Wester Caerlee HouseCaerlee Estate, Peebles Road, Innerleithen, EH44 6QY

Wester Caerlee House is a substantial country home dating from the 1860s designed by the eminent Scottish architect David Bryce. The house sits in an elevated plot of about 2 acres and was formerly the family home of the well known local mill owning family, the Ballantynes. The accommodation is well presented throughout and is arranged over two floors, with many of the rooms benefitting from wonderful views over the glorious Borders countryside. The property is rich in fine period features including ornate cornicing, wood panelling, grand fireplaces, working shutters and original doors.

The house is entered through the recently erected orangery which was installed by Mozolowski & Murray. Whilst acting as an entrance it is also a lovely place to sit with views over the garden. Linking with the orangery is the music room which was once the billiard room. It has a vaulted ceiling and to one end an impressive fireplace with decorative tiles and wood panelled surround.

The drawing room is a fantastic space with two large south facing windows overlooking the garden. At one end is a large fireplace with wood burning stove and there is a door to a back hallway with a guest cloakroom. Sitting centrally within the house is a spacious hallway where the stairs to the first floor are located as well as ample storage on two walls. The kitchen is also off the main hall and is fitted with a range of traditionally styled units with a granite worktop. There is a central island with breakfast bar and Siemens induction hob with Neff extractor fan above. In addition there is also a three oven AGA in Duck Egg Blue, Neff microwave, Bosch fridge and Bosch dishwasher. A dining room is located next to the kitchen. There is a utility room on the other side of the kitchen where there is plumbing for a washing machine and a unit with integrated sink. There are doors to the garden and also a door into the workshop.

There are six bedrooms on the first floor, two of which are flexible spaces and could be utilised as a home office or dressing room. The principal bedroom is located on the southwest corner of the house and is double aspect. It has an en suite bathroom and wonderful views across the countryside. There are a further two bedrooms on the south side of the house and three bedrooms which overlook the back garden and woodland. There is a family bathroom and an adjacent family shower room serving the five bedrooms.

There is a large attic accessed by a spiral stair off the main hallway. The attic is floored, has windows, electrical points and lighting.

The gardens which surround Wester Caerlee extend to about 2 acres and are full of mature trees and shrubs and well kept, colourful borders. Immediately outside the orangery is a terrace and lawn which faces south and is sheltered on one side by a hedge. A stone wall wraps around the lower part of the garden where there is the old driveway which provides a shorter route to the village by foot. There is a range of mature plants and shrubs here which provide colour throughout the year.

The upper garden faces south but gently slopes to the north. There is a vast array of trees including a Japanese maple, larch, birch, Scots pine and yew which provide a rich habitat for wildlife. In addition there is a walled garden to the west of the house where there are raised beds and fruit trees including cherry, pear and plum. The driveway approaches the house from the west and passes a recently erected oak framed garage and there is parking by the house for several vehicles. Set into the wall which flanks the driveway is a an old well which is framed by a stone archway with 'Ave St Mungo' inscribed on it.

Further outbuildings include the old wash house where there are three separate store rooms.

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