Page 34 THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / WWW.BSPC.CO.UK

Focus on theGalashiels AreaBeverley Brown takes a closer look at the benefits of livingin and around one of the Borders’ major towns

The Galashiels area, which includes surrounding townsand villages such as Melrose, Darnick, Gattonside,Earlston, St Boswells, Stow, Clovenfords and Lauder,is up there with the best when it comes to providingthe right mix of services and amenities that make upa great lifestyle location. Good schools, sports andleisure opportunities, shops, restaurants and medicalservices combine with a wide variety of property stylesand picturesque natural surroundings to give welcomerespite from the pressures of day-to-day living.

Moreover the area also has excellent roads andtransport links that make it an ideal location forEdinburgh commuters. Add in a rail link, which isscheduled to go into service in 2013 with the re-opening of the Waverley line between the capital andTweedbank, on the outskirts of Galashiels, and thisarea seems set to receive a further boost in popularity.

Galashiels means ‘dwellings by the Gala Water’ andthe first recorded reference to the town was in 1124,during the reign of David 1. The town’s oldest building,Old Gala House, home of the Lairds of Gala for fivecenturies, is now an art gallery and local museumcharting the story of the house, its inhabitants and theearly development of the town. A newer but equallyimpressive monument is the war memorial with itsmassive Border Reiver horseman, the work of localsculptor Thomas Clapperton.

Galashiels made its name as a centre of excellence for textile manufacturing. More recently, the decline of the industry saw once productive mills becometombstones to a bygone era. However, thanks to majorinvestment, in recent years the mill sites have beenreborn in a different guise, with the largest now home to Gala Water Retail Park, where 24-hoursupermarkets are joined by top chain stores such asMarks & Spencer and Next, while links with the textileindustry are maintained by the School of Textiles andDesign, now part of Heriot-Watt University.

Riders in Scott Street, Galashiels during Gathering Week

For outdoor enthusiasts there’s something for all ages,from walks, cycle tracks and horse riding, to some ofthe finest fishing in the world. This is rugby country andGalashiels and Melrose are both represented in thefamous Border League, while Melrose was also thebirthplace of the Rugby Sevens. The rolling landscapemakes golf another major sporting attraction and withcourses in Melrose, Lauder, Galashiels and St Boswells,there’s no shortage of choice. The 18-hole course inGalashiels extends to the top of Ladhope Hill, where it’ssaid the views from the top make you forget the climb.

Lauder’s proximity to the A68, the oldest established routebetween Edinburgh and England, gives the town addedcommuter appeal and situated close to the LammermuirHills, property styles in this picturesque part of the worldare predictably varied, from traditional through to modern.The town is also unique in having retained the layout of anancient Scottish Royal Burgh, which it combines with thefacilities of a modern town with historic buildings such as15th century Thirlstane Castle, where features include anadventure playground, Victorian kitchen, and dolls housecollection, is one of the oldest castles in Scotland, datingback to the 13th century.

Surrounded by historic sites and monuments and breath-taking scenery, switching off and unwinding has neverbeen easier.

While the town itself has plenty of man-made attractions(including a four-screen multiplex cinema, sports centres,and children’s play areas), the great outdoors offersspectacular walks and hill treks, cycle routes, forestpicnic sites, and of course the River Tweed, which windsits way through the landscape until it reaches the sea justover the border at Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

Scott’s View, on the B6356 between Earlston and StBoswells, is perhaps one of the most famous vistas in theBorders, set against the distinctive triple peaks of theEildon Hills. At Leaderfoot, near Melrose, three bridgescross the Tweed where a ferryboat once operated.Steeped in history and legend, this is an area that includesthe ruined 12th century Melrose Abbey and the equallyspectacular Dryburgh Abbey, the final resting place of SirWalter Scott, whose home, Abbotsford House in Melrose,is open to the public.

Bank Street, GalashielsOverlooking the Eildon Hills

Leaderfoot Viaduct, South of Galashiels

THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / WWW.BSPC.CO.UK Page 35

Abbotsford House, Melrose Melrose Market Square

The new build sector in and around Galashiels currentlyincludes Wilderhaugh a new development by StanleyBrash Construction that is ideally suited to first andsecond time buyers or anyone looking for an affordabletown centre location. Situated on the main road toPeebles, close to Galashiels’ town centre, Wilderhaughhas just six, two and three bedroomed apartmentsremaining, ranging in price from £110,000 for a twobedroom apartment to £119,000 for a larger threebedroom style – all with private parking.

On the edge of the town, where it offers easy access tothe town centre yet enjoys a rural feel with views overthe surrounding countryside, Manse Court is an exclusiveniche development of just 12, architect-designed threebedroomed townhouses by local builder Murray & Burrell.Much thought has gone into the layout of theseproperties, which include open-plan living areas and loftspaces that can easily be converted to create additionalliving space at a later date.

It was rebuilt in 1590 and later enhanced and extendedby the Duke of Lauderdale in the 17th and 18th

century. Restored to its former splendour, Thirlestane isnow a magical setting for weddings and the setting formany special events.

Living in the Central Borders gives house buyers a farwider choice than in the city and Galashiels hasproperty styles to suit all tastes and budgets, fromstarter flats and ex local authority houses at one end to substantial stone-built semi and detached periodhouses and one-off properties at the other.

Outwith the town, the surrounding area has everythingfrom picturesque country cottages and farmconversions to modern family estates and individuallydesigned houses.

Commenting on the area’s residential property market,BSPC chairman David Kilshaw says: “Reflecting thegeneral trend nationwide, house prices in the main haveflatlined or dipped marginally lower. As Galashiels has ahigh number of one and two bedroomed flats, the lackof 90-95% mortgage availability for first time buyers hashad a greater impact than in other sectors – and havingfewer first time buyers has had a domino effect furtherup the market.”

He adds: “Overall, average house prices have tendedto be at, or slightly less than, Home Report values,however a recent burst of activity, coupled withimproving interest during April, May, June and July, hashelped to move the backlog of houses created by lastwinter’s bad weather and this momentum shouldcontinue through into the autumn.”

Melrose Abbey

Page 36 THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / WWW.BSPC.CO.UK THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / WWW.BSPC.CO.UK Page 37

Only two are still for sale priced at £154,950 and£157,950, for which special incentives may beavailable. Family-owned builders based in Galashielssince 1928, it’s interesting to note the first homesMurray& Burrell built in the town cost just £385!

Just outside town, to the west of Galashiels on the road to Peebles, is the very pretty village ofClovenfords. As remains of an Iron Age hill fort havebeen found nearby, it’s safe to say this has been a settlement for many centuries. The most notablefeature is the local hotel and restaurant, whichoccupies a prominent position on the roundaboutand in summer is ablaze with colour from spectacularfloral displays. An inn has stood on this site since themid 1700s and past patrons have included Sir WalterScott and William Wordsworth, which perhaps sayssomething about the scenic nature of this part of theworld and its ability to inspire poets and wordsmiths.

In recent years Clovenfords’ housing market hasundergone considerable expansion, which promptedthe need to improve other facilities, such as a newprimary school. A current development in the village isVinery Park, where Barratt is building three bedroomedterraced houses and four bedroomed detached housestyles ranging in price from £154,995 to £264,995.

To the east of Galashiels, situated at the foot of thelandmark peaks of the Eildon Hills, Melrose is a genteeltown with a much more tranquil vibe. The jewel in thispicturesque town are undoubtedly the magnificent rose-red ruins of the 12th century abbey, believed to be thefinal resting place of a casket containing the heart ofRobert the Bruce. A major historic attraction, the abbey is also the starting point for St Cuthbert’s Way, a 62-milecross border walk that ends in Holy Island, off thenorthwest coast of Northumberland.

Approximately a one-hour drive from Edinburgh, Melroseis best known for its traditional stone-built houses,however buyers now have the opportunity to choose fromboth ends of the spectrum; a traditional setting withVictorian architecture and modern new build properties.

Another development in Melrose that has been extremelypopular and is almost sold out is Quarrydene. Situated justoff Ormiston Terrace, within walking distance of towncentre shops and other amenities, local family builderJ.S. Crawford has only one, three bedroom semi-detached Callum house type with single garage stillfor sale at a fixed price of £205,000.

Currently under construction and due to be completed byDecember, this could be an ideal Christmas present forsomeone!

J.S. Crawford also has another very highly desirabledevelopment nearby at Monkswood in Gattonside, a verypretty village across the river from Melrose and within easyreach of Galashiels.

This south-facing site has glorious views across the Tweedto the Eildon hills, and as this is predominantly a designand build site, buyers can have a say in the design andinternal specification of their home. Each of the four andfive bedroomed properties is a one-off project designed to meet the needs of their new owners. Prices start from£354,000 for a spacious four bedroom detached villa withgarage.

Within easy reach of Melrose, the picturesque village ofLilliesleaf offers a rural lifestyle at a more relaxing pacewhile still being close to essential amenities.

Here, local builder Murray & Burrell offers a rareopportunity – a choice of five individual and very differenthouse types built on the plot of your choice, with theadded bonus of being able to either rent or purchase anadditional paddock adjoining your plot. Plot prices startfrom £70,000 and houses range from £178,000 to£251,500.

Closer to Edinburgh, towns and villages like Earlston,Lauder and Stow have been similarly expanding to meetincreased demand from commuters. Just 28 miles fromEdinburgh and seven miles from Galashiels, the villageof Stow has many buildings of character and interest,including the ruined Old Kirk and Town Hall.

In contrast, it also has modern developments, one ofthe most recent being the now sold Richmond Homes’site at Stagehall, which has added another 28 detachedproperties to the village. Stow is likely to undergo furtherexpansion in the not too distant future as the village isscheduled to have a railway station on the proposedWaverley railway line.

Apart from being convenient for commuting to thecapital, Earlston’s desirability has been further enhancedby a long-awaited new state-of-the-art high school.

This popular town also has a good range of localamenities and offers a variety of house styles, from traditional through to modern, the latter mostnotably being The Old Sawmill in Earlston, a uniquedevelopment of 24 detached three, four and fivebedroom houses by ARB Developments on the site ofthe first sawmill erected in 1859. With the last remainingshowhouse currently under negotiation, phase 1 of thisoutstanding development is completely - and deservedly- sold out. For details of phase 2 please telephone thesales team on 01896 822796.

Being right in the centre of Borders Region,Galashiels and the surrounding towns and villageshave the hallmarks of a great lifestyle location- facilities, housing, transport and leisure amenities - to appeal to every age group, from first timebuyers and students at Heriot-Watt University, tofamilies, commuters and the elderly.

Riverside Walk, Dryburgh Earlston

Bannerman Burke (BB)72 Bank Street, Galashiels, TD1 1EL Tel. 01896 750350 Fax. 01896 750360Email. galashiels@bannermanburke.co.ukWebsite. www.bannermanburke.co.uk

Collie & Co (COL)70 High Street, Galashiels, TD1 1SQTel. 01896 755466 Fax. 01896 661036 Email.property@collieandco.comWebsite. www.collieandco.com

Cullen Kilshaw (CK)27 Market Street, Galashiels, TD1 3AF Tel. 01896 758311 Fax. 01896 758112 Email. gala@cullenkilshaw.com

7 Market Square, Melrose, TD6 9PQ Tel. 01896 822796 Fax. 01896 823465 Email. melrose@cullenkilshaw.com

Royal Bank Chambers, Melrose, TD6 9PE Tel. 01896 822177 Fax. 01896 824488 Email. jc@cullenkilshaw.comWebsite: www.cullenkilshaw.com

Edingtons W.S. (ED)88-90 High Street, Galashiels, TD1 1SQTel. 01896 756161 Fax. 01896 751919Email. info@edingtonlaw.co.ukWebsite: www.edingtonlaw.co.uk

Iain Smith & Partners W.S. (ISP)Bank Close, Galashiels, TD1 1BG Tel. 01896 663410 Fax. 01896 754469 Email. property@iainsmith.co.ukWebsite. www.iainsmith.co.uk

Pike & Chapman (PC)36 Bank Street, Galashiels, TD1 1ER Tel. 01896 752379 Fax. 01896 754439Email. property@pikeandchapman.co.uk

On the outskirts of Melrose, Rivertree Developmentsoffers a superb choice of property styles and sizes withina beautiful 20-acre setting that includes landscapedgardens and woodland. Ideal first or second homes,there are only two Insula Apartments still for sale, pricedat £130,000.

The same development now only has one of the largerthree bedroomed semi-detached houses left, priced at£169,995. Situated in a former orchard, away from roadsand looking across to the Eildon hills, these are idealhomes for families with children.

Last but not least, Harleyburn Court is a prestigiousoption comprising just seven large five bedroomdetached executive properties with panoramic viewsover the valley to Leaderfoot and Gattonside, of whichfive remain, ranging in price from £380,000 to £400,000.

LOCAL BSPCMEMBER FIRMS

www.bspc.co.uk

Dryburgh Abbey

Clovenfords

Tweedbank

River Tweed overlooking Melrose and the Eildon Hills

Thirlestane Castle, Lauder High Street, Lauder Town Hall, Stow

Images courtesy of Visit Scotland Borders, Digital Image & Scottish Viewpoint: www.scottishviewpoint.com