THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 15
Location, Location, Location puts this country cottage near Galashiels and Melrose firmly on the map
Built around one hundred years ago, until it was bought by present owners, Rhona and John Kennedy, ten years ago, Birch Cottage was part of Colmslie Farm - one of three former farm worker’s cottages situated at Langshaw, near Galashiels. The location is ideal for anyone who, like the Kennedys, wants to live close to Galashiels but not actually in it. “It ticked all our boxes,” says Rhona. “The cottage is deceptively spacious inside and while it offers a quiet rural lifestyle and benefits from being on a no-through road that only leads to the farm, we have easy access to the A68 for commuting to Edinburgh – which I did for several years without a problem – and are only a few minutes drive away from shops, schools and other amenities in Gala and Melrose. We are also in the catchment area for Melrose Primary and Earlston High School.” The cottage, which has a large garden that backs onto a field, is also close to the Southern Upland Way, the Old Roman Road, a golf course, a shooting range – and has beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and Langshaw hills, making this an idyllic setting for outdoor enthusiasts.
Rhona and John have substantially improved and upgraded the property in the last ten years and have just installed new fencing and a top-of-the-range boiler and completed repairs to the roof. The septic tank, which is shared between the three cottages, has also just been emptied. The accommodation is spread over two levels, the ground floor having a spacious living room with an electric stove (the chimney has been regularly cleaned should an open fire be preferred), large bathroom with under-floor heating, good -sized dining kitchen, and third bedroom, which could also be a study. Upstairs are two very large double bedrooms, both of which have built-in cupboards/wardrobes and dormer windows with traditional combed ceilings framing beautiful views over the garden and beyond. The interior has fresh neutral decoration throughout and the kitchen is attractively fitted with wall and floor units and appliances, with plenty of space for dining furniture and other freestanding appliances. Rhona and John had the original cottage doors stripped and retained their original fittings.
Outside, the garden is a major feature – and easily large enough to offer scope for growing vegetables and/or keeping chickens. At present it has plum and damson trees and blackcurrant bushes. There is also a paved patio next to the cottage for sitting and dining outdoors – and a very sizeable parking area with space for several vehicles. Langshaw lies approximately five miles north of Galashiels and five miles south of Lauder, with the A7 and A68 within easy reach. And when the Borders Railway project is completed, there will be stations at Galashiels and Tweedbank (the end of the line) to make commuting to the centre of Edinburgh even quicker and easier.
Birch Cottage is a very attractive property in a great location – for schools, commuting, shops, and for simply being in a convenient rural setting with access to a wide variety of outdoor sports and leisure activities.
Birch Cottage, 3 Colmslie Farm Cottages, Langshaw, Galashiels, TD1 2PB
In Region of £178,000 Details on page 42