THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY Page 13

A B-listed former church near Hawick has been saved for

future generations – and become a unique family home

Last used as a church in 1822, it has takenquite a while for Cavers Kirk to be given a new lease of life on a permanent basis,having been used in recent years as avillage hall and Sunday School, then latterlyas a hay loft. Had Trevor and Pauline Kellynot bought it, having seen its potential as ahome with a difference, the B-listed formerchurch would undoubtedly have been lost.

“It was in a very dilapidated state when webought it a year ago,” says Trevor. “It wasalready on the Buildings at Risk register and if we had left it any longer it would likely have fallen down. We liked the rurallocation, just over three miles from Hawickoff the road to Bonchester Bridge, and asmy brother is a builder and I’ve also gotbuilding experience, it seemed a timelyopportunity to save a historic building.”

Interestingly, Trevor and Pauline alsoown the graveyard, although not the actualgraves, most of which are now very ancient.Being listed meant that they also had to obtain listed building consent as well as planning permission. But when theconversion did eventually get underway, theold church rose like a phoenix to becomea wonderful and very cleverly conceivedfamily home.

There are three double bedrooms – themain and second bedrooms have solidwood flooring and share a Jack-and-Jill-style shower room with a corner showerand built-in vanity storage. Bedroom threeis carpeted and overlooks the front of theproperty, and there’s a very spacious 12ftfamily bathroom with arched windows.

Upstairs above the living area is amezzanine ‘snug’, off which is a fullyfloored 29ft walk-in attic space – currentlyused for storage but offering a numberof other potential uses.

Adjoining the house but with its ownentrance is another unexpected space– a large studio/workshop complete withwood-burning stove and work bench.There’s also a toilet/washroom and flooredstorage above reached by way of a ladderat present. The newly constructed doublegarage also has floored rafter storage and there are a number of additionaloutbuildings including a woodstore. . .

The property occupies around 1.25 acresof ground laid mainly to grass withflowerbeds and gravelled driveway – thewoodland surrounding the house isprotected by a tree preservation order.

‘Rustic’ is how Trevor describes the interior,which includes quality features such as solidwood flooring and natural wood doors,facings and skirtings. A 28ft long hall, witharched windows and deep sills, givesaccess to all the rooms – star of which isa stunning 34ft living area with arched andcircular windows, an arched wall, and aspiral staircase leading to a mezzaninesitting area and walk-in attic space.

Aside from the amazing architectural detailsand double-height ceiling, the living areaalso has a wood burning stove on a slatehearth, solid wood floor, and wrought ironlight fittings fitted with church-style candlebulbs.

The kitchen is fitted with understated white,Shaker-style base and wall units withcontrasting black marble-effect worktops,Belfast sink, tiled splashbacks, and asolid-fuel Rayburn. Other features includea breakfast bar, concealed lighting, andintegrated electric hob with overheadextractor and built-in oven and grill,dishwasher and large fridge. An adjoiningutility is plumbed for laundry appliances andhouses the back door to the garden, whilea useful boot room includes a walk-inpantry.

Cavers is a one-off property withcharacter in spades – but also with theassurance of having been renovatedto the highest standard, includingelectrical work, new timbers and roofslates, solid fuel central heating, andrenewed windows with double glazedhardwood frames and thermallyefficient K glass.

Cavers Auld Kirk CaversHawick

Guide Price £249,995

Details on page 35