All aboard for Borders property market as rail links boost demand

tourists to the area and significantly increasing inward investment.

Likewise the Scottish Borders property market benefited too, particularly for properties within easy reach of the seven stations that reopened at that time -- Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, Galashiels and Tweedbank, along the route of the former Waverley line.

The line was decommissioned in 1969 as part of the controversial Beeching cuts that curtailed train services across the UK. The re-established railway has generated over six million passenger journeys to date.

Prior to 2015, it was always the northern half of the Scottish Borders that attracted the majority of househunters as it offered a relatively straightforward commute to Edinburgh and Edinburgh Airport by car, via the A68 / A7 / A1. (I am not mentioning traffic jams on the A1 – I did say ‘relatively’ painless!) dream home in areas that have traditionally been more affordable. Interest in properties in the southern half of the region increased noticeably.

Similarly, the property market has opened up in the Border Valleys –with the Yarrow Valley and Ettrick Valley becoming more popular, particularly for properties situated within an easy drive to the train station. The rail link makes all these areas accessible for a daily or weekly commute.

The Scottish Borders offers the benefits of historic market towns such as Jedburgh and Melrose, beautiful natural scenery, tranquillity and excellent leisure opportunities –the area is a hotspot for cycling and mountain biking and there are 1,500 miles of walking paths.

House prices in the Scottish Borders as a whole are around 16 per cent below an average property in Edinburgh, offering the opportunity to achieve a superb rural lifestyle while remaining within easy reach of all the cultural attractions, museums and restaurants of the capital.

Last year the re-opening of the train station at Reston in the east of the region further expanded the area not every day, and so proximity to the Borders Rail Link is still an important asset for buyers. For some, the typical commuting pattern is to Edinburgh once or twice a week while others may spend a portion of the working week in London and therefore it is access to the airport which is the priority.

In the past year there has been a notable increase in interest in rural properties south of Hawick and Selkirk, and also in the area around Duns – all due to the availability of the train line from Reston, reopened after 58 years.

The new station at East Linton is due to open in 2024. As I write, a feasibility study into extending the Borders Railway all the way to Carlisle is expected to start later this year.

We welcome the investment in infrastructure and the greater access it provides for all of us - whether residents, commuters or visitors. Full steam ahead! n

Mark Paton

Teindside Farmhouse, south of Hawick

Marketed for offers over £560,000 and sold very well after a closing date.

A stunning Victorian farmhouse with 2 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms and 6 acres of land, as well as outbuildings with potential for development. 24 miles from Tweedbank station.

Kimmerghame Mains, Duns

Marketed at a guide price of £475,000, sold at a closing date after a good level of interest.

A substantial former farmhouse with about 2.1 acres of land, set in beautiful rural countryside and offering incredible potential to create a wonderful family home.

Sold Sold Sold

Kirkwell House, Duns

Marketed at a guide price of £599,000 and sold earlier this year.

A superb Baronial villa dating from 1880,which was the former Rectory for Christchurch. Situated on the northern edge of Duns with southerly outlooks over the town and the surrounding countryside to the Cheviots.