Page 10 BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY

It always says a lot when people have lived in a housefor many years – 36 years in the case of Rennie andJune Thomson, who bought their beautiful countryhome in the village of Cavers, four miles east ofHawick, from the builder who converted the formercartshed, granary store and sawmill buildings in 1975.

One Millcourt is a unique property that also includesequestrian facilities – a stable block comprising threeloose boxes, hay shed, feed store and a paddock.

And not only did the Thomsons raise three childrenhere, they also trained National Hunt and Point toPoint race horses and have had an amazing 18winners in the process.

Various improvements have been made to theproperty over the years. “The main sitting room wasoriginally two public rooms,” explains Rennie. “Wetook down the dividing wall and opened it up to makeone large room with a feature fireplace and patiodoors opening on to the front garden – now mainlylawn although originally it was a courtyard.”

The couple also created a fourth bedroom with ensuite bathroom above the integral double garage –and as recently as a few months ago replaced thebathroom suite in the main bathroom.

The elongated two-storey layout is ideal for family living,with a hall, cloakroom, amazing 32ft sitting room,country-style dining kitchen, utility and back porch.

Upstairs are two bedrooms, main family bathroom withbath and separate shower, a study (could also be anursery or dressing room) and a hall fitted with built-inwardrobes that leads to bedrooms three and four, thelatter with en suite bathroom.

While this home has numerous features that merithighlighting – the beautiful arched windows and redsandstone facade being a notable attraction, alongwith unobstructed views of the Eildon Hills andRuberslaw – the room with the most wow factoris undoubtedly the huge sitting room.

A charming one-off country home near Hawick

“And not only did the Thomsons raise three children here, they alsotrained National Hunt and Point to Point race horses and have hadan amazing 18 winners in the process.”

BSPC FEATURE PROPERTY Page 11

1 Mil lcourt , Hawick, TD9 8LN

In Region of £390,000

Details on page 9

Millcourt is a ‘forever’ kind of family home in a lovelyrural setting, yet only a few miles from schools andother facilities in Hawick – arguably the best of bothworlds.

The name ‘Cavers’ means ‘enclosure’ and the hamletcan be traced back to 1314, when Robert the Brucerewarded Sir James Douglas with lands spread acrossScotland, including Cavers.

It remained in Douglas hands until as recently as 1975,when James Palmer-Douglas moved away from thearea and the remaining lands of the once vast estatesin Roxburghshire were put on the market.

This spacious room has a brick fireplace incorporatinga raised open fire, tongue and groove ceiling, two largearched windows and patio doors.

The dining kitchen is similarly striking, with a beamedceiling, tiled floor and splashbacks, wooden wall andfloor units and appliances, which include an integratedelectric oven, extractor, hob, microwave and dishwasher– a shelved walk-in pantry currently houses the fridgefreezer. The utility room is also well equipped andincludes space for laundry appliances and a Belfast sink.

In addition, two of the bedrooms have built-in storage/ wardrobes – storage is also built into the upstairslanding and hall.

Outside, a shared driveway leads to a private parkingarea, stable block and paddock. There is also a doublegarage, and easily kept gardens – the front garden,although mainly grass, has an attractive paved areafor seating and patio furniture.

ideal for raising children – and champion horses