The Herald - The Herald Magazine
(UNIQUE) OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK
SMAILHOLM Church presents an almost unbelievable opportunity to buy a B-listed former kirk steeped in history and thought to date back to the 12th Century. Moreover, the church is being sold with most of its original contents intact, including a pipe organ and famous stained-glass window.
Situated within the picturesque village of Smailholm in the Scottish Borders, the setting is rural yet easily accessible, only six miles from Kelso and equally convenient for Melrose, Galashiels, and the railway station at Tweedbank on the Waverley line into the centre of Edinburgh.
But what makes this former kirk such a rarity is the interior, which features pews, pulpit, timber vaulted roof, wood panelling, stone arches, the pipe organ – and a stained-glass window installed in 1907 to commemorate Sir Walter Scott -- a regular visitor to the church as a boy.
The building also has vehicle access, private parking, driveway, mains electricity, oil-fired central heating, and nearby access to other services.
Smailholm Kirk avoided demolition after the
Reformation and parts of an early Norman structure can still be seen in the chancel. The present church underwent major renovations and renewals in the 17th century to create a gallery or Laird’s Loft as it was known to keep the landowner and his family separate from the other parishioners, along with a belfry for the existing Dutch church bell, made by Michael Burgenbuys and inscribed ‘Smellum 1647’. Another historical snippet, Captain Cook’s mother was born in Smailholm and married his father in Smailholm Church.
The Romanesque-style building now presents a unique development opportunity with generous internal accommodation and existing drawings for sympathetic conversion, for which planning is likely to be viewed favourably.
It may also be possible to purchase additional land. Offers over £145,000 are invited by Hastings Legal in Kelso.