THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 15
A modern detached bungalow overlooking Innerleithen with a few surprising extras
It was a case of location, location, location that brought Rod and Barbara Grant to the village of Innerleithen eleven years ago. “Living in Edinburgh we were attracted by what the area had to offer,” explains Rod. “Barbara and I both enjoy walking and at the time, I was spending a lot of time ferrying our son, an avid mountain biking enthusiast, back and forwards to the trails here.” “We came down on a crisp winter’s day and discovered a development of new houses had just got underway, set high above the village with glorious views looking down towards Hawick, across to Traquair and west to Peebles. Even at such an early stage, we could see it had wow factor. And on the next visit we decided to make the move.” The Grants’ modern detached home is all on one level with a two-door double garage incorporated underneath, a feature that takes full advantage of the elevated setting and includes a monobloc driveway with plenty of parking space. An ideal family home, the design and configuration provides flexible and deceptively spacious accommodation.
Off an L-shaped entrance hall are four double bedrooms – two with en suite shower rooms – main bathroom, and a 28ft open-plan living/dining room with two sets of French doors (one to a full width front-facing balcony that maximizes the views; the other to the rear garden), next to which is a similarly sizeable fully integrated kitchen/dining area that leads into a rear-facing conservatory with French doors to the garden. Rod and Barbara re-designed the kitchen using the existing wall and base units to create a practical and aesthetically pleasing three-sided work area any cook would envy – especially as it includes a two-oven Aga and a second cooker with two ovens and induction hob. There is also a utility/laundry room with integrated washing machine and this area, like the kitchen and conservatory, has practical ceramic tiled flooring. This home has many notable features – also some that are unseen, such as the improved levels of insulation the Grants have installed. The living room has an attractive fireplace with super-efficient inset gas fire and the principal bedroom has an en suite dressing area with fitted wardrobes and adjoining shower room.
Bedroom two also has fitted wardrobes and a stylish shower room, while the two remaining double bedrooms could have a myriad of alternatives to accommodate lifestyle/family changes. But that’s by no means all that this home has to offer. The fully enclosed rear garden, which has been beautifully landscaped to include lawns, patio areas, and well-stocked planted borders, also houses a surprising extra – a large timber -built chalet/workshop fitted with power and heating that accommodates Rod’s unusual hobby – making traditional-style spinning wheels constructed from locally sourced hardwoods.
This is an exceptionally fine family home within easy reach of the village’s schools, shops and other amenities, while the wider area has immense appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, with beautiful riverside and forest walks, fishing, horse riding - and world-class mountain biking centres at nearby Glentress Forest and the 7stanes trails almost on the doorstep in Innerleithen. Located 45km south of Edinburgh on the A72 between Peebles and Galashiels, Innerleithen is also ideally situated for commuting to the city. As a complete lifestyle package, it appears to tick all the boxes.
When he retired from teaching, Rod set up Innerleithen Spinning Wheels and is now busier than ever making bespoke spinning wheels from his garden workshop. As the Grants are now looking to downsize, Rod’s workshop could offer scope as a garden studio, office, games den . . . the list of possibilities is only limited by the imagination.
46 St Ronans Terrace, Innerleithen, EH44 6RB
View from 46 St Ronans
Offers Over £310,000 Details on page 18