Howford Hill Cottage enjoys a unique, isolated and private setting whilst only 40 miles from Edinburgh city bypass. It lies in a remote location up a farm track, just over one mile east of the lovely village of Ettrickbridge. The site is bordered by farmland forming part of Bowhill Estate and the surrounding countryside of the Ettrick Valley is noted for its scenic beauty. No residential property or road can be seen or heard, providing a true escape from city life.

 

Consent has been granted to replace Howford Hill Cottage with an architecturally designed, environmentally friendly cottage constructed in a prefabricated manner. The off-grid property will be built to an extremely high standard and will make use of the latest renewable technologies and materials. For electricity, making use of its south facing aspect, the proposal is to use solar roof tiles or equivalent that mimics the appearance of natural slate whilst providing an efficient energy source. An alternative would be solar panels or the use of a small wind turbine. For heating, the installation of a ground source heat pump along with a wood burning stove will be implemented.

 

This dual pitched, single storey, detached cottage will offer a flexible layout with proposed accommodation comprising an open plan kitchen-living room, two double bedrooms each with en suite facilities and a boot/utility room. Full height glass windows and doors throughout the cottage will allow sunlight to flood through the property and the scenery to be enjoyed from every room. A detached artist’s studio/office space is also included in the plans with a plant room for the off-grid equipment and space for an additional bedroom/bathroom.

 

The artist’s studio was specifically incorporated as a creative space which could be used for a multitude of purposes, from yoga to meditation to a gym and again has been designed to make the most of the stunning views. Alternatively, it could offer a great work from home study, separate from the rest of the accommodation.

 

Polly Cregan, handling the sale for Galbraith, said: “It’s extremely rare for an existing dwelling to come on the open market with full planning consent for its demolition and the creation of a pre-fabrciated, modern building on the existing site.

 

“With planning in place this takes the pressure off potential parties interested in the sale who may otherwise have been put off. The location commands superb views over the Southern Uplands offering tranquillity whilst being only a short distance away from the capital. We expect this sale to generate a lot of interest, especially from lifestyle buyers with the environment at heart.”

 

The grounds at Howford Hill Cottage were previously laid out with sheep handling equipment of which there is still evidence of wooden post and rail fencing. However, the grounds provide a blank canvass to create a south facing garden with traditional stone wall and would be the perfect location to incorporate an outdoor kitchen.

 

The village of Ettrickbridge has a useful range of local amenities including an inn, church, village hall and primary school. A wider range of amenities, including small supermarkets and a well regarded secondary school is available in Selkirk, a mere seven miles away and Tweedbank railway station, 13 miles away offers regular services to Edinburgh with less than an hour’s journey time.

 

Howford Hill Cottage located in the Ettrick Valley in Selkirk, Scottish Borders is for sale through Galbraith at guide price £150,000.