In the Tweed Valley, just six miles from the pretty Borders town of Peebles (all facilities) lies the little village of Innerleithen (shops, pubs and hotel).

It is here you will find St James, a stunning conversion of an old, stone-built school hall. Retaining its original vaulted ceiling and arched, leaded windows, it is now a light, airy and extremely spacious holiday home.

The open plan living area has polished wood floors, an open fire and an island kitchen area which has been fitted and equipped to an extremely high standard using oak which was a storm casualty on the nearby Stobo Estate.

Having the shell of a building like this to work in gives lots of scope for style and imagination and the conversion has this in spades. The different roofing effects are a case in point, with original high vaulting in the main area and the lower, modern beams in the kitchen under the gallery.

Here nothing has been forgotten that could contribute to guests’ comfort. The open fire in its cast iron surround provides a warming and welcoming focal point to the living area and even the bathroom with its slate floor and exposed stone wall is stylish, spacious and practical.

A spiral staircase leads up to the romantic galleried double bedroom where dark wood rafters cocoon you so it is possible to imagine that you are floating off to sleep in space!

With two convenient storage areas, one at the main entrance and another larger one at the side, there is plenty room to store cases, coats, shoes and equipment well out of the way. Outside, there is a small, enclosed, grassed garden with a pretty decking area.