0:00:02 > 0:00:04HE PLAYS
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Hello, and welcome to a bonnie Escape to the Country, which today,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10as you've probably guessed, comes from Scotland.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Now, stereotypes aside, there is a reason why I'm playing the bagpipes today.
0:00:14 > 0:00:20I'm in a county which was once an area where Scottish troops marched against the English
0:00:20 > 0:00:22whilst playing these atmospheric instruments.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24So can you guess where I am?
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Keep watching. All will be revealed.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28SHE PLAYS
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Cut! Excuse me.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33You're supposed to wait till I'm ready.
0:00:33 > 0:00:39- When I go like that, people at home will think I'm playing the bagpipes. All right?- Got you.- Let's go for it.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42SHE PLAYS
0:00:53 > 0:00:58Today, we'll be helping a couple escape the suburbs for some Scottish country living.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- Ooh!- You could have a medieval banquet in here!
0:01:01 > 0:01:04But will seeing be believing?
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- You're a bit red.- That shocked me!
0:01:07 > 0:01:11And will they take the plunge with today's mystery house?
0:01:11 > 0:01:13See, I'm seeing you in that bath, Jan.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14Er, no, you're not, Aled.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Today I'm in the Scottish Borders, a lowland county filled with beauty and history.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25It was across this very landscape
0:01:25 > 0:01:29that England and Scotland's battles took place throughout those centuries.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And so powerful were the bagpipes in spurring the Scots into action
0:01:33 > 0:01:37that it's the only musical instrument that's ever been banned as a weapon of war.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39Mind you, it SHOULD be banned, the way I play it.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44But away from the fighting, this area of Scotland is now more sedate and prosperous,
0:01:44 > 0:01:50enticing people from both sides of Hadrian's Wall to come and find their wee bit of heaven.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56With Northumberland to the south, and Glasgow and Edinburgh to the north,
0:01:56 > 0:02:03the Scottish Borders take in around 1,800 square miles of unspoilt countryside -
0:02:03 > 0:02:07from the hills and the moorlands in the west to the agricultural plains in the east.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12But at the heart of the Borders is the mighty River Tweed.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Running for 97 miles, it's ranked as one of the best salmon-fishing rivers in the world.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Historic market towns have flourished on its banks,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23whilst its tributaries branch out into the expansive countryside.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27And it's along these shores you'll find pretty villages and hamlets
0:02:27 > 0:02:31with a vast array of period property on offer.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35As yet, home buyers escaping city life haven't headed here in their droves.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39And in a recent poll, it was voted the third-best rural region to live in Scotland.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49They used to say the further north you travelled, the cheaper the property got,
0:02:49 > 0:02:55but the days of absolute bargains, acres and acres of land for pennies, are well and truly over.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58But up here, you still do get value for money.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01A typical house will have a bigger garden, therefore more land,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04and inside, the rooms will be larger and there'll be more of them.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09Well, a detached house in Scotland will set you back around £240,000.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10If you want to be in the Borders,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13then you can expect to shell out about six percent more.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17So grab your sporrans and your kilts - here's what's currently on the market
0:03:17 > 0:03:21in and around the county for a variety of budgets.
0:03:21 > 0:03:27If you fancy being Laird of the Manor and have in excess of £925,000, then you could be,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31with this very grand seven-bedroom Victorian property near Jedburgh.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37Originally the home of a local sausage magnate, the house has "meaty" proportions,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41with no less than three reception rooms and exquisite period detailing.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45And if it's the outdoor life you're after, how does twelve acres sound?
0:03:48 > 0:03:53For the slightly more modest sum of £695,000,
0:03:53 > 0:03:58you won't have to downsize with this six-bedroom eighteenth-century farmhouse near Kelso.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Inside, the property has character features galore
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and outside comes complete with a three-bedroomed lodge,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08generous grounds and stunning views over the Teviot Valley.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15If you'd prefer vistas of the Cheviot hills,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18how about this five-bedroom Georgian house near Berwick-on-Tweed?
0:04:18 > 0:04:21On the market for £415,000,
0:04:21 > 0:04:27it's been extensively renovated and extended to provide both very modern and very period living
0:04:27 > 0:04:30with plenty of space for all the family.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37There's more wheat than chaff here, that's for certain,
0:04:37 > 0:04:42so let's meet our escapees, who are eager to bound over that border.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Today's couple, Barry and Jan, met seven years ago whilst working for the railway.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53They tied the knot in 2004. But with retirement on the horizon,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56they've decided to swap their four-bedroom house in a Yorkshire village
0:04:56 > 0:04:58for the good life in Scotland.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We would love to live in a larger place.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07We just haven't got the scope here any more to do any more to this property.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12We have got three dogs, and they are an integral part of us.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13We would like more land.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18I'd like chickens, bees and fruit trees.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23We would like somewhere where Barry can raise his waterfowl.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Yeah, naturally fed ponds would be a big plus, obviously, for the waterfowl aspect
0:05:27 > 0:05:29and it'd make the ambience nicer, too.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Well, plenty of outdoor space is a fairly usual request, but ponds?
0:05:34 > 0:05:39That's specific. So no wonder, in eighteen months of looking for their dream home in the Borders,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Barry and Jan have come up empty-handed.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44There's no half-measures.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49It's got to be perfect, because it is going to be the last move we make.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53It might be their last move, but it's also their first property purchase together,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55so the pressure is on.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59But what does Barry and Jan's perfect house actually look like?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02This house was built in around about 1962.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Although it's rather nice, it hasn't got a lot of character.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10The next property, I would like to have with a few more features.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15Three double bedrooms will be essential in the new property, because I've got three children
0:06:15 > 0:06:20and my grandchildren and it's our intention for them to come and visit us regularly.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23I really like the size of this utility room.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25In the next property, I would like something similar.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28It's ideal for wet clothes and wet dogs.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33This is where they get fed, this is where they sleep, and it's just perfect.
0:06:33 > 0:06:39I would like, however, the potential to have a shower to clean the dogs after a dirty day out.
0:06:39 > 0:06:45The dogs are obviously going to be well catered for, but what about Barry and Jan's requirements?
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Actually, I'd quite like a separate dining room
0:06:47 > 0:06:53for Christmas and special holidays and a nice big kitchen with a range.
0:06:53 > 0:06:58But before they buy in the Borders, they need to know just how much they'll have to spend.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01So we've invited a local agent to come and value Barry's home.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06This is an excellent four-bedroom house with very good entertaining space in a popular commuter village.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11We would recommend a guide price in the region of £499,000.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I think the estate agent's valuation is fair.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18It's certainly in line with what we were expecting.
0:07:18 > 0:07:25Any less and we'd have to reconsider what we could afford to spend on the new property.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29But that being the case, we can go up to £600,000 on our new property.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36£600,000 is a healthy budget here in the Scottish Borders,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40especially as we're after a three-bedroom detached property
0:07:40 > 0:07:44and Jan wants enough space for her chickens and a room with a view.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47My only concern is with Barry.
0:07:47 > 0:07:53He wants not one, not two, not three, not four but five naturally-fed ponds.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55What's all that about?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57As frequent visitors to the Borders,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Barry and Jan know and love the countryside
0:08:00 > 0:08:02around the towns of Kelso, Hawick and Jedburgh,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05so that's where we'll be focussing our search.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07In today's show we'll be viewing three stunning houses
0:08:07 > 0:08:09with lots of land and watery features.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14But, as always, I won't be revealing the prices until Barry and Jan have had a good look around.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20And the last of the three - the mystery house - will really put their wish list to the test.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Jan, Barry, good to meet you. How are you?- Very well, thank you. And yourself?- I'm not bad.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Are you excited about this voyage of discovery?
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Very much so. We're very keen on the Scottish Borders, so it's going to be really great.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39You're beautifully co-ordinated. If only you were as co-ordinated in your property search,
0:08:39 > 0:08:46because I get the sense that you're after the house and you're after the five naturally-fed ponds.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- What's all that about, Barry? - Well, I've kept ducks in the past,
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- and it was a bit heavy going in a back garden, and I now want to do it properly.- Why five?!
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Unfortunately, ducks interbreed, so I will need to keep certain ones away from each other
0:08:58 > 0:09:03so they don't interbreed, cos the idea is for them to be returned to the natural habitat, the rarer ones,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and they've got to be perfect, genetically correct.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08So that's the piece behind it, really.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12But are we desperate for the five, or if we get you three, two...?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Well, you can always split ponds.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I'm sure we can be versatile in that respect.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Where there's a will, there's a way.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- Excellent. I'm glad you said that. Shall we get on with it? - I think we ought to.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27So, for their budget of £600,000, Barry and Jan want:
0:09:33 > 0:09:35So far, so simple.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37But finding Barry his five duck ponds
0:09:37 > 0:09:40could take us into choppy waters.
0:09:41 > 0:09:48- So, are you nervous or excited about this first property purchase together?- I'm very excited.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54I feel quite confident that we're going to find the ideal property in the Scottish Borders.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56I mean, just look at the scenery.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58We're kicking off today's property search
0:09:58 > 0:10:00in the Teviot Valley
0:10:00 > 0:10:03and countryside around the historic town of Hawick.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09Hawick started life as a small village in the 11th century but expanded rapidly in the 1700s
0:10:09 > 0:10:13with the explosion of the knitwear industry.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17There's a wealth of handsome Georgian and Victorian architecture to be found here,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and a recent £10 million regeneration scheme
0:10:20 > 0:10:24has breathed cultural, social and economic life back into the town.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Barry and Jan don't want to be right in the mix of it, though,
0:10:29 > 0:10:34so we've found them a property just a couple of miles away in a very rural setting.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's basically early 19th century.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42It was an old water mill and barn that's been fantastically converted and restored.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44So many quirky features in there.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49I'm just awestruck. It's everything and more that we're looking for.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53I mean, I just like the courtyard appearance. And is that a river?
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- It is, yeah, a little river running down there. - I feel potential for that!
0:10:57 > 0:11:00A big smile on your face. But let's go inside. Come on.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02'I'd like to say that's what you call a very good start.'
0:11:02 > 0:11:06They don't do better than that in Hollywood.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- Come on in!- Blimey!
0:11:10 > 0:11:12This is something else, isn't it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- So, this is your hallway. - This is only a hallway?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Yep.- This is superb!
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- Oh, yes.- I like the radiator. - That's a good radiator, isn't it?
0:11:24 > 0:11:25That looks really good.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27That's a feature.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32'Jan and Barry did ask for period features, and if there's one thing this old water mill isn't short of,
0:11:32 > 0:11:33'it's character.'
0:11:33 > 0:11:36What do you think of this room?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Amazing!- Crikey!
0:11:38 > 0:11:40The beams are fantastic.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Look at that! - 17th-century beams.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Good grief! - A little minstrels' gallery.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Yeah, you've got your Juliet gallery there and also the exposed brickwork.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- That is nice.- Wind stone.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56That is nice. That is really nice. And look at that, onto a... Is that a courtyard?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58It is. Your very own little courtyard.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00It's a very Mediterranean feel.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Can you imagine yourself, then, using this living room?
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- Certainly can, yeah.- I can imagine the pair of us sat on here with two of the dogs on the actual settee
0:12:08 > 0:12:09and the other one at our feet.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Yes, I'm sure they'll be at home, very much.- Oh, yeah. Yes, it's nice.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17It's cosy and yet it's big enough.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19It's nice. It's a lovely size.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- Let's hope you're saying that about the kitchen.- Oh, right! - Let's go and have a look, please.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'Well, I'm not sure I'd describe this room as "cosy".
0:12:26 > 0:12:28'The kitchen, on the other hand, I probably would.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31'But it's got a lot of character to make up for its size.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34'And it has Jan's separate utility room.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Ooh! I like this!
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Sit here and have your breakfast...
0:12:41 > 0:12:45It seems so cosy and warm. Very nice.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- The range is a big plus, because Jan's very keen to have a range. - Yes.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52It's smaller than our current kitchen by quite a bit, but it fits in.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It's ideal for this type of house.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59Well, if you thought the kitchen was maybe on the small side,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02you won't be saying that when you see this room.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Cor, this is grandiose!
0:13:10 > 0:13:13You could have a medieval banquet in here!
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I'm speechless. I am speechless.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And that's unusual.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Let's go and have a look at that courtyard.- Let's do that.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Well!
0:13:31 > 0:13:34It even looks Mediterranean.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Look at the sort of finish on the walls.- Yeah.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- I mean, you could imagine a grapevine in here, couldn't you?- Absolutely.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- It really is, it's gorgeous.- Well, you know where we're going now.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48- Upstairs, I hope.- The boudoirs.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Do you know what? You're so bright! Come on, follow me.- OK.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56'I think that's a definitive thumbs-up to the ground floor.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'Let's see if upstairs will prove just as breathtaking.'
0:13:59 > 0:14:00Oh, this is lovely.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Here on the landing.- Beautiful.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05And a bathroom.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Come on in.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Wow! This is a bathroom?
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- Aye.- Roll-top bath.- Fantastic.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Original, as well, Victorian. - Fantastic!
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Follow me.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19So, we've got another little room in here. Have a quick peek.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Oh, that's nice. Light, airy.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- And functional.- Like that.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29And this is your master bedroom.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- Wow.- Well! Look at this! Look at this! Look at the size!
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Lovely view.- Yeah, I love that view.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Beautiful view of the Teviot.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41In fact, I'd probably have to have the bed that way,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43so that, when I wake up, I can see that view.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- OK. Well, there's nothing to stop you doing that.- I know!
0:14:46 > 0:14:50There's certainly plenty of room. You could have that bed at any angle.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52You could. It's gorgeous.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57In fact, you could have this as your own private wing.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Use a small bedroom as a dressing room.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04'That won't be a problem, as on the other side of the house - accessed by a separate staircase -
0:15:04 > 0:15:06'are two further double bedrooms.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11'But there's a lot more to Jan and Barry's dream house than bricks and mortar.'
0:15:11 > 0:15:17'The outside space is just as important, so I'm hoping two acres will be enough.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22So this is just one plot of land that comes with the property.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Lovely.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I dunno how you feel about becoming self-sufficient?
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Moving to the country, growing your own vegetables, all that sort of business?
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Certainly would. Looks to me like there's a vegetable plot over there.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Plenty of room for fruit trees...
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Bees... You want bees?
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Certainly... Oh, well, it's a bee paradise. Look at it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Let's take you down to the river.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- Very good.- Yes please. - Don't get too excited, now.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- You can't get too excited near a river. - I think you're gonna like this.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56'This property may not come with five ponds but the garden does have its own river running through it.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00'The question is, can Barry make that work for him?'
0:16:00 > 0:16:02So, as you said, this was your domain.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04I certainly did.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06You've got the River Teviot there.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08That's right. And although it's not pond or ponds, there's...
0:16:08 > 0:16:12flexibility there to have pond or ponds.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16How many pounds to buy the property, do you reckon?
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Now, I'll hazard a guess.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22I think it's at the top of our budget, personally.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27It's a beautiful house and it's restored with love.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32This river frontage, the land that goes with it...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I would say around about...
0:16:35 > 0:16:39640,000.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40640,000, OK.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Well, I'm gonna go for 595.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46That was the figure that sprung into my head. So...
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- Let's see who's the closest.- Oh!
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Neither of you are close, to be honest with you.- Oh, no.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56It's currently on the market for £445,000.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- You are joking?!- Well, you better not tell the vendor what we...!
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- That has really... Honestly, I'm not joking...- You've gone a bit red.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06That has shocked me.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I think that is... That is...
0:17:08 > 0:17:12And I consider myself shrewd.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13Can we go and have another look?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- I think you should go and have another look.- Smashing. - Perfect.- Off you go.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Well, you can't ask for better reactions than that, can you?
0:17:20 > 0:17:27At offers over £445,000, this could be a gobsmacking £155,000 under budget.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30It meets nearly all of Jan and Barry's criteria...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38They get a banqueting hall for a dining room,
0:17:38 > 0:17:39and with two acres,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41it has plenty of outside space.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I thought the lack of ponds might be a problem,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45but Barry seems happy with the river -
0:17:45 > 0:17:46so who am I to judge?
0:17:48 > 0:17:51It was lovely. There's no two ways about it.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54I like the exposed brickwork, love the beams.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57There's not a pond here, but it's not the end of the world. Listen.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01The only drawback for you would be the fact that this is a little on the small side?
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I don't think it's a major problem.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10When Aled told us the price of this house, I was absolutely floored.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16The house is quirky, it's beautiful and we could certainly be happy here.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Ah, you're back!- We certainly are.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- Nice location, isn't it?- Beautiful.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Don't bother showing us any more.
0:18:24 > 0:18:30- Just crack open the bubbly, we'll sit here and take in this gorgeous view.- Do you know what?
0:18:30 > 0:18:35As tempting as that sounds, I've got plenty more to show you. I'm going to show you the other properties.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37You might like them even more, you never know.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Come on, I'll lead the way.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Out of all the UK's countries,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54I think it's fair to say Scotland has the strongest cultural identity -
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and that's coming from a Welshman!
0:18:56 > 0:19:01Think tartan, think whisky, think kilts, but there's nothing more iconic than the bagpipes.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05And since Barry and Jan are so keen to get involved in the culture of their new home,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10we've come to Floors Castle to meet championship piper Louise Marshall Millington
0:19:10 > 0:19:12to get to grips with this ancient instrument.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Pleased to meet you. Hi there.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Listen, tell us a bit about the history. Scotland and bagpipes, what's it all about?
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Pipes have been played for hundreds of years here.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Scottish people are so proud to play pipes. Part of our heritage, part of our culture.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Played in the armies, Gordon, Highlanders, for years and years.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29It's just part of our tradition, really.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34Well it's going to sound pretty awful when we have a go, but I think we should probably go for it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- OK. Right, here we go. Your first ever practice chanter.- Thank you.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41'It's on the chanter that you play the melody of the music, with a range of nine notes.'
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- Reckon you'll get nine notes out of us? You'll be lucky to get one! - You absolutely can.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49So, first of all, low G, that's all of the holes covered. Are we ready?
0:19:51 > 0:19:57'The stirring sound of the pipes may be quintessentially Scottish, but their origins are far from it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00'The first records date from Asia in 1000 BC.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04'By the first century AD they were found in countries from India to England.'
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Why are you two so good at it?!
0:20:07 > 0:20:10I'm supposed to be a musician!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Once you can play five or six tunes on the chanter, it's time to move onto the pipes.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17That's another ball game. Would you like me to show you?
0:20:17 > 0:20:18Yeah, OK.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22'It's the pipes that produce the bellowing background noise which is called the drone.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24'And in our case, I think it really will be.'
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Barry's the man.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28You put the pipes on the shoulder, OK?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30You're going to blow into the blow stick, here.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34OK? Now use this hand to squeeze the bag and push it underneath your...
0:20:34 > 0:20:36If you take this hand off...
0:20:36 > 0:20:40OK, just push it up a bit.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45I think he's holding on with his life, there. Fantastic.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I think a big hand for Barry.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Well done. - I don't know the tune, though.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53'When played properly, there are two types of bagpipe music -
0:20:53 > 0:20:56'military marches, which were used to scare off the enemy -
0:20:56 > 0:20:59'which, by the sounds Barry's making, he's quite good at -
0:20:59 > 0:21:03'and the classical piobaireachd, which predates any known piano compositions.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07'But I think we'll leave it to Louise, so we can indulge in another Scottish tradition -
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'the Highland fling. You've been warned.'
0:21:20 > 0:21:25With the sun setting over the Scottish borders, the first day of property hunting is at an end.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Barry and Jan are looking to retire to the Scottish borders.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37They want a three-bedroomed character house with a whole lot of land
0:21:37 > 0:21:41so Barry can have five - oh, yes - five duck ponds.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44They went quackers for our first property.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Don't bother showing us any more.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48But there's plenty to come.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51This is some living room.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54And today's mystery house will be a real test for their mettle.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Will they sacrifice ponds for an immaculate home?
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Ideal, isn't it?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07For our first property today, we're staying in the Teviot Valley,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09heading to the village of Denholm,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13equidistant between Barry and Jan's favourite towns of Jedburgh and Hawick.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16So location wise, it should be spot on.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22It's a beautiful little village that's grown up around its 17th-century green.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27The first hamlet was destroyed by English raiders in the 1600s.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Our English invaders, however, want to integrate themselves into the community,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and they shouldn't have any problems here.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36They are just 350 households, two pubs, a butcher and a baker,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41although the candlestick maker is long gone.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Our property is 1.5 miles away, on the grounds of an old manor house.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52Well, Jan, I heard you say that you were a bit worried that this little lane led to a large estate.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57In a way, it does, but it leads to your estate.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- That is... That's some house. - Something else. Good grief!
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You've got the River Teviot just there, which you can hear.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Really?- And a couple of burns leading off it.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Burns, burns. What do burns make?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Crystal-clear Scottish spring water.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- That's what I need. - Let's get up close and personal.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- Come on.- I think we need to, yes.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26'Just in case you're not up on your Scots lingo, a burn is a small brook.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30'Let's hope the house gets Barry and Jan just as excited.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34'Built in the 19th century, it was originally the coach house to the nearby manor.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38'It's been extended over the years, and the layout is on the quirky side,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41'which I think Barry and Jan will find quite appealing.'
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Come on in. Little hallway.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47This is nice.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50One of three entrances into the property, by the way.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Fantastic.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Little TV room.- Wow.
0:23:54 > 0:24:01This is really nice. Cottagey, but there's windows on three sides.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Barry's spotted something.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Lovely greenhouse.
0:24:05 > 0:24:11That's more than a greenhouse, that's an industrial-size nursery.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15It is. How do you feel about having a greenhouse running off your living room?
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- No problem.- Novel. You'd never get wet going out there.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20I'll take you out.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27The door doesn't open fully.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28No, it doesn't open fully.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Come on out.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Is this what I think it is?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It is, yeah. Your own vine.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39You could have garden furniture here, make a feature of this, you know?
0:24:39 > 0:24:43When it's a really hot summer's day, you'll feel as if you're in the Mediterranean.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Come on, there's plenty more to show you.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52'It's an unusual feature, but ideal if Barry and Jan want to go the whole hog on self-sufficiency.'
0:24:56 > 0:25:01Oh! Now this is some living room.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04It's your formal living space.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- You're not kidding. - Nice feel to this room, isn't there?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- It's a large room and yet it's cosy.- Mm-hm.
0:25:09 > 0:25:17You can imagine all the weather outside doing its thing, but you could be in here as warm as toast.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I'm glad you like it. Onward.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22'I love Jan's use of the word cosy.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24'This living room is 30 foot long.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'Time to check out the east wing of the house, I think.'
0:25:27 > 0:25:32I'm showing you a rather disconnected bathroom, cos it's away from everything, really.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Yeah, yeah.- Sixties themed...
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Yes.- I actually don't mind that.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Those tiles, they're not in your face. They're fine.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47The good news is, this is one of three bathrooms in the property.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50The bad news is that there isn't a dining room or a kitchen.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52- Oh, dear!- You eat outside, then?
0:25:52 > 0:25:53She believes anything I tell her!
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Of course there is, come on.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01'I jest, but this is one area of the house that could do with a bit of work.'
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Ah. Now...
0:26:05 > 0:26:07This is nice. Window seats...
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Look at the thick walls again.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16- Of course, linked to the kitchen. Come on through.- Lovely, yes. Can see the kitchen through there.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- Beautiful view of the courtyard. - I like these doors.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21I like these doors. Very nice.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24What do you think of the size of the kitchen?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- Fine.- Yeah.- It works.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31- It works for me.- You look slightly disappointed about the kitchen. - Um...
0:26:31 > 0:26:34It's... The house itself is a puzzle.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39I mean, you open a door onto something that you're not quite expecting.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41- Yeah.- That's right.- This is...
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Again, it's an adequate space.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49It needs updating, but, you know, I could work with this. I could live here.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Three bedrooms in the property, two of them downstairs, so there is one rather large bedroom upstairs.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I'm not sure how you'd feel about that.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59- You can tell me.- Let's go and see.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04'Well, there are other options. The west wing of the house is actually the old stable block
0:27:04 > 0:27:06'and is crying out for renovation.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'It'd make a superb kitchen/diner if Barry and Jan are up to the job.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13'But for now, we are concentrating on the east wing.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19'And in that east wing there are two double bedrooms on the ground floor and a lovely sun room.'
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- So many nooks and crannies in this property.- Now, I could just see myself in there, set up the easel
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- and I could be painting in there.- Ideal?
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Fantastic.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- Upstairs to the bedroom?- Superb, that. Absolutely lovely space.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36So you've got your own bathroom up here, as well.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- This is nice.- Little space in there.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40That's lovely.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- Ah, yes. - You can actually see the Teviot...
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- over there as well. That's lovely. - All comes back to the water, Barry.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It does indeed.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56'Well, I know Barry is itching to get outside, and this house really has some land attached to it -
0:27:56 > 0:27:59'a whopping ten acres.'
0:27:59 > 0:28:03That's nice. That is nice.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Good grief, yes.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10- I like that. - Already a productive vegetable plot.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- Yes?- You could convert that into raised beds with no problem at all.
0:28:14 > 0:28:20- It's a fantastic plot, really, really wonderful, but it also needs a little bit of TLC.- Yes.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Two years ago, severe flooding here.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29- Didn't affect the house at all but, as you can see, this riverbank needs to be shored up again.- Yeah.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Costs quite a bit of money.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Just get some beavers, I'm sure they'd do the job.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39- Yes, they might.- And the other thing about it is that's the raw materials for dry-stone walls down there.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41You're very positive people.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Well, you know, there's an answer to almost everything.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Yeah. Nothing is insurmountable.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48'Well, that's what I like to hear.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52'But there's so much more to see, and this property comes with a couple of features
0:28:52 > 0:28:55'that will make Barry very, very happy.'
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Oh-ho-ho!
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Is that a pond or is that a pond?
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- It's a naturally-fed pond. - Is it? By Jove.- Yeah, it is.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Good grief!- Wow.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11I think that might tick all my boxes.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13That's two, let's look for the other three.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I can't promise you three, but I can promise you another one.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Can you?!- I can. I can.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Is it gonna be lake style like this? - Come and have a look.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Lovely.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28With 10 acres to cover, pond number two is a bit of a hike.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34And this is still on the property?
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- It is.- All of this?- It is, Jan.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38Can't quite believe our luck, here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42I can't. I just can't. It goes on and on and on.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50So, Barry, the more natural-looking pond.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Very much so. It's ideal teal and shoveler country, this.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59I could see birds of that type being very much at home here.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01The potential is limitless, I think.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I think five ponds might be the minimum I end up with.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08It's a fantastic property, amazing grounds.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10What do you think it's worth?
0:30:12 > 0:30:19I would say, with 10 acres, all this land, the lovely property,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21I would say 600,000.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Perhaps 650,000.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Barry?
0:30:27 > 0:30:29545,000?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- I would hope.- £545,000.
0:30:32 > 0:30:39I can tell you that the amazing coach house, 10 acres of land, is on the market for...
0:30:39 > 0:30:41£525,000.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44525? Blimey.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Well...- 525...- That is, well...
0:30:48 > 0:30:5175,000 to mess about with.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56Well, look, go and have a look at your little estate, and I'll come and find you.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Lovely, thank you very much. Yes.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Yes, ha-ha, indeed.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07If ever there was a property that blends incredibly with its amazing surroundings,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10then this is the property for you.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14And the good news is that Barry and Jan are willing to give it the TLC -
0:31:14 > 0:31:16the tender loving care - that it requires.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Is it too big a project for them to take on?
0:31:19 > 0:31:24I don't think so. I think this could well be their escape to the country.
0:31:24 > 0:31:32On the market for offers over £525,000, this could be a massive £75,000 under budget.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35So plenty of spare change to make any alterations.
0:31:35 > 0:31:41It has three bedrooms, ample living space, and potential for a huge kitchen/diner.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43But it's the 10 acres and two ponds
0:31:43 > 0:31:46that make this a real stand-out.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48I think this property could work for us.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53There's a lot of work to do, and I think we'd enjoy this as a project.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's begging to be transformed.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00That's right. With a lovely keyhole window. That would be a feature.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01I was pretty blown away by the house.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06There's plenty of it. The gardens are immaculate. There are two ponds, currently.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10Even if we were to enlarge them, they'd become lakes, almost.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12As far as I'm concerned, it's a very big contender.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17You know what, this property and the surrounding area really does suit you two.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It certainly ticks all the boxes for us, yes.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Listen, there's more to see. Let's get going.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Well, can't be bad.
0:32:30 > 0:32:35The journey to find Barry and Jan their perfect country retreat, on the whole, has gone very well.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39They've loved being in the open space, but quite frankly, who wouldn't?
0:32:39 > 0:32:45But I also think I've managed to turn Barry's attention away from the garden and his five ponds,
0:32:45 > 0:32:49and he's concentrating more now on the property itself. Or is he?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51The mystery house will reveal all.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58With no ponds whatsoever, we're really taking a gamble with today's mystery house.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01It's situated on the outskirts of Galashiels -
0:33:01 > 0:33:04the Borders' second-biggest town.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08Located on the banks of the River Tweed in the very heart of the Borders,
0:33:08 > 0:33:15Gala, as it's known to the locals, has a rich history in the textile industry, dating back to the 1500s.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19Today the mills mix in with modern service industries.
0:33:19 > 0:33:25There are plenty of amenities to cater for the 12,000 residents of this thriving community town.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29The mystery house is located on the quieter outer fringes of Galashiels.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33It's not a location Barry and Jan have considered before,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37but, if this is to be their last move, in the coming years they may appreciate
0:33:37 > 0:33:39having a town's amenities right on their doorstep.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42So that's why we've chosen to show them this house.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50- So, you're probably wondering why I've brought you to the outskirts of Galashiels.- Yes, we are.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Well, I know that you like properties with loads of character.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58You're not going to find a property with more character than this one, let me tell you.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It was the original house of a prominent tweed manufacturer.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04It's Victorian.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06It is enormous.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- It's a stately home! - It's semi-detached.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- It's still enormous.- Huge.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17When it comes to both space and period detail, this impressive semi will take some beating.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19But will it win Barry and Jan over enough
0:34:19 > 0:34:24to persuade them to consider an alternative to remote country living?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29So how do you fancy a mosaic-tiled floor?
0:34:29 > 0:34:32That is perfect.
0:34:32 > 0:34:33Come on through.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35It is absolutely super.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41As you say, stained glass everywhere.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Look at this. Look at the ceiling.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48- Original pine floor. - That's a big plus.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52- It's lovely.- It's recently been refurbished, as you can tell.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57But so many original features in every single room.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Check this out.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01I love this so much.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03A very neat touch.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Take a listen.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07A sound system?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Big speakers anywhere?
0:35:09 > 0:35:10No.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- How unobtrusive is that? - That's the speaker?
0:35:13 > 0:35:19Anyway, boys' gadgets aside, come and have a look at the room itself.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- That's nice. I like the bay window. - The window's wonderful, isn't it?
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Fantastic fire.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Working fireplace.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- Really?- Immaculate, isn't it? - It is absolutely pristine.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35The colour scheme's nice.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39There are plenty of rooms to show you, so come on. Let's get on with it.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- What I love is the height of these ceilings.- Fantastic.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47It gives you a feeling of space.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- Kitchen through there. We'll go there later.- OK.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53This is the formal dining room.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Fantastic.- Very nice.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Look at this. Another fireplace, look.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02This is gorgeous.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04'Great reaction so far.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06'Our gamble could be paying off.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11'Next door is a second living room, complete with more character trimmings.'
0:36:11 > 0:36:13Come on through. This is your...
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- casual eating area.- It's nice.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21This bit was added on in the 1930s, and the kitchen through there.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23Because basically your next-door neighbour's got the kitchen.
0:36:23 > 0:36:29Oh, right. So if we need to eat, we just knock on their door?
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- If you get to know them well enough, yes.- Very good.
0:36:32 > 0:36:33This is your kitchen.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35This is lovely.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- Good enough size for you?- Yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41- You could work in here, you've got everything you need. - This is ideal.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- This is OK. It's a kitchen, it works. - Shall we go upstairs?- Yes.- Please.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50'Ideal? Nice?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52'Fantastic? This is music to my ears.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56'This house really could offer them a luxurious retirement.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59'And, upstairs, the splendour continues with three double bedrooms,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02'a single, and a rather sumptuous bathroom.'
0:37:02 > 0:37:08As you'd imagine, the bathroom is amazing.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13I think the word in-keeping springs to mind.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15This is lovely.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- So I'm seeing you in that bath, I have to say.- No, you're not, Aled!
0:37:20 > 0:37:25- You may have a point there. - The door will be locked.- OK!
0:37:25 > 0:37:27A bit red in the cheeks there.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30It is lovely. I like it.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38How do you feel about this being your master bedroom?
0:37:38 > 0:37:45Good heavens. This is lovely.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- Again, original floor. - Yes.- Original fireplace here.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50I can see that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53And the sash windows as well.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Not overlooked by anything, really, is it?
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Nope.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Ideal, isn't it?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Everywhere you look, there's another surprise.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04There's nothing would need to be done to this house at all.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- Absolutely pristine. - Come on, follow me.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09'If ever there was a house with wow factor, then this is it.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'And outside is equally impressive.
0:38:12 > 0:38:18'It comes with two acres of land, but most of that is woodland, so alas, no potential for ponds.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21'It's a risky strategy.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25'But will this stunning character house convince Barry to give up his water?'
0:38:25 > 0:38:29- Come on out, guys.- This is nice.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I like this garden.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35It's two acres in all, as I say. Most of that is facing us now.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37- It's a woodland.- Oh, look!
0:38:37 > 0:38:39A nice eating area out here.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44- Oh, that's very Mediterranean. - It's pretty, isn't it?- That's nice.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46'Time to bite the bullet and confess all.'
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Barry, there isn't a pond.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Right.- But I'm just trying to push you to see...
0:38:51 > 0:38:54You know, if the house is immaculate, if the house is fantastic,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56if I could sway you the other way.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57No, you wouldn't be able to.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01It's an integral part of what we want, isn't it?
0:39:01 > 0:39:06How much do you think this property and the two acres is on the market for?
0:39:06 > 0:39:12I would say it's well over budget, in the region of about 700,000.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14OK. 700,000.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I'm going to go lower, because it's semi-detached.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I'm going to go for 625,000.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24625,000. It's on the market for a fixed price...
0:39:24 > 0:39:27of £550,000.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30- Well within your budget. - You are joking?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32That amazes me.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I'm stuck for words.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- Honestly, I really am. - Go and have another look around.- OK.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38I'll be waiting by the front door.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Thank you.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42'You win some, you lose some.'
0:39:42 > 0:39:45What a shame, because this property is immaculate.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50And with an asking price of £550,000, it's £50,000 under budget.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It has period features and then some.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Three reception rooms.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Five bedrooms, and it comes with two acres of land.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01Sadly, it doesn't have the ponds Barry's set his heart on.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03I thought we might be able to sway him,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06but he's a man who knows what he wants, and he's not budging.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13The house was divine. You know, the colour schemes. It was a house to die for.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18But I'm afraid, Barry and I, we need somewhere with a lot more land.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Look at this. This is gorgeous. I mean, look at this.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I was absolutely blown away by the magnitude of the house.
0:40:27 > 0:40:33But in the current state, we wouldn't be here for the simple reason that we want land.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It isn't for us, at the moment.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40Well, the mystery house may be dead in the water, but the other two properties are still in the running.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43So it's back to base for some thinking time.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Well, that's it for our property tour of the Borders.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57By my reckoning, we have a couple of contenders.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00So all Barry and Jan have to do is work out
0:41:00 > 0:41:03which will be the best option for their new country lifestyle.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15- I think we've had a pretty eventful time here on the Scottish Borders, don't you?- Certainly have.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18We have seen some very interesting properties.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21To start with, the old converted water mill. What did you make of it?
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Quirky, loved the different rooms.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28That dining room - it was sensational.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32The potential for that property was just never-ending.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- Limitless really, yeah.- Obviously the river frontage, that was perfect.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I'm sure Barry could do something with that.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42You weren't expecting a river running at the bottom of your house.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43I certainly was not, no.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- That was a major bonus.- OK. So let me take you back to the coach house.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50That was lovely. There was a lot of potential.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52A lot of land.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56And even better, there was...
0:41:56 > 0:41:57two ponds.
0:41:57 > 0:42:03- That's right.- I mean, it did need a lot of work doing to it, but we could see past that.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I think I'd like to see the original bit back to almost all bedrooms.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09So have it like a bedroom wing.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13OK, let's talk about the mystery property. And it really was immaculate, wasn't it?
0:42:13 > 0:42:19It was like walking into Narnia. I don't think I have ever seen a house that was so beautifully presented.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23The stained-glass windows, the cornices were pristine.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27But the biggest draw for us moving to the Borders
0:42:27 > 0:42:32is to have some land, so we can be sort of semi self-sufficient. I'd like to have my ducks once again.
0:42:32 > 0:42:38And sadly, although it had a woodland walk, there was no scope for that if we're honest about it.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41I've shown you a variety of properties. Do you think you will move up here?
0:42:41 > 0:42:48Absolutely certain. We are certainly going to re-look at one of the properties - the coach house.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Right. Sounds really positive.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53- We can see ourselves there, yes. - It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55I really do hope that you make it up here,
0:42:55 > 0:43:00and whether it's the coach house or not, I hope you'll be an integral part of that community,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03cos I think they'll be very, very lucky to have you. Nice to meet you.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10Barry and Jan just love the Scottish Borders.
0:43:10 > 0:43:11They were born to live here.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14They've so enjoyed exploring the houses and the land
0:43:14 > 0:43:17that would give them the opportunity of being at one with nature.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21What I've really admired is the fact that they're positive.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22They don't dwell on the negative.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Surely that's a quality you need when you're house hunting.
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Until next time, goodbye.
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