (furniture) where parents can relax with a book or a drink and watch their children at play. And if the weather is less clement, the Bothy and garage across the drive have been converted into two games areas, with darts, pool and table tennis tables.
In the house itself, there is a large, bright sitting room with open fire and a separate dining room with arch to the main farmhouse kitchen. This boasts an oil-fired Aga, which cosies the whole house, but those wary of Aga cooking will find there is an electric cooker in the adjoining pantry. A large utility room with washing and drying facilities mean that all requirements are more than adequately met.
Upstairs, there are five bedrooms. The master double is in fact a small family suite, with an arch to a single bedroom beyond with a bathroom off. In addition to this, there is a further double, two twins, and another bathroom with a separate shower.
The village of St Boswells is a couple of miles away and has several shops, among them an excellent bookshop/café and a hotel. It is on the major A68, which means that you can be in Edinburgh in about an hour from the house. (There is a regular bus service if you prefer to leave the car at home.)
But those coming to Morridgehall Farmhouse are much more likely to be beguiled by the beauties of the Scottish Border country, with its rich history and wonderful scenery. The charming abbey towns of Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose can all be reached within twenty minutes or so. The stately homes of Abbotsford, Floors Castle, Mellerstain and Thirlestane are just as close.
St Boswells has an excellent 9-hole golf course along the Tweed, and tennis courts. There is riding about 4 miles up the road at Cowdenknowes.
Other active pursuits for which the area is famous include walking in the green Border hills (the Southern Upland Way runs through Melrose and St Cuthbert's Way passes through both St Boswells and Maxton (1m). Then there is cycling, either on the quiet Borders roads or on the world-class dedicated mountain bike trails at Glentress and Innerleithen. There are plenty opportunities for fishing, either (if for salmon, at some cost!) in the Tweed itself, or, less expensively, in numerous other excellent rivers and trout lochs round about. These are also good for canoeing and kayaking, and there is scope for windsurfing and sailing at St Mary's Loch.
Heating is by oil CH (first £20 included) and open fire. Bed linen, towels and electricity are INCLUDED in the rental. Up to two well behaved pets are welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted in the house. A refundable householder's deposit will be required.
