THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 13
A former Water Board property near Broughton is a one-off family home
There’s no guessing as to when Forresthill Cottage was built – the year, 1907, is carved in stone along with the name in a decorative panel above the front door. Combined with crow-stepped gables and entrance porch and a castellated facade, the cottage is far from being a run-of-the -mill property. It also has a particularly attractive elevated setting with garden grounds extending to 0.5 acre, just off the A701, approx two miles from the village of Broughton, birthplace of Scottish novelist John Buchan who later became 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. In fact, the cottage was built by the Water Board, one of several houses that around the turn of the last century marked the water supply route from a local reservoir up to Edinburgh. “This one may have originally been designed as an office rather than a house and we think the flat-roofed extension at the back was added later, possibly some time in the 1970s,” explains Anna Ashmole. Anna and her husband Michael bought the cottage from the Water Board in 1999, at which point it had been unlived in for two years and was in dire need of upgrading and general TLC.
Improvements along the way included sanding and varnishing all the wood floors, internal decoration and installing a new kitchen – the latter superbly well fitted with base and wall units hand-crafted by Martin in a variety of woods, including oak, chestnut and elm, some recycled, others from trees felled on local estates. The couple also planted trees, created a patio that extends up to a south-facing wall to make a sheltered sitting area, and added a large wood shed/workshop at the side of the house next to the driveway. As the extension is not visible from the front, at first glance the cottage looks far smaller than it is. The reality is high ceilings and an all-on-one-level layout that includes a spacious hallway, 18ft living/dining room, large dining kitchen, three double bedrooms, box room/nursery, and bathroom. The cottage also has a large floored attic access via a ladder and hatch in the hall. At present only used for storage, this space has conversion potential (subject to planning consents). Neutral decoration and natural wood floors make the interior of this home light, bright and easy to live with. The front-facing living room has a large multi-fuel stove on a slate hearth, which in addition to heating the room also controls the solid fuel central heating system.
The kitchen is a main selling point, with beautifully crafted units providing abundant storage. The natural wood floor here is painted a deep chestnut colour that ties in with the darker toned unit details. Appliances include a built-in stainless steel oven and hob, extractor, and space for a dishwasher, washing machine and fridge freezer. The room also has a back door to the garden. The bedrooms are a good size – the second bedroom has a fitted platform bed that keeps the floor area clear. The third bedroom is currently used as an office but would equally make an attractive double bedroom, particularly as it has a large front -facing bay window with wood panelled surround. The bathroom has a white suite, heated towel rail, and large skylight window. The cottage has gardens to the front, side and rear, mainly comprising lawn and patio, with trees and shrubs.
Broughton is a pretty village and amenities include a well-stocked local village store, primary school, village hall, park, and a very fine tearoom/bistro/bar. Just outside the village is a small independent brewery, well-known for its range of ales. The surrounding countryside is a Mecca for walkers - the John Buchan Way, which extends over hills and moors between Broughton and Peebles, is only one of several famous walks in this part of the Borders. Other nearby attractions include Dawyck Botanic Garden and Stobo Castle health spa. The cottage is also conveniently situated for access west to the market town of Bigger and east to Peebles.
Forresthill Cottage Broughton Guide Price £235,000 Details on page 32