Explore the landscape which so inspired Sir Walter Scott from this inviting house.
Surrounded by mile upon mile of pastoral fields and tree-shaded trails, The Old Manse is a welcoming home in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Dating to 1804 and set at the edge of the tranquil village of Smailholm, it lies in the stead of an earlier incarnation which was immortalised in the work of Scott – the abode of the priest in his poem ‘Marmion’. This landscape deeply inspired the poet as a child and its enduring beauty continues to enchant visitors, defined by its rolling fields dotted with historic ruins and crisscrossed by winding rivers.
You’ll sense the warmth and spaciousness of the house as soon as you enter. To the right of the main hallway lies the drawing room, decorated in neutral tones and serving as the perfect spot for an afternoon tea, while a second cosy sitting room can be found further along the hall. At the heart of the home is the country kitchen, complete with an AGA, roomy pantry, and relaxed breakfast room with views out to the gardens. For more formal meals, the dining room lies opposite the drawing room and creates a magical atmosphere at dusk with its rich red walls and feature fireplace.
Upstairs, four bedrooms lie off a central landing. Combining modern styling with antique touches and furnished with inviting beds and patterned fabrics, they are bathed in sunlight through windows which afford wonderful views out to the Cheviot Hills. The window seat in the master bedroom is a particularly lovely spot to take in this scenery with a cup of tea in the morning. Three sleek and contemporary bathrooms can be found on this floor, including two large baths, while a study provides a quiet place to read or write. Up another flight of stairs you’ll find the final two bedrooms and bathroom, where whitewashed beams and panelled walls create an airy refuge in the eaves.
Return downstairs and venture out into the leafy garden through the breakfast room. The house is encompassed by around an acre of lawns bordered by trees, hedges, and flowerbeds, while a second enclosed garden can be accessed through the sitting room. Here you’ll find a summerhouse and patio seating area for savouring fine weather – perhaps alongside an al fresco meal prepared on the barbecue.
The separate boot room is an invaluable place to store walking boots and fishing rods, so you can effortlessly transition from adventuring in the great outdoors to elegant country living. The Borders is a region of rich history and stunning scenery and you’ll discover an abundance of activities within easy reach, from walking in Scott’s footsteps at Smailholm Tower or his home at Abbotsford, to making the most of the world-class fishing on the Middle Tweed salmon beats nearby.
GROUND FLOOR
Access door into the kitchen and snug comprising:
Informal breakfast room seating ten guests with views over the garden. There are a further two bar stools at the kitchen island.
Snug with corner sofa and Smart TV.
Kitchen with corner island. Electric AGA, electric hob, electric oven and grill, large fridge, full size dishwasher, microwave, Magimix Nespresso machine (pod type), DAB radio. Directly off the kitchen is a large pantry cupboard.
Large boot room/utility room with a further dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, belfast sink, fridge/freezer (3 drawer freezer). This leads to an inner porch and rear access door with hanging hooks and bench seating.
Cloakroom with storage space leading to a separate WC with basin.
Inner hall, leading to the front door of the property, with bench and dresser.
Formal dining room with dining table seating twelve, but with capacity for fourteen guests. Decorative feature fireplace.
Drawing room with views over the garden, with two large sofas and a separate armchair. Please note the fireplace in this room is decorative only at this time. A wood burning stove is due to be installed later in 2024.
Sitting room with two sofas, armchair, wood burning stove, bookcase with a selection of books, door to the rear enclosed garden.
Central staircase (two turns with handrail to the first floor).
FIRST FLOOR
Large upper landing leading to four bedrooms and three bathrooms on this level.
Master bedroom with with zip and link option allowing this to be configured to a super king or twin beds, side tables, large wardrobe with drawers below, window seat and chair.
Bedroom two with zip and link option allowing this to be configured to a super king or twin beds, side tables, large wardrobe with drawers below, armchair.
Bathroom one with large walk-in shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom three with king size bed, side table, window seat, chest of drawers, in-built cupboard with shelving, hanging hooks on the back of the door.
Bedroom four with zip and link option allowing this to be configured to twin beds or a super king, side tables, double wardrobe with drawers.
Bathroom two with large walk-in shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), large bath, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Through the inner hall:
Study with desk and chair, and a separate single bed.
Bathroom three with walk-in shower, bath with hand-held shower mixer tap, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Staircase to the second floor and bedroom five and six.
SECOND FLOOR
Bedroom five with zip and link option allowing this to be configured to twin beds or a super king, side tables, chest of drawers, storage shelves, cupboard with hanging rail. Velux window with blackout blind.
Bathroom four with shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom six with zip and link option allowing this to be configured to a super king or or twin, separate 3' single bed, side tables, chest of drawers, cupboard with shelving and hanging rail. Velux window with blackout blind.
OUTSIDE
The Old Manse is surrounded by a large garden (approximately one acre) comprising lawn and herbaceous borders. The garden on the front aspect is enclosed when the access drive gate is closed. There is a further enclosed garden directly off the sitting room to the rear. This has a separate summerhouse which guests are welcome to use, as well as a patio area with garden furniture.
A charcoal barbecue is available on request (charcoal not supplied).
There is a separate lockable boot room with bench seating and storage space for outdoor kit and fishing gear.
PARKING
There is ample private parking on the gravelled courtyard to the front of the property.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
BABIES & CHILDREN
Babies and children are welcome and a travel cot and highchair can be provided on request.
DOGS
Two well behaved dogs are welcome at a charge of £25 per dog. A further dog may be considered on request, subject to details.
Dogs must be kept to the boot room/utility room until clean and dry and then kept to the ground floor, uncarpeted areas of the property. They are not permitted on the furniture, and strictly not upstairs or in the bedrooms. There is an outside tap to the rear.
When the adjoining paddock is not in use for livestock, guests are welcome to exercise dogs in this area, but must clean-up after their pets at all times.
It is important to note that the wider area around the property is farmland with grazing livestock at certain times of the year. Dogs must be well controlled and kept on leads whilst walking. Please take every precaution to ensure your dogs do not present any hazard to farm animals.
GUEST AMENITIES
Bed linen and towels are provided, along with hand soaps and shower wash. A hairdryer is supplied in each of the bedrooms.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
BT broadband is available.
