The first of my three building projects was actually a major renovation of a disused corn mill at Macksmill in the Scottish Borders. The planning application was submitted in 2001 and the work completed in 2004. The garden took a little longer!
In 2013 I undertook a more traditional self-build about 8 miles away in the small village of Stichill. After retiring in 2015, I started the latest self-build project at Kaimflat, just outside Ednam near Kelso.
I have provided some further detail below, including a before and after photo for each of the projects.
Macksmill
The building at Macksmill was a corn mill believed to have been originally built in the 17th century. It sits in about an acre of ground, bounded on the south side by the Eden Water which is a tributary of the river Tweed.
The renovation works started in 2003. Much of the roof had to be replaced and some of the side walls needing repairing due to the effects of rainwater over the years. Essentially a new studwork frame had to be built inside the three storey structure with the required door and window openings.
The building works completed in about 12 months. It took a further two years to get the garden fully landscaped, the centrepiece being a pond measuring up to 30m wide. The pond is fed by underwater springs.
Stichill
The plot of land in the small village of Stichill is about 1/3rd of an acre in size. The ground was previously part of the garden of the lodge house that sits at the entrance to the former Stichill estate.
Following the removal and pruning of several trees, the building works commenced in 2015. The house is a 4 bedroom timber frame property with a natural slate roof. Heating is provided by a ground source heat pump which uses two 90m boreholes within the garden. Solar thermal panels on the south facing roof supplement the hot water supply.
The house with external decking to the rear and a detached garage to the front, was finished in 13 months. The secluded back garden was laid to grass with flower borders to blend into the wider mature setting.
Kaimflat
The building plot initially formed part of a farm steading at Kaimflat just outside Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Measuring about 0.8 of an acre on a sloping site, the plot enjoys significant views over the Tweed valley.
The development of the site started in 2018. The building is a 4 bedroom ‘upside down’ house, taking advantage of the views to the south-west. There is an integral garage with a driveway to allow parking at both front and rear entrances. The house is highly insulated with a ground source heat pump and solar PV panels.
The building work took around 12 months. Much of the garden was sown to grass with a native hedge planted around the boundary. Some additional trees were planted to provide a degree of shelter from the prevailing winds.
