0:00:02 > 0:00:04200 years ago, this remote farm was home to a poet whose words
0:00:04 > 0:00:07ring around the world every New Year's Eve.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Find out who he was, and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28On today's show,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31I'm looking to help one couple escape the rat-race and head
0:00:31 > 0:00:36north over the border for the quiet surrounds of the Celtic countryside.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37They feel right at home.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Really cosy.- Cosy. That's what I was thinking.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44I can imagine being curled up on the sofa in the winter here.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And they find it all overwhelming.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50- Oh, wow!- Yes, it's very nice.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Today we're in Dumfries and Galloway, and it was to this
0:00:58 > 0:01:01farm in 1788 that the poet Robert Burns
0:01:01 > 0:01:03brought his young family.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And it's been known ever since as the poet's choice because
0:01:06 > 0:01:09he wrote some of his most famous lyrics here,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11including Auld Lang Syne.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13The idyll didn't last very long, however, because he got
0:01:13 > 0:01:17a job in Dumfries, because of money worries, three years later.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21But he remembered the place with great fondness, and when you see
0:01:21 > 0:01:25the beautiful landscape this county has to offer, you'll understand why.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Historically known as Dumfriesshire,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Dumfries and Galloway is bordered by five regions, including
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Cumbria in England, South Lanarkshire to the north,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39and Scottish Borders to the east.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42To the south lies the Nith Estuary.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And within it is found the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48which stretches for ten miles along the Solway coastline.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53The River Nith flows through the town of Dumfries,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and it was here in 1306 that Robert the Bruce
0:01:56 > 0:02:00dispatched his rival, Red Comyn, to take the throne
0:02:00 > 0:02:02as the King of the Scots.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The Southern Upland Way runs past the town
0:02:05 > 0:02:08and forms Britain's first coast-to-coast walk,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11running 212 miles from the Irish to the North Sea.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17If you're after dramatic views, then head for the Devil's Beef Tub.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Whatever you're looking for, this region has something for everyone.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Now, our couple today want to travel 400 miles to get
0:02:25 > 0:02:27a slice of all this Scottish beauty.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29So, let's meet them.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Elaine and Ian have spent the past nine years in Herne, Kent,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38but feel that with Ian on the cusp of retirement, the time
0:02:38 > 0:02:42is right for a change of pace, to pack up their bags for Scotland.
0:02:43 > 0:02:51When we first moved here, it was very much a village atmosphere.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But it's got busier and busier.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56We live on a busy main road, which is noisy,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00especially in the summertime when you're sitting in the garden,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03you can hear the traffic noise.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It's time for life to slow down in pace.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11And a family connection lies behind their distant relocation.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13My father was from Scotland.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16I've got cousins that live up in Jedburgh,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and I've got a stepfamily that live in Annan.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22The area they're looking at played host to a major
0:03:22 > 0:03:24event in their lives.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So, we decided to get married at Gretna Green,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31in Scotland, Dumfriesshire, mainly because of Ian's family.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Following the wedding, little beknown to us,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Elaine's parents moved back up on holiday to Carlisle a week
0:03:38 > 0:03:42later and have now settled up there as well.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45So, what are they looking for in their Scottish homestead?
0:03:45 > 0:03:51The ideal property would be detached, on the edge of a village,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55and whilst we're looking for most of the accommodation on the ground
0:03:55 > 0:03:58floor, I do like a chalet bungalow, having a bedroom,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01maybe a bathroom, upstairs.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Three bedrooms, four would be nice.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07A reasonable-sized garden with some sheds and possibly a greenhouse.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I'm going to be retired,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12so, I'll probably be more in the potting shed, hopefully.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It would be nice to have a stream running through the garden,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19but there again, you know, you can't have everything.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22The most important feature for me is the kitchen,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25because one of my passions in life is cooking,
0:04:25 > 0:04:30so to have somewhere that I can cook in and people can sit at the table
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and talk to me and have a glass of wine or two...
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Or three.- ..would be lovely.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41When it comes to entertaining, Elaine and Ian don't always
0:04:41 > 0:04:45follow convention, finding a novel use for their garden shed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50We've actually converted it into quite a little cosy pub.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52The boys can get up there and watch the football
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and be out the way of the house. Keeping the nest nice and tidy.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00All that remains to be ironed out are the financial
0:05:00 > 0:05:03details for their move north of the border.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07The budget for the planned move is approximately £300,000.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12Elaine and Ian would like us
0:05:12 > 0:05:16to concentrate our search to the south, around Dumfries,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19and within reasonable distance of Elaine's parents in Carlisle.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I met up with them on local soil to find out more about what
0:05:24 > 0:05:27they're after in the property.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Welcome to Scotland, you two.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Thank you!- Thank you.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Which areas are you looking in particularly?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The area that we've specifically looked at at the moment is sort of
0:05:35 > 0:05:39somewhere between Moffat, Dumfries and Carlisle, that sort of triangle.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- How much is your budget? - The budget is £300,000.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- OK. But you are also quite keen on doing some work, is that right?- Yes.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49We would be happy to look at something that was less money,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53say 240,000, that had some scope to be improved.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Well, we've got three lovely properties
0:05:55 > 0:05:57and I think they are going to give you lots of food for thought.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59So, no time like the present, let's go.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04For a budget of £300,000,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Elaine and Ian are looking for a property on one level or possibly...
0:06:25 > 0:06:28We have three properties to show them, and at each one I'll be
0:06:28 > 0:06:32asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The final one will be a mystery house that sets them a challenge.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40We're heading to the house that's first on our list.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46We begin our property search close to the village of Waterbeck,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50around 40 minutes east of Dumfries and 20 miles from Carlisle.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56So, this is the property.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- What are your first impressions? - Very nice.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Love the stone, and the location.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Do you like the location? - I do. Yes.- Stunning.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06The interesting thing about this property
0:07:06 > 0:07:09is that it is actually an old property.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11The front part was a byre,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13sort of an agricultural outhouse,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16from probably the end of the 19th century.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21And this part, straight in front of me, is less than seven years old.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- It's blended in well.- It has. - Amazingly well done, isn't it?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Shall we have a look inside? - Yes, please.- Let's go.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30We're off to a great start with a positive reaction to the setting,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and I'm hoping the interior can match that
0:07:33 > 0:07:37and deliver the space they need, as this is a property with potential.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44It's not cramped, the dining area.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46You have an eating area in the kitchen.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- That's what you've always wanted. - It's nice and light. Yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53And you've got quite a nice-sized utility room there with
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- the white goods, and a door out into the back garden.- Yes.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00And then onto the drive, so you can bring your shopping straight in.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- That's really handy. Yeah. - Well, after the kitchen...
0:08:04 > 0:08:06and then into this room,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09which I think is a really lovely room in this property.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11This is lovely. I love the fire.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14It was on our list, our wish list, so, yeah, that's really nice.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Beautiful views.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I think this is really the killer thing about this house.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Such a lovely, warm feeling here. - Yes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Cosy. Really cosy.- That's what I was thinking, comfortable.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30I can imagine being curled up on the sofa in the winter here.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33So, that's your living space, the sitting room, the kitchen.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36You have, well, effectively, two-and-a-half bedrooms.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38OK...
0:08:42 > 0:08:44This one's being used as the master
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- because it has this en-suite toilet and washbasin.- That's pretty.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53- Very nice.- They're not colossal, the rooms.- No, no.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57I'm thinking about storage. They have one wardrobe.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Realistically, how much storage do you need?
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Probably more than certainly is in this room at the moment.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Perhaps Elaine's got it right with the chalet bit.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Perhaps we do need to go up as well.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14There is another generous bedroom, and a smaller room, currently
0:09:14 > 0:09:18a study, which could be used as a small, single, third bedroom.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21All are served by a good-sized family bathroom.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Lovely kind of 360 view, from here.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Well, this land around us doesn't belong to the property,
0:09:30 > 0:09:35but the farmer, who is just across the way, is a canny chap
0:09:35 > 0:09:39and realising that it was up for sale, has offered it up for sale.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- So, you would enjoy having that bit more land.- Yes, I think we would.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Yes. It wouldn't go to waste.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50Possibly, then also, that gives other opportunities with the house.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- You were thinking of maybe pushing out on one end.- Yes.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- That sort of work requires money. - Yes.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57And we haven't talked about money.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59So, what do you think this is on the market for?
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- Difficult one. Without the land... - Without the land.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- 225,000?- I was going to say 260.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- Well, in this instance, Ian, you were right on the money.- Oh!- 225.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15They've just lowered it to that price, so they probably
0:10:15 > 0:10:19wouldn't go any lower, but that would give you a substantial chunk.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It would, very much so.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24This single level cottage comes in well under budget
0:10:24 > 0:10:28and offers them three bedrooms, a kitchen-diner,
0:10:28 > 0:10:33a large living room, the possibility to extend the property,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36all in a rural location surrounded by stunning scenery.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40So, you still think it's a little on the small side?
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Slightly on the small side, but we'd like to investigate further as to
0:10:45 > 0:10:47whether we could extend it to a third bedroom.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- Or you could go and look at another property.- OK!- We could.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- That's what I'm offering. Come with me.- Thank you.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Through the centuries, Scotland's beautiful and stirring landscape
0:11:08 > 0:11:13has been the backdrop for clans, battles, and titled families,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16all of which have shaped the country's vibrant history.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20Around 20 miles north of Dumfries,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24overlooking the magnificent Nith Valley, is Drumlanrig Castle,
0:11:24 > 0:11:28an impressive example of 17th-century Renaissance-style
0:11:28 > 0:11:32architecture, built on the site of an ancient stronghold.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Home to the Dukes of Buccleuch
0:11:33 > 0:11:37and Queensberry for the last 500 years, it played host to
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Bonnie Prince Charlie on his retreat north in 1745.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45I'm here to meet castle guide Ian Sutherland to discover
0:11:45 > 0:11:49the story of this glorious pink sandstone palace.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- Who's this handsome chap? - It's Chad.- Chad, he's gorgeous.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- He certainly is, isn't he?- So, tell me briefly about Drumlanrig.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Drumlanrig is the very last castle to be built in Scotland.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06You're in the valley of the River Nith. And, in the old days,
0:12:06 > 0:12:11it was used as an invasion route from the south right into Scotland.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16So, in the past, we've had Romans, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- Even the English have tried to invade this part.- Heaven forfend!
0:12:19 > 0:12:24And what the castle is doing is guarding the only good crossing
0:12:24 > 0:12:25across the River Nith.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28In fact, Drumlanrig is a bit like a cork in a bottle -
0:12:28 > 0:12:35it tries to stop any army from getting further up the valley.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39So, this is one of the best places you could possibly have a castle.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Even in the old days, the Romans, they had a fort.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44We've got the fort in the grounds.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46That is wonderful Scottish history.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49But I am partly enchanted by this chap here.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51So, what's his role in the proceedings?
0:12:51 > 0:12:55The family is one of the first families to introduce these
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- black Labradors into Britain.- Wow.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Since that time, they've been used as gundogs.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- So, we have the Buccleuchs to thank for the Labradors?- Yes, I think so.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08How wonderful.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Ever since the 5th Duke of Buccleuch introduced
0:13:11 > 0:13:14black Labradors from Newfoundland in the 1830s,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18working dogs have been an important part of the Buccleuch Estates.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21David Lisett, trainer at Buccleuch Gundogs,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25has agreed to give me some tips on working with these handsome beasts.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29What we'll do is, we'll start at the very beginning,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31the recall whistle and the stop whistle.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34The recall whistle would be "toot-toot-toot-toot-toot",
0:13:34 > 0:13:36and, hopefully, he'll come charging in.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38And then the break whistle would be one blow.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40WHISTLES ONCE
0:13:40 > 0:13:42WHISTLES REPEATEDLY
0:13:42 > 0:13:44WHISTLES ONCE
0:13:46 > 0:13:47WHISTLES REPEATEDLY
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Good boy. Good boy.- Oh, so cute!
0:13:50 > 0:13:53So, the next stage, we'll start stretching him a wee bit now.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56David is setting Chad a memory task.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58He'll launch a dummy bird across the lawn
0:13:58 > 0:14:01and I have to tell Chad to remember its position.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Is there any whistle-blowing? Do I need to?
0:14:03 > 0:14:04No, the only time is when he's gone
0:14:04 > 0:14:07three-quarters of the way across there, just give him a...
0:14:07 > 0:14:08WHISTLES ONCE
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Just practise.
0:14:10 > 0:14:11WHISTLES WEAKLY
0:14:11 > 0:14:13No, you need to do it as if somebody's nicking your wallet.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15WHISTLES ENERGETICALLY
0:14:15 > 0:14:16Just enough.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- Right, here we go. That's it.- Mark.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19GUNSHOT
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Before he retrieves it,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I send him off to look for a second dummy, already hidden in the bushes.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Go back.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29ALISTAIR LAUGHS APPRECIATIVELY
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Put the brakes on now.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33WHISTLES ONCE
0:14:36 > 0:14:38And then push him back. "Go back."
0:14:38 > 0:14:39Go back!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Lovely.- Look at that, amazing! - Absolutely lovely.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Just the hand gesture did it. - Just the hand gesture and your tone.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- Here we go.- Should I do the "toot-toot-toot?"- If you don't mind.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53WHISTLES REPEATEDLY
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Oh, superstar!
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Look at that! Good boy, Chad.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Good dog.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Just line him up and pick the other ones now.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06- So do I...- Do the same again,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09just put your hand down and point to where you want him to go,
0:15:09 > 0:15:10- and say, "Go back."- Sit. Good boy.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13'OK, now, to retrieve the first bird.'
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Go back.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- He's off.- He's like a "do-ing".
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Like an arrow.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19WHISTLES REPEATEDLY
0:15:19 > 0:15:22That's what they're bred for all these years.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Good boy. Good boy.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- Well done, you.- You're an absolute natural, Alistair.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I think HE'S an absolute natural. It's been a joy. Thank you so much.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34It was a lovely experience working with Chad,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and I'm sure these beautiful dogs will be working alongside
0:15:37 > 0:15:40future Dukes for years to come.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42But now it's time to go back to our buyers.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48We're travelling west towards Dumfries for our next
0:15:48 > 0:15:52property offering, which lies in the hamlet of Shieldhill,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56close to the town of Lochmaben, and about 33 miles from Carlisle.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Lochmaben is the nearest town, serving the local community,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02with a variety of shops, cafes and pubs.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Around four miles out of town is Shieldhill,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09the setting of our second property,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11a four-bedroom, chalet-style bungalow
0:16:11 > 0:16:14surrounded by rural countryside.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20All right! House number two, this is our offering.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I'm liking what I'm seeing at the moment.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Tell me what you're seeing, what's jumping out at you.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30I like the high-pitched roof, it's obviously got character.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32How old do you think the property is?
0:16:32 > 0:16:36I would say it's probably not as old as it probably looks.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Nine years old.- Is it really?- Yes.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Shall we look inside? - Let's get in.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47We're off to a flying start, and I'm confident the interior will deliver
0:16:47 > 0:16:52on space, but whether it offers the wow factor remains to be seen.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Aha!- Ah!- This is nice. Yes. - That's intriguing.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57It's surprising, isn't it?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Yeah.- That's really nice.- Yeah. - I like that.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Is it your taste? - Definitely, absolutely.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- We do like oak staircases.- Yeah.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Shall we look in the kitchen?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- Let's do.- Mm, yes, please, my domain.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10So far, so good.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Now for the most important room in the house.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Are you ready for this?
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- We're ready.- Come on in.- Oh... - Oh! Right, yes.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19Oh, wow...
0:17:22 > 0:17:24It's very nice. Oh!
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- Are you all right?- It's...
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- Are you welling up?- She is.- Wow!
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Oh, Elaine, tell us what is it that's getting to you.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41It just feels really... It's got a really good feeling.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Yeah, I mean, I can visualise all my bits in here and... Mm.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47It's got a lot of what you wanted.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- It's got a lovely kind of gas range.- Yeah, definitely.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Well, that was quite a response to the kitchen.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56But let's continue through to the sitting room. Hankies to the ready.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57OK.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- Here's your sitting room. - Nice and big.- A beautiful size.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06It's a nice space.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- It feels...- Any reservations?
0:18:09 > 0:18:13It's something about the fireplace, it's incredibly dominant.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- I think it might be the stones that I'm not too sure about.- Yeah.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21The thing about this house is I think it needs a bit of TLC.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25And on this floor, we've also, there's also a small study.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29And, actually, on the other wing, because you have another wing,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34there are two very-nice-sized bedrooms and a family bathroom.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Right.- OK.- Which you can explore.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- But this is actually a four-bedroom house.- OK.- OK.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Though, I think you'll find when you see the size of the bedrooms
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- upstairs, you might think of it as an eight bedroom house.- OK.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50With such an emotional response to the ground floor,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54let's hope upstairs can match that reaction.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- Oh, my goodness!- It's big.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- Very big.- Yeah. That's great! What a size. That's amazing.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- What would you do with all this space?- Keep my shoes here!
0:19:04 > 0:19:05Wardrobes!
0:19:05 > 0:19:07So, this would be your walk-in wardrobe.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09THEY CHUCKLE
0:19:09 > 0:19:12There is another bedroom up on this floor,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I'll let you explore that at your own leisure.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- But let's nip outside and let's think land and think price.- OK.- OK.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24As we head outside, it seems that in terms of space,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27the interior has well and truly delivered.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Along with a few unexpected tears.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34The garden here is south-facing and over these fields, which
0:19:34 > 0:19:36are not yours, but are just being used
0:19:36 > 0:19:39for ponies and some Highland cattle.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41There's a sort of ambivalence about the two of you.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42I can't say whether you love it
0:19:42 > 0:19:44and are keeping it under your hat, or...
0:19:44 > 0:19:46I love it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51I think, for me, there's a lot of work in there. That doesn't faze me
0:19:51 > 0:19:55because the structure is there, it's cosmetic.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57It's going to need some imagination
0:19:57 > 0:19:59in using that very large bedroom,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and how we would use that, and seeing how that could be developed.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05So, a very different offering from the house this morning.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08What do you think it is in terms of price?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- I'm going to say 305.- Ian?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15I would probably go with, say, 245.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Well, it's not far off Ian's guess.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21It's actually on the market for 250.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27That's... very surprising. Very pleasing.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30This nine-year-old cottage offers them the space they are
0:20:30 > 0:20:35looking for, including four large bedrooms, two bathrooms,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38a tear-inducing kitchen-diner for entertaining,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40a large living room,
0:20:40 > 0:20:45perfectly placed in the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Well, we're done for today,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49so time to rest and digest what you've seen.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- We will do.- On we go.- Thank you.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06For our mystery house, we're staying on Scottish soil,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10heading around six miles south to the outskirts of Dumfries
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and 45 minutes from Carlisle.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The market town of Dumfries, set on the banks of the River Nith,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22has been a Royal burgh since 1186.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Our mystery house is a four bedroomed bungalow
0:21:26 > 0:21:30in a peaceful setting, well-placed for the amenities of the town
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and can test their appetite for taking on a refurbishment project.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37So, you know you mentioned in your wildest dreams how
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- you'd like a stream running through your house?- We did.- We did.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42You have found us one.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46So, we have been scouring Scotland to find you
0:21:46 > 0:21:49a property in your budget that has a brook.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- It feels as though you're completely in the middle of a wood here.- Yeah.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54It's beautiful.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Probably could be the house of our dreams, I don't know.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- This is music to my ears.- Yes.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Let's hope the music continues as we step inside. Follow me.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07The setting of the house more than delivers, however it's time
0:22:07 > 0:22:10to cross our fingers and hope that they are a couple with the vision
0:22:10 > 0:22:12for a project.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Come on in to the sitting room,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- which is at the front of the bungalow.- OK.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23That's a reasonable size.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28I think it's smaller than others that we've looked at.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Certainly smaller than yesterday afternoon.- Certainly.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35I like the fact that it's got a chimney breast and a fire.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36That's good.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40I think the thing to think about this house, is really,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43if you can, just to think of it as a shell
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- and, really, the ground plan you can re-jig as you like.- Yes.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50I think you'd want to think about this in terms
0:22:50 > 0:22:52of maybe the kitchen/living room,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- because this flows on into the kitchen.- OK.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59So, I imagine you'll have a view about the kitchen.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05Yes, it's not the biggest kitchen in the world, but I've had smaller.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08The footprint of the house is certainly bigger than
0:23:08 > 0:23:09the first house that we saw,
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- It's a project.- Yeah. But that's... That's fine.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Let's take a look at one of the bedrooms.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20With the kitchen, bathroom
0:23:20 > 0:23:23and two of the bedrooms separated by stud walls,
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Elaine and Ian have a variety of options available
0:23:27 > 0:23:31for reconfiguring the property EXACTLY how they'd like it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- We've got four bedrooms.- Uh-huh, OK. - Two of them are good sizes.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42There's this one and the one next door, which could be the master.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45And then you've got two littler ones on the other side,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48one of which could be a study, and a bathroom.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50But I think the high point of the house for you guys
0:23:50 > 0:23:52is probably this next room.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55The scale of the project is becoming clear
0:23:55 > 0:23:57but, so far, they don't seem fazed.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00This...
0:24:01 > 0:24:04..I think is going to be one of your key rooms.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- This is nice. This is really nice. - This could be nice as a lounge.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10This is the addition, this is what they put on.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14This is the selling point of the house, isn't it, without any doubt?
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Doors open, sun coming down, stream dribbling past.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I can imagine the nice light oak doors that,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26sort of, pull completely back and open it up.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29That's... That's, um... That's expensive.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Which brings us onto the question of price
0:24:34 > 0:24:37because I can see that you've been, as you've been walking round,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- you've been knocking down walls... - We've been spending it!
0:24:40 > 0:24:42..reconfiguring things.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45As I suggested, this is a complete remodelling, perhaps.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49So, how much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I'm going to say 199.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Ian?
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- I think probably on the market for probably 275.- 275?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Wow, you've completely swapped now.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03You've gone high, you've gone low.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Well, actually, it's somewhere in the middle.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- It's actually on the market for 225.- OK.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11But the vendors have made it clear that they're open to negotiation,
0:25:11 > 0:25:12so you might get it for less.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Ah...
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- That does leave scope... - To do the work.- To do quite a bit.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Our mystery house falls well within their budget
0:25:22 > 0:25:25giving them plenty of cash for improvements.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26And includes:
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- Are you admiring your bluebell woods?- We are.- Absolutely.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It's a lovely stream. It needs damming, though, doesn't it?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It needs small children to come and play in it.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Childhood dreams!
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Good, OK, time to go and think about all the properties I've shown you.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52- OK.- Come with me.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07We began our little Scottish odyssey by a fire,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09and we're ending it by a fire.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- I hope you've had fun. - Definitely. Yeah.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's been an absolute eye-opener for me.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18I get the impression, and correct me if I'm wrong,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21that number one is not so much of a contender.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It's all down to property number two and the mystery house.
0:26:24 > 0:26:30Number two is my favourite, in terms of the property.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34But number three, it has to be the location.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35What has to happen next
0:26:35 > 0:26:37for you to make a decision, one way or the other?
0:26:37 > 0:26:41I think, for me, I want to go back and see property number two
0:26:41 > 0:26:44before we leave Scotland.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49And I think I need to understand how property three can work for us.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I think probably an ideal would be if we could take property two
0:26:52 > 0:26:54and put it into the setting of property three.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56That would be amazing. And there you have the conundrum.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59It's been lovely showing you around and I hope that you
0:26:59 > 0:27:01find your place up here. It's really lovely to see you
0:27:01 > 0:27:04coming to look back in your homeland, as it were,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07and that one of the properties we've shown you comes up trumps.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- Thank you, Alistair. - Thank you very much.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16Looks like house number two
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and the mystery house both still strong contenders.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21And, I have to say, I thought we did very well in Scotland
0:27:21 > 0:27:25because we kept well under budget and offered Ian and Elaine
0:27:25 > 0:27:28a lot more than they'd hoped for. A lot of space in house number two,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and super potential in the mystery house.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34And with all this amazing landscape, you can understand
0:27:34 > 0:27:36why they'd want to move here.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I hope you've enjoyed our jaunt through Bonnie Scotland.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Having mulled over the properties we served up, Elaine and Ian have
0:27:47 > 0:27:50since had a change of direction, discarding any notion of taking on
0:27:50 > 0:27:54a project and opting instead for a new-build that's ready to move into.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57And I'm happy to say they've had an offer excepted on a house
0:27:57 > 0:27:59in Eaglesfield.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02If you want to escape to the country in Wales, Northern Ireland,
0:28:02 > 0:28:06England, Scotland, and even further afield to the Continent
0:28:06 > 0:28:13and need our help, please apply online: