Welcome to the good life in Ettrick and Yarrow

Tony Perriam, Managing Partner of Retties in the Borders says rural homes’ values are still down on the high before the recession whereas city prices have largely recovered meaning now is a good time to make the move from urban to rural living. “The country homes market is usually the last property category to recover but it does mean that moving here, particularly out of the city is much more affordable at the moment. Prices in Ettrick and Yarrow are still softer than in larger towns and cities.”

The opening of the Borders railway and the connection of new fibre optic broadband, both slated for the area for this year, also makes getting to Edinburgh and home working from here much more viable. The capital is about an hour and a quarter away.

Perriam says “Most people living in these valleys don’t travel in to the city every day,  but many have changing working patterns - they work from home but are required to be in the office two days a week for example or their work involves travelling further afield.” He says that the Ettrick valley in particular is also very accessible from England allowing commuting South too.

Perriam believes that the main attractions of the two valleys for house hunters moving in to the area is that they are reasonably easy to get to, but retain the feeling of remoteness and privacy. “There is something of a Highland character here and many people are drawn to their own version of The Good Life, whether that is growing a few vegetables, keeping animals or going for full self sufficiency with power and heating. It is also a great area to bring up a family with good local schools.”

The figures do add up; for the price of a two bedroom flat in Edinburgh, a move here would buy a much bigger property with a decent amount of land, some spectacular views and, perhaps most importantly, a life of privacy and tranquility.

If you are stressed in the city, these properties might tempt you to make the move.

Hartfell, in the Yarrow valley is a stunning contemporary property, designed to make the most of the far reaching panoramic views to the front across the river Yarrow and to the surrounding rolling countryside beyond. It has four bedrooms and some lovely features such as the double height sitting room and an expansive family dining kitchen. It is ten miles south of Selkirk, a short distance from St Mary’s Loch with its sailing club and fishing, as well as local inn. Yarrow Primary School is well regarded and is within a mile of the property.

Offers over £375,000, contact Hastings and Co on 01573 225 999.

Jeansburn House, Ettrickbridge has a great layout, with a galleried horseshoe shaped hallway looking down to the living room, a large kitchen/dining room, utility room, three bedrooms, and a bathroom. On the lower ground floor is a further sitting room with an adjoining conservatory and garden store. The grounds measure half an acres with outbuildings and a garage, an orchard, greenhouse and chicken coop. Ettrickbridge is the biggest village in the two valleys and the house is within walking distance of a pretty village pub.

Offers over £270,000, contact Rettie and Co on 01896 555010.

Glenkerry, Ettrick Valley is an original farmhouse and steading which is a substantial country home full of charm and character. It sits in just over one acre of ground, including a picturesque burn meandering along the boundary. It has a sitting room, study, family room/library, dining room, dining kitchen with pantry, five bedrooms and three bath or shower rooms. The grounds include a burn, lawns, a patio, large driveway, log store with adjoining workshops, greenhouse, timber shed, and a wooded area planted with young fir trees.

Offers over £365,000, contact Rettie and Co on 01896 555010.

Yarrowbraes, Broadmeadows Farm Steading, Yarrowford is a spacious steading conversion with some lovely features such as a spiral staircase and French doors in the lounge. A large detached barn and a good sized area of additional land also offer the new owner potential for development.

It has a lounge, dining kitchen with utility room, three bedrooms and a shower room.

Guide price £237,500, contact Cullen Kilshaw on 01750 23868.