Scottish Borders Escape to the Country


Scottish Borders

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This 15th-century fortification rises 20 metres high,

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can be seen for miles around

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and inspired one of this country's most admired authors.

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Find out where it stands in just a few moments.

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On today's show, we're helping new parents

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find a family home that comes with business potential...

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Wow. It's long.

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..but at times it seems what they're really after is wardrobe potential.

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-My one concern would be storage cos you have an immense amount of clothes and shoes.

-Yeah.

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-Glad you said that.

-Yeah!

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Today, we're in the Scottish Borders

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and this impressive four-storey building behind me

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is called Smailholm Tower,

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one of a number of fortified houses built across the region

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that also served as lookout towers.

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Now, close by, just in the gathering of farm buildings there,

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is the childhood home of novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott.

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So fond was he of this particular landmark and its commanding views,

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that he even included it in some of his work.

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And even when he died in 1832,

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his funeral procession stopped one last time

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to savour these dramatic views.

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And I must say, looking around, it's not hard to see why.

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The Scottish Borders,

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along with neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway,

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form the gateway between England and Scotland.

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It's one of the largest regions in Britain

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and encompasses rolling uplands,

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the ruggedly beautiful Berwickshire coastline

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and the magnificent River Tweed

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where more Atlantic salmon are caught

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than in any other British river.

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Having been farmed and fought over for centuries,

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there are over 15,000 sites and monuments

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registered in the Historic Environment Record.

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One of those is the evocative 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey,

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which, in spite of countless border army raids,

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still towers remarkably intact.

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The tranquil beauty here is unmarred by densely populated areas,

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but it does have a fine share of small and beguiling towns,

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including Kelso, which literary icon Walter Scott,

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who had family ties here, described as the most beautiful,

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if not the most romantic, village in Scotland.

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And the region's famous writer is just one of many

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who have drawn inspiration

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from this intriguing and idyllic part of the country.

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The average price of property here in the Scottish Borders

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comes in at just over £166,000,

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which is around £30,000 more

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than neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway,

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yet still £50,000 cheaper than Edinburgh,

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although Borders locations with good access back into the city

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or along the desirable east coast still attract a premium.

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But if it's a truly rural existence you're after,

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then prepare to be pleasantly surprised

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on just how far your money will go.

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So, let's meet today's property shoppers

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to find out where they want to call home

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and to find out how much money they're prepared to pay for it.

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For the last year, Damian and Sam

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have been living in this three-bedroom house in Penicuik,

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10 miles south of Edinburgh.

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It's one of the married quarters for the Royal Regiment of Scotland,

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where Sandhurst-trained Damian is an operations officer.

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From the time the couple met six years ago,

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they've lived all over the country

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and this is the fourth house they've moved to together.

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But since the arrival of daughter Hermione,

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they've been hankering for a more settled life in the country.

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My job basically means that I have to move

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maybe one or even every two years so it's quite transient.

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But now, having Hermione, we maybe want a bit more stability for her.

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And I think the concern is, you know,

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as Hermione gets to school age,

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then she'd have to move schools every two years

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-and I think that's what we're keen to avoid, really, aren't we?

-Yeah.

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The couple's dream of finding a more permanent family home

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for Hermione to grow up in does come with a compromise.

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During the week, Damian will need to stay at the base for work,

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leaving just the weekends to spend with the family.

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But with their new rural surroundings,

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the time they do have together will be quality time.

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We like to get out as a family so I think being in the country,

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we'd make a lot of use of the grounds so a lot of walking.

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The horse riding that would come with the country

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that Sam's very keen on getting Hermione involved in and me.

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The amount of opportunities it would give us as a family

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to get outdoors and do stuff, the better.

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THEY SING SCALE

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During the time they've lived in the regiment's married quarters,

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Sam has formed close bonds with a special group of women

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that she's keen to stay connected to after the move.

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I'm a member of the Military Wives Choir

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and we meet every Tuesday night for rehearsals, which is...

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It's a great social, actually.

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It's kind of nice to meet like-minded people

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and it's a bit of a jolly, but we do rehearse for specific events,

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which is fantastic.

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Really, really good fun. So, it's a nice crowd.

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It's not just the leisure activities that will be affected by the move.

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While a permanent rural base means a weekly commute for Damian,

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it does offer Sam, who's currently on maternity leave

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from her job as a procurement manager,

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new ways of earning that she could do from home.

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Being a military wife can actually be quite hard

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in terms of managing a career.

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So, what would be good would be if we could have a property

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that we could run a small business from

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and the ideas we kind of originally had would be

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could we have a cottage in the grounds

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that we could, you know, use as a holiday let

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or a stable block that we could run a livery yard from?

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It's not set in stone.

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I think we're open to kind of the different possibilities.

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Although proximity to Damian's work is one of the main motivations

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for selecting the Scottish Borders as a place to settle down,

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it's part of the country they do have a genuine affection for.

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It's the countryside. It's the fresh air.

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-It's quite close to the coast as well.

-Yeah.

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And we get the best of both worlds of Scotland/England as well

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being right on the border and I can't think of a better place to move.

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So that it's easy for Damian to get home to the family at weekends,

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we're keeping our search within an hour and a half's drive

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from the regiment in Penicuik.

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I'm meeting up with them to find out some more about their move.

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So, here we are in the beautiful Scottish Borders.

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Why have you chosen to plant yourselves here specifically, then, Sam?

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It's beautiful. We absolutely love it.

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You must be quite excited

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to be thinking about a more permanent base.

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Have you got a picture in your mind's eye

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of the sort of home that you'd both love to bring your daughter up in?

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I think so. I think we'd both definitely like something quite traditional.

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Four to five bedrooms. Somewhere with a bit of land.

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You know, definitely with some stables

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for potentially a pony for Hermione to grow up with.

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-So, what does it look like?

-I think we like Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian kind of styles.

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Right.

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We definitely don't like kind of that cottagey feel with,

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you know, the beams, Damian being quite tall.

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-Height's an issue.

-Yeah, that could be...

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-Yeah.

-Not so much for me.

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BOTH LAUGH

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We're in the beautiful countryside. How rural do you want to get?

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We're prepared to be rural,

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but not to the extent that we're so isolated.

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So, it's got to be a good balance of having a small village

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-or a small town nearby.

-Close by.

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This big move, if you like,

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it's obviously, first and foremost, this new family home,

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but there's also an idea that you might want to run a business.

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Have you got a minimum plot size in mind?

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-I think a couple of acres.

-I think a couple of acres would be great.

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Anything more would be an absolute bonus.

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OK, let's talk budget. How much are you looking to spend on this move?

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Our budget at the moment is about £600,000-£650,000.

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We've got three fantastic properties lined up for you

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so let's not wait any longer.

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-Let's go and have a look.

-BOTH: Great.

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With a generous budget of £650,000,

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Damian and Sam are looking for a period family home

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with four to five bedrooms and some kind of business potential,

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perhaps in the form of outbuildings or land.

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At least two acres would be ideal.

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They'd also like a stable

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so that Hermione can have a pony.

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We've got a great selection of homes to show them

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and at the end of each tour,

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I'll be getting them to guess the price before I reveal it.

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One will be the mystery house,

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which could have them rethinking their priorities between home and business.

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-You're a rider, aren't you?

-Yeah.

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-Are you looking forward to having your own horse or have you got one already?

-I haven't.

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-That's something I've always, always wanted.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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-Something else on the shopping list, Damian.

-Yeah, well, not for me.

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My father has actually promised a pony to Hermione,

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clearly not quite realising how much that may cost.

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Got witnesses.

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You've got basically all week at work

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and then coming home, "Oh, great.

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"I've got to muck out Hermione's stable."

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Well, that's where Sam comes in.

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-You see, she's very thorough with that kind of thing.

-Oh, are you?

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Already, we're allocating mucking out duties. Amazing.

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We're starting our search close to the coast in Coldingham,

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which is an hour's drive east of Damian's work in Penicuik.

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This charming conservation village has a selection of appealing shops

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as well as plenty of history.

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It grew up around a Benedictine priory

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that was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell's army,

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some of the ruins of which still remain

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on the site of the church that replaced it.

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To top it off, the village is situated just inland from Coldingham Sands,

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with its beautiful blue flag beach and walking tracks

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that link to the spectacular Berwickshire Coastal Path.

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Just a mile from the village and a stone's throw from the beach

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is our first property.

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-What do you think?

-Lovely, yeah.

-It's great from the outside.

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It's a nice, peaceful, rural setting,

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but with proximity to some people so you don't feel too isolated.

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-And the size is great.

-Looks good.

-Great news.

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-Let's take a look inside.

-Great.

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Built in the 19th century,

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the property was originally a farmhouse

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and over the last seven years,

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the current owners have done a considerable amount of work to it.

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-So, in we come.

-Ah. Wow.

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-Old and new meeting, isn't it?

-Mm-hm. Yeah. It is nicely done.

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It still retains a lot of the period features

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and everything like that, which is great.

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And I think it's a nice-sized space

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and in a lot of respects, the fact that it is quite open,

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you know, to have Hermione running round as well

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and keep an eye on her, it could potentially work.

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Let's stick this side of the house and look at the living room.

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-So, quite an elegant room, this.

-Yeah, it's a nice size.

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Yeah, and I like all the windows.

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-It's really light.

-The windows are great.

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Just through that door, you've also got a sunroom or conservatory,

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which, I think, you know, come the autumn or spring

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-would just be absolutely gorgeous to sit out there.

-Yeah.

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It's like, you know, the textbook living room, isn't it,

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where you can sit and watch TV?

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You've still got your fireplace to make it seem nice and homely.

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It's beautiful how it's done, but I think it's not to our taste.

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I think we'd...a bit of cosmetic here and there.

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I think a bit more traditional is how we'd like it.

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-It's cosmetic, isn't it?

-Mm-hm. Yeah.

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-See, I find that quite encouraging.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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Good. All right, kitchen next.

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-Just mind your step here.

-OK.

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-Got a really handy utility area...

-Fab.

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..which means the kitchen is just the kitchen and the dining room.

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Oh, wow. This is really nice.

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This is a lovely space.

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-Windows are great.

-Yeah, this is fantastic.

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You both smiled as soon as you came in here.

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Yeah, it's a great room. I love it.

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It's spacious, but it's homely at the same time, isn't it?

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-Yeah. Mm-hm.

-Yeah, nicely done kitchen

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and I don't think we'd do too much to that at all.

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I don't think we'd do anything to the kitchen. It's beautiful.

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Well, I'll take you upstairs to see one of the bedrooms,

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-then you can have a scoot round on your own.

-OK.

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We're heading back to the entrance hall to use the main staircase,

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but there is another set of stairs at the other end of the hall.

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It provides independent access

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for what is effectively a small wing made up of two en suite bedrooms.

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One's on the ground floor and the other is directly above,

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but I'll talk about what I've got in mind for that

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once we've seen what's upstairs back in the main part of the house.

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-So, you've got three bedrooms in this side.

-OK.

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-This is one of two potential master bedrooms.

-Right.

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This is a nice room.

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I like the double aspect. It's nice and light.

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Quite high ceilings.

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My one concern would be the very boring fact of storage

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-cos you have an immense amount of clothes and shoes...

-Yeah.

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..as every lady does.

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-So, that...

-I'm glad you said that.

-Yeah!

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..that would be my one concern at the moment.

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It's a good point.

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Now, the current owners have decided to make these three bedrooms

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two good-sized doubles

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and the middle bedroom, they're using as a dressing room.

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Oh, OK. That would work.

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There's a huge family bathroom in the middle as well.

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Now, your guests have the benefit of the guest wing, if you like,

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which is that side of the property

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and there, you've got two double bedrooms, both en suite.

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Fabulous.

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-Perfect for maybe paying guests as well.

-Ah, OK.

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-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Cos it's kind of separate.

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You can just lock the door,

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but also gives your guests a bit of privacy.

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-Yes.

-Let's go outside because there's loads to see there as well.

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-Let me just squeeze past.

-Brilliant.

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Beyond the garden, there's a paddock and a large yard

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with outbuildings providing a perfect setup

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for Sam and Hermione's ponies and inspiration

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for that yet-to-be-conceived home business opportunity.

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-Look at the size of this yard.

-It's fabulous.

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Well, it's all very well and good until you've got to sweep it!

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Well, those looseboxes in there are fantastic.

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You've got an indoor/outdoor yard, which is, I think,

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-what most equestrian lovers have as their dream, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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-And then you see the house there obviously behind you?

-Yeah.

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That's the boundary. So, all in all, you've got just over 2.5 acres.

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-OK, brilliant.

-Oh, wow.

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But how much do you think this place is on the market for?

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-I think around £635,000.

-All right.

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I think it's a little bit more. I think it's about £640,000.

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-Well, this is on the market for offers over £625,000.

-OK.

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So, depending on where the owner wishes to settle,

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-you're both in the ballpark.

-In the right ballpark. Excellent.

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-So, basically, you want that one?

-Yes.

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It's not about the winning or losing,

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from a loser's perspective.

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So, look, go back into the house.

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Have a look at the guest accommodation

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and then come back out and have a look at the outbuildings.

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-I'll see you when you've finished.

-OK, will do. Thanks.

-All right, see you in a mo.

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Well, as I said, great first reactions,

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but what's not to like?

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For a couple looking for their first rural home,

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this is a great start, isn't it?

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£25,000 below Sam and Damian's maximum budget,

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this immaculately renovated farmhouse

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has that wonderful kitchen/diner they loved so much

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and the five bedrooms they're hoping for,

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two of which could work well as B&B accommodation.

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Outside, there's over 2.5 acres of land

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and looseboxes for a couple of ponies for Sam and Hermione.

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My first impressions on arrival just from the outside of the property

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were that it was very well-kept, very well maintained,

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a charming location.

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Yeah, it was very positive indeed.

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-This is a nice room.

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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You've got a great en suite here.

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I could see the potential as a bed and breakfast on a small scale,

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but I think the house probably lends itself better to the family home.

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When I saw the stables, I thought they were fabulously done.

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Really, really lovely. Great storage as well outside.

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Inside with regards to decoration and taste,

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I think there are a few things we would change,

0:15:430:15:45

but on the whole, it's in great condition

0:15:450:15:47

and we'd have to do very little to it.

0:15:470:15:49

-All done inside?

-Yeah, good to look around.

0:15:500:15:53

-Did you enjoy it?

-Yeah, that was great.

0:15:530:15:55

-OK, we've got another one to see today so let's go.

-Great.

0:15:550:15:58

The gorgeous, open, rolling landscape of the Scottish Borders is intrinsically linked

0:16:030:16:08

with a long and fascinating heritage of horse riding.

0:16:080:16:11

In medieval times,

0:16:110:16:13

the Borders were in turmoil from ongoing wars with England

0:16:130:16:15

and raiding, known then as reaving, between rival families.

0:16:150:16:18

Good horses and horsemanship were a way to survive those tumultuous times,

0:16:180:16:23

which locals commemorate today with festivals held here each summer

0:16:230:16:27

known as Common Ridings.

0:16:270:16:29

To find out more, keen rider Sam and husband, Damian,

0:16:300:16:33

who are considering setting up a livery when they move to the area,

0:16:330:16:36

are meeting Steph Robson,

0:16:360:16:38

whose family run an equestrian centre near Selkirk.

0:16:380:16:41

So, what's involved in the Common Ridings?

0:16:410:16:43

It goes back to the times

0:16:430:16:45

when a sort of principal man of the town was appointed

0:16:450:16:48

to lead a team around the boundaries and check that the town was safe.

0:16:480:16:51

And so now we have a sort of principal

0:16:510:16:53

or a king of the festival that's chosen by the local community

0:16:530:16:57

and they sort of lead the festivities for the week.

0:16:570:16:59

There's balls and sports and everything.

0:16:590:17:02

-And a good way to meet people in the local area.

-Yeah, exactly.

0:17:020:17:04

-Absolutely, yes.

-Fabulous.

0:17:040:17:06

So, have you guys done much riding before?

0:17:060:17:08

I've ridden once before and the first time wasn't too pretty,

0:17:080:17:11

but I'm looking forward to trying it again today.

0:17:110:17:13

One of my boyhood heroes was Indiana Jones

0:17:130:17:15

so I'm looking to emulate what he does...hopefully.

0:17:150:17:19

Steph has spent her whole life around horses

0:17:190:17:22

taking part in many of Selkirk's Common Ridings

0:17:220:17:25

and at her very first in 1986, she was the youngest rider there

0:17:250:17:29

led by her dad who himself is a world-class Olympic equestrian.

0:17:290:17:33

So, one of the ideas we had for our move to the country

0:17:330:17:36

would be to buy a property with some stables

0:17:360:17:38

and potentially run a livery yard.

0:17:380:17:40

-Do you think there'd be a market for that in the Borders?

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:17:400:17:43

I know lots of people that keep their horses at livery

0:17:430:17:46

and there's people who have DIY liveries

0:17:460:17:48

where you're literally just offering a stable and storage

0:17:480:17:51

and field access

0:17:510:17:53

right up to full liveries

0:17:530:17:55

where you would be involved in sort of all of the care of the horse

0:17:550:17:59

and the client might just come in to ride.

0:17:590:18:01

As well as establishing what level of service to offer,

0:18:020:18:05

it's worthwhile looking for a location

0:18:050:18:07

where there are existing equine-related businesses,

0:18:070:18:10

like saddleries and farriers,

0:18:100:18:11

because this will help attract clients.

0:18:110:18:14

-Out into the hills.

-Are you OK, Sam?

-Yeah.

0:18:150:18:18

What better way for Damian and Sam to get more acquainted

0:18:210:18:23

with the area they're thinking of moving to

0:18:230:18:26

than to take it in on horseback?

0:18:260:18:28

-Pull on your right rein. That's it. Go on. Give it a tug.

-Walk on.

0:18:280:18:31

-So, how are you feeling, Damian? OK?

-Yeah, feels good.

0:18:310:18:34

Not quite Indiana Jones yet! There's time.

0:18:340:18:37

With an abundance of perfect riding terrain like this,

0:18:370:18:40

it's unsurprising the Borders are known as horse country

0:18:400:18:43

and it's thought there are more horses per head here

0:18:430:18:46

than anywhere else in Scotland.

0:18:460:18:48

So, we're just heading up

0:18:480:18:50

to the Ordnance Survey trig point at the top of the hill.

0:18:500:18:52

Much of the landscape here bears a rich history,

0:18:540:18:56

including Ruberslaw Hill,

0:18:560:18:58

which was once the site of a Roman signal station.

0:18:580:19:01

-Nicely done. And whoa!

-Whoa!

0:19:010:19:05

-You can see the Cheviot Hills.

-Yeah.

0:19:050:19:07

Those go right along the Anglo-Scottish border.

0:19:070:19:10

And then just behind us, you can see the peaks of the Eildons.

0:19:110:19:14

-It's beautiful.

-Yeah, that's awesome.

0:19:140:19:16

-This is beautiful.

-This is why I want to live here, really.

0:19:160:19:19

You want to live here. That'll do.

0:19:190:19:21

-Let's go.

-Walk on.

0:19:220:19:24

It seems their riding experience has only reinforced their decision

0:19:240:19:27

to move to this beautiful part of the world.

0:19:270:19:30

Time, then, to return to our quest of finding them a home here.

0:19:300:19:34

Travelling 20 miles inland,

0:19:390:19:41

the next stop on our search is the village of Leitholm,

0:19:410:19:43

just over an hour's drive from Damian's job

0:19:430:19:45

with the Royal Regiment of Scotland in Penicuik.

0:19:450:19:49

A handy nearby town is Coldstream,

0:19:490:19:51

attractively situated on a stretch of the River Tweed

0:19:510:19:54

that forms a natural border between Scotland and England.

0:19:540:19:57

During the 18th and 19th century, it was infamous as a centre

0:19:580:20:01

for runaway marriages rivalling Gretna Green.

0:20:010:20:04

And there's another aspect to the town's history

0:20:040:20:06

that has particular relevance to our couple

0:20:060:20:08

so I'm taking them on a brief diversion

0:20:080:20:10

before we reveal our next house.

0:20:100:20:12

Well, this is the border.

0:20:130:20:15

Now, I thought for you especially, Damian,

0:20:150:20:17

Coldstream is probably what the name suggests.

0:20:170:20:20

It's apparently where the Coldstream Guards were originated.

0:20:200:20:23

Do you have much rivalry between...?

0:20:230:20:25

There was a lot of rivalry between battalions.

0:20:250:20:28

There's a wry smile going on here!

0:20:280:20:30

But no, they're part of the Guards Division.

0:20:300:20:32

We're a slightly different part of the army.

0:20:320:20:34

You asked us to look for properties for you in the Borders area

0:20:340:20:37

and it doesn't get much more Borders than the border itself,

0:20:370:20:40

-but it's just beautiful here, isn't it?

-It's gorgeous.

0:20:400:20:43

Now, Coldstream, as a town, will be your local town,

0:20:430:20:46

so any rivalries you do have, you'll have to get over it.

0:20:460:20:50

You'll be buying your bottle of milk here, OK?

0:20:500:20:53

Less than a 10-minute drive away

0:20:540:20:55

from those milk purchases is our second house

0:20:550:20:58

and it's Georgian - one of Sam and Damian's preferred styles.

0:20:580:21:02

So, we thought what better for a horsey lover

0:21:030:21:07

than to show them some converted stables?

0:21:070:21:11

It's different-looking. It's not like anything I've seen before, actually.

0:21:110:21:14

-It's a funny-looking building.

-It is.

0:21:140:21:16

-But it's not unattractive, is it?

-No.

0:21:160:21:18

Once again, I don't think you'd feel too isolated here.

0:21:180:21:20

-No, I don't think so.

-No.

-No.

-Let's go inside.

-OK.

0:21:200:21:23

Before the current owners fully renovated the property in 1995,

0:21:250:21:28

the place was pretty much a wreck.

0:21:280:21:30

Part of the work they did involved linking

0:21:300:21:33

what were once two separate stable blocks

0:21:330:21:35

to create one 6,500 square foot home.

0:21:350:21:38

That's almost twice the size of the first house we showed them.

0:21:380:21:41

Okey-doke.

0:21:430:21:45

Now, I think you'll need your imagination with this house

0:21:450:21:47

because this is the new part of the building

0:21:470:21:50

-to connect either side of the stables.

-OK.

0:21:500:21:53

We would probably change a bit of the decor, I think.

0:21:530:21:57

Just to put our own mark on it.

0:21:570:21:58

Yeah, it's a reception room

0:21:580:22:00

and I think it probably could be decorated and set out as such.

0:22:000:22:02

-Yeah, OK.

-All right, great.

0:22:020:22:04

-Let's go into a more original part, which is just through here.

-Great.

0:22:040:22:08

So, everything in this house gives you loads of space.

0:22:090:22:13

It's a great dining room.

0:22:130:22:14

You could get a really nice atmosphere in here

0:22:140:22:16

with a few people sitting at that table.

0:22:160:22:18

Now, any room, in my book, that easily houses a dining room

0:22:180:22:22

with seating for 12 is a decent size.

0:22:220:22:24

This is probably like an officers' mess, isn't it?

0:22:240:22:27

Yeah, it is, actually.

0:22:270:22:28

It's got very much that feel and that's not a bad thing at all.

0:22:280:22:31

There's room to have maybe your breakfast in the kitchen next door.

0:22:310:22:35

-Good-sized kitchen.

-It is. It's not a bad size at all

0:22:350:22:38

and it's good that you can fit a family table in here.

0:22:380:22:41

You're talking about being quite open-minded

0:22:410:22:43

-as to what business you might want to operate.

-Mm-hm.

0:22:430:22:46

Now, this house is 6,500 square foot

0:22:460:22:49

-so we're thinking this is probably more hospitality-based, OK?

-OK.

-B&B.

0:22:490:22:53

Now, one of the benefits there is the fact that you've got

0:22:530:22:56

a good-sized kitchen and a door to shut.

0:22:560:22:59

You don't want diners seeing you cook the breakfast and what have you.

0:22:590:23:02

So, they're sitting in there having their fruit juice and cereal

0:23:020:23:05

while you're in here panicking about the bacon and the poached eggs.

0:23:050:23:09

Yeah, OK.

0:23:090:23:10

-Let's look in the sitting room.

-Right.

0:23:100:23:13

Righty-ho. So, another decent-sized reception room.

0:23:130:23:17

Yeah, it is a big room. It's a nice, big room.

0:23:170:23:19

Nice dual aspect. I think, for me,

0:23:190:23:22

I'm not really getting that feeling that I need to commit.

0:23:220:23:25

You know, as we approached the house from the outside,

0:23:250:23:28

you know, you could see this really nice Georgian stonework

0:23:280:23:31

and for me, I don't think that kind of comes through on the inside

0:23:310:23:35

and I think that's more what we're looking for.

0:23:350:23:38

-It's not produced that sort of whoa, it feels like a home for us.

-Yeah.

0:23:380:23:43

OK, let's go and take a look

0:23:430:23:44

at some of the bedroom accommodation just through here.

0:23:440:23:46

Leaving one of the two original stable blocks,

0:23:490:23:52

we pass back via the central reception room

0:23:520:23:54

that links through to the second block

0:23:540:23:56

where all the bedrooms can be found.

0:23:560:23:57

Now, I think this corridor just gives you a great illustration

0:23:590:24:02

of how much accommodation you've got here.

0:24:020:24:05

Wow. It's long.

0:24:050:24:06

On the ground floor, there are four bedrooms.

0:24:070:24:10

Three are generous doubles, all with en suites,

0:24:100:24:13

and one is a large master suite with its own dressing room.

0:24:130:24:16

Upstairs, at either end of this long wing,

0:24:170:24:19

are two further bedrooms.

0:24:190:24:21

One was once the old hayloft

0:24:210:24:22

and the other was the groom's quarters,

0:24:220:24:24

which is where we're heading now.

0:24:240:24:25

So, what do we make of this one, then?

0:24:270:24:29

Nice, big size. I think it's nice to have that feel

0:24:290:24:33

where you come upstairs to the bedroom as well.

0:24:330:24:35

-You just feel a little bit more separated, don't you?

-Yeah.

0:24:350:24:37

So, six en suite letting bedrooms, you're open for business.

0:24:370:24:41

You wouldn't need to do anything to the bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs.

0:24:410:24:44

They're all pretty much done, ready to go.

0:24:440:24:46

You can see the potential in the place, definitely.

0:24:460:24:49

-I mean, you said you might be interested in doing some sort of equine B&B.

-Yeah.

0:24:490:24:53

For an equine B&B,

0:24:530:24:55

you're going to need some space for the horses, aren't you?

0:24:550:24:57

-Yes.

-You've got that in bundles. Follow me.

-Excellent.

0:24:570:25:00

I think Damian and Sam can see the business potential here,

0:25:020:25:04

but the property seemed to be lacking the X factor for them.

0:25:040:25:08

Perhaps their imagination will be sparked by what's on offer outside,

0:25:080:25:12

where there's plenty of space and a range of good-sized outbuildings,

0:25:120:25:15

some of which could convert rather nicely into stables.

0:25:150:25:18

Now, let's talk land.

0:25:200:25:21

-You get quite a bit of it.

-OK.

-13.5 acres.

0:25:230:25:27

-13.5?

-Yeah.

-Wow.

0:25:270:25:30

Gosh. That's a sizeable plot.

0:25:300:25:32

-That would be enough for a few horses, wouldn't it?

-I think so.

0:25:320:25:36

-A few yurts, even.

-Yeah.

0:25:360:25:38

-The land is lovely, isn't it?

-It is. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:25:380:25:41

How much do you think this is on the market for?

0:25:410:25:45

I think it's difficult to say.

0:25:450:25:47

Given how big the house is and also the enormous amount of land,

0:25:470:25:52

-I'm going to say £615,000.

-£615,000? OK.

0:25:520:25:56

I'll be slightly more conservative and say offers over £600,000.

0:25:560:26:00

Well, this one has been given a guide price

0:26:000:26:03

and that is offers around £650,000.

0:26:030:26:06

-OK.

-OK.

0:26:060:26:08

I think we were kind of keeping a little bit back in the hope...

0:26:080:26:11

Well, cos we would like to do some work to it.

0:26:110:26:14

Why don't you go back into the house, have a good look around -

0:26:140:26:16

it's the last thing we're going to look at today -

0:26:160:26:19

and I'll meet you whenever you're done.

0:26:190:26:20

-Great.

-See you in a mo.

0:26:200:26:22

Well, I can see which way this is going

0:26:230:26:27

and what we've learnt here that first and foremost,

0:26:270:26:30

whatever they buy up here in the Borders,

0:26:300:26:32

it needs to be a home first that gives them that special feeling.

0:26:320:26:35

Matching Sam and Damian's maximum budget of £650,000,

0:26:370:26:41

this grand scale Georgian stable conversion

0:26:410:26:43

would make an excellent equine B&B

0:26:430:26:46

with six en suite bedrooms, a large separate dining area

0:26:460:26:49

and plenty of space outside for the guests' horses.

0:26:490:26:53

With more than 13 acres of land, it would also lend itself well

0:26:530:26:56

to the livery business they're considering.

0:26:560:26:58

The land outside of the property was phenomenal.

0:26:590:27:03

Way in excess of what we expected.

0:27:030:27:06

We could maybe do a DIY livery with a little bit of work to the stables.

0:27:060:27:10

This is probably what we would try and turn into stables.

0:27:100:27:13

Yeah, I think so. It's almost there, isn't it?

0:27:130:27:15

It wouldn't take much conversion at all.

0:27:150:27:17

It's got so many, so many positives, but in terms of the feeling,

0:27:170:27:21

I just didn't get that forever home feeling

0:27:210:27:23

for myself and my family.

0:27:230:27:25

-All done inside?

-Yeah.

-I thought you'd got lost, actually.

0:27:270:27:30

-Did you see the stables?

-Yeah.

-Good.

0:27:300:27:32

All right, now, that's all we're going to do today

0:27:320:27:34

-so let's go back.

-Great.

0:27:340:27:36

It's the second day of our house hunt in the Scottish Borders

0:27:440:27:47

and with a budget of £650,000,

0:27:470:27:49

Damian and Sam are hoping to leave army married quarters

0:27:490:27:52

in Penicuik near Edinburgh

0:27:520:27:54

to find a family home their daughter Hermione can grow up in.

0:27:540:27:58

Still to come, our couple's powers of observation

0:27:580:28:00

are put to the test by the mystery house...

0:28:000:28:03

Just noticed there's a barn behind us.

0:28:030:28:04

Oh, you noticed that, did you? Yeah.

0:28:040:28:06

..and I meet some prickly characters

0:28:060:28:09

at a pioneering marine research station.

0:28:090:28:11

Ooh, you can feel its spikes, can't you?

0:28:110:28:14

-Yes. Yeah, they're very spiky.

-It's amazing.

0:28:140:28:17

Well, I think it's fair to say

0:28:190:28:21

that house number one came out on top for Damian and Sam.

0:28:210:28:23

It seemed to have the right package for them,

0:28:230:28:25

certainly in terms of style internally

0:28:250:28:28

and the property itself.

0:28:280:28:31

But today's mystery house,

0:28:310:28:32

well, we're able to take a slightly oblique view

0:28:320:28:34

of their search criteria.

0:28:340:28:36

So far, we haven't really discussed the fact

0:28:360:28:38

that Damian is going to be away for potentially long periods of time

0:28:380:28:41

and we thought it would be a great idea

0:28:410:28:43

to find Sam the best community possible

0:28:430:28:45

for her not only to get immersed in,

0:28:450:28:47

but also good nurseries and local schools for Hermione.

0:28:470:28:51

She gets that with this property, but unfortunately, of course,

0:28:510:28:54

it comes with a couple of compromises

0:28:540:28:56

and they are a lack of land and a lack of business potential.

0:28:560:29:00

Travelling six miles north, we reach the hamlet of Fogo,

0:29:030:29:07

an hour from the army base in Penicuik

0:29:070:29:09

and the final stop on our search.

0:29:090:29:11

The nearest town a 10-minute drive north is Duns,

0:29:110:29:14

which centres on its appealing Market Square.

0:29:140:29:17

There are plenty of shops here

0:29:170:29:18

as well as nurseries and schooling options for Hermione.

0:29:180:29:22

The town is also thought to be the birthplace of John Duns Scotus,

0:29:220:29:26

one of the most important philosophers of the Late Middle Ages

0:29:260:29:29

who earned the epithet 'subtle doctor'

0:29:290:29:31

because of the penetrating yet refined nature of his thought.

0:29:310:29:35

And some deep thinking might be required of Damian and Sam

0:29:350:29:38

when they view our mystery property,

0:29:380:29:40

a converted coach house five miles from the town.

0:29:400:29:43

-So, pretty house.

-Yeah, it looks good.

0:29:440:29:48

Clean, tidy, traditional at the same time, which is good.

0:29:480:29:51

-Good combination.

-I've noticed there's a barn behind us.

0:29:510:29:54

Oh, you noticed that, did you? Yeah, massive old Dutch barn.

0:29:540:29:58

-That is included.

-OK.

-Oh, right.

0:29:580:30:01

I don't know what you'd use that for.

0:30:010:30:02

-I mean...any ideas?

-Massive gym.

0:30:020:30:06

THEY LAUGH

0:30:060:30:08

-Let's go inside.

-Great.

0:30:080:30:09

This stone coach house was first converted in the 1970s

0:30:120:30:15

and it's been extensively refurbished and extended

0:30:150:30:18

over the years since then.

0:30:180:30:20

Now, I'm hoping you're going to like this -

0:30:200:30:22

-the kitchen/dining area.

-Oh, wow.

0:30:220:30:24

This is a nice space. Very sociable.

0:30:240:30:27

-It feels quite homely to me as well, actually.

-Yeah.

0:30:270:30:30

I'm glad you said that. That's exactly why we brought you here -

0:30:300:30:33

cos it felt like a home, a family home.

0:30:330:30:35

-It definitely does.

-This has a more rustic, farmhousey feel.

0:30:350:30:38

-Obviously, you've got the range there.

-Love that. That's great.

0:30:380:30:41

In the summer, this house faces the south

0:30:410:30:46

so you get loads of light pouring in

0:30:460:30:47

and you can spill out onto the garden,

0:30:470:30:49

-which I think is a lovely feature.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:30:490:30:51

The other side of that range,

0:30:510:30:54

you've got the secondary kitchen, which works as a utility.

0:30:540:30:57

-Good start?

-Definitely. Yeah, yeah.

-It is. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

0:30:570:31:00

-Let me take you into the living room.

-OK.

0:31:000:31:02

-Hoping you're going to like this.

-Wow. Love it.

0:31:020:31:05

I love this living room. It's a great size. It's fab.

0:31:050:31:09

Love these windows. It's really light.

0:31:090:31:11

This is quite sociable as well - the fact that it really works.

0:31:110:31:14

It's big enough to carry the table and the sitting area separately.

0:31:140:31:17

Absolutely. Yeah, that would be fantastic.

0:31:170:31:19

It would be great for entertaining.

0:31:190:31:21

Plus, you're so close to the kitchen as well. Yeah, it's great.

0:31:210:31:23

All right, good stuff. I'm chuffed that you like this space.

0:31:230:31:26

Let me take you upstairs to show you the master bedroom.

0:31:260:31:28

As well as the living room, which has gone down so well,

0:31:300:31:33

there's a cosy sitting room that comes off the central entrance hall.

0:31:330:31:36

Upstairs, there's a spacious family bathroom

0:31:370:31:40

and four bedrooms with built-in storage

0:31:400:31:42

and plenty of windows which flood them with light.

0:31:420:31:46

-One of those is the master suite.

-This is lovely.

0:31:460:31:49

Great light, isn't it? I love these windows.

0:31:490:31:52

The light's coming streaming in, which is great.

0:31:520:31:55

You've got a great-sized en suite, bath and a separate shower

0:31:550:31:58

and then through there,

0:31:580:32:00

you've got a room that's the size of a double bedroom

0:32:000:32:02

but just laid out as a dressing room.

0:32:020:32:04

Fabulous.

0:32:040:32:06

ALL LAUGH

0:32:060:32:08

-Yes, we're cooking now, aren't we?

-I think so.

0:32:080:32:11

There's no B&B here, unless you want someone living in your house.

0:32:110:32:14

-This is, first and foremost, a home for you guys.

-OK.

-OK.

0:32:140:32:19

-Which is where we said our priorities were.

-Yeah, exactly.

0:32:190:32:22

-This is what we don't really want to compromise on so...

-Yeah.

0:32:220:32:25

-Yeah, that suits, really.

-Mm-hm.

0:32:250:32:27

So, why do you think you're reacting as you are doing

0:32:270:32:30

to this house more so than the first house?

0:32:300:32:32

I think it's just got that feeling.

0:32:320:32:34

The feeling that you can't really put your finger on it,

0:32:340:32:36

but it just feels warm and you're getting these fuzzy vibes.

0:32:360:32:39

For me, it's the combination of being cosy,

0:32:390:32:42

which makes it homely, but still got bags of space.

0:32:420:32:46

Let's go outside and talk about

0:32:460:32:48

what comes with the property and the price.

0:32:480:32:50

Let me just squeeze through there.

0:32:500:32:52

The mystery house really seems to have the look

0:32:530:32:56

and more importantly, the feel

0:32:560:32:57

they were hoping for in a family home.

0:32:570:33:00

The only catch is that it doesn't come with a load of land.

0:33:000:33:02

There's around three-quarters of an acre,

0:33:020:33:05

which includes patio areas, raised veggie garden beds,

0:33:050:33:09

a double garage, that massive Dutch barn

0:33:090:33:12

and a wonderful lawned area with fantastic rural views.

0:33:120:33:15

Looks pretty, doesn't it?

0:33:150:33:16

-It is very pretty, yeah.

-It is.

-Gorgeous.

0:33:160:33:18

-What you don't have is land.

-OK.

-All right?

-Yeah.

0:33:180:33:22

-So, no scope for ponies?

-No.

-OK.

0:33:220:33:25

-And it is a perfect family home, isn't it?

-It is.

-It would be ideal.

0:33:250:33:29

-I really like it.

-Even without the land?

0:33:290:33:33

I think that's a decision we'd have to make, wouldn't it?

0:33:330:33:36

You know, is the house strong enough

0:33:360:33:38

for us to then compromise on the land that we originally wanted?

0:33:380:33:42

-Yeah.

-All right.

0:33:420:33:43

How much do you think this place is on the market for?

0:33:430:33:46

Because there isn't much land,

0:33:460:33:48

-although the house is nicely done, I'm going to go £575,000.

-OK.

0:33:480:33:54

Yeah, I think I'll go guide price - £600,000.

0:33:540:33:58

Well, the guide price for this house is £575,000.

0:33:580:34:02

-Well done.

-Oh, wow. Wow.

-Clean sweep.

-Yeah.

0:34:020:34:06

You've got chains to consider maybe a land option

0:34:060:34:09

nearby at a later date.

0:34:090:34:11

-Yeah.

-Bit drizzly. Go back inside for now.

0:34:110:34:13

Have a look around all the other bedrooms

0:34:130:34:15

and obviously, you want to get in that barn, don't you, have a look at it?

0:34:150:34:19

All right, I'll catch you whenever you're finished.

0:34:190:34:22

-OK, thanks.

-See you in a bit.

0:34:220:34:23

Well, looks like the gamble may well have paid off.

0:34:250:34:27

This is very much a home that they can both see themselves in.

0:34:270:34:31

It's unfortunate it hasn't got the land,

0:34:310:34:33

but that's also reflected in the price.

0:34:330:34:35

Below Sam and Damian's budget by a substantial £75,000,

0:34:370:34:41

this attractive converted coach house has four bedrooms,

0:34:410:34:44

the homely, traditional-style kitchen they're after

0:34:440:34:47

and that very generous living room -

0:34:470:34:49

perfect for entertaining visiting family and friends.

0:34:490:34:52

There isn't enough land for yurts or a livery,

0:34:520:34:54

but there is that very large barn.

0:34:540:34:56

-Oh, gosh. This is huge.

-It's a massive space, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:35:010:35:04

I think possibly we could knock it down and extend...

0:35:040:35:08

-The land.

-..the land opportunity,

0:35:080:35:10

which is probably what we'd consider more strongly than having a gym.

0:35:100:35:14

Yes, I think so.

0:35:140:35:16

It's a really, really nice, warm, friendly, sociable family house.

0:35:160:35:20

I think the flow is really nice.

0:35:200:35:22

I can already see Sam and Hermione being here

0:35:220:35:25

when I'm away during the week as well.

0:35:250:35:28

I think they'd be secure here, not isolated

0:35:280:35:32

and the surroundings are just beautiful as well.

0:35:320:35:34

So, has the mystery house set the cat amongst the pigeons?

0:35:360:35:39

-It certainly has, yeah.

-Well, that's good, then.

0:35:390:35:41

It's given you something to think about and compare to the first house.

0:35:410:35:44

-Yeah, definitely.

-Yeah.

0:35:440:35:45

I think we should find you guys somewhere to sit down

0:35:450:35:48

and have a bit of a chat and we'll talk it through later.

0:35:480:35:50

-Yeah, great.

-OK.

0:35:500:35:51

Along the Scottish Borders' craggy and dramatic Berwickshire coastline,

0:35:540:35:58

cold Arctic currents merge with warmer currents from the south,

0:35:580:36:02

helping to create a uniquely rich marine biodiversity.

0:36:020:36:05

And two years ago, in the serene fishing village of St Abbs,

0:36:060:36:10

a charity-run marine station was set up

0:36:100:36:12

to carry out research in the waters here

0:36:120:36:14

with the aim of enhancing the marine environment

0:36:140:36:17

and furthering scientific understanding of the sea.

0:36:170:36:20

Dr Keith Todd, who helped spearhead the organisation,

0:36:200:36:23

is here at the St Abbs Harbour collecting plankton research samples

0:36:230:36:27

and I'm here to join him.

0:36:270:36:28

What are we looking for? What's in this plankton, then?

0:36:300:36:33

We might find fish eggs, fish larvae, little things called arrowworms,

0:36:330:36:38

lots of things that form the basis of the food chain.

0:36:380:36:40

First thing I'm noticing - this water looks incredibly clean.

0:36:400:36:43

It is. The water quality around St Abbs is very good.

0:36:430:36:46

Even after it's been rough and in the summertime,

0:36:460:36:48

-there's some of the best clarity for diving in the country.

-Wow. OK.

0:36:480:36:51

So, we'll take these back, put them in the bucket.

0:36:510:36:53

The marine station, which was once an old fisherman's cottage,

0:36:550:36:58

is equipped with a lab where samples are examined

0:36:580:37:00

to help monitor the health of the local marine environment,

0:37:000:37:03

but also to find clues as to how vulnerable species can be supported.

0:37:030:37:08

This is a live view of the plankton samples that we've just taken.

0:37:110:37:14

So, what can we tell by studying this environment, then?

0:37:140:37:17

We can select certain species

0:37:170:37:19

that are important as a food source for other species

0:37:190:37:22

and culture them up en masse

0:37:220:37:23

and then use them to feed some of the animals

0:37:230:37:26

that we're trying to work with.

0:37:260:37:27

We're looking to be able to breed the spiny lobster or crawfish.

0:37:270:37:31

Which is this fellow here?

0:37:310:37:32

The numbers are in decline so we're hoping to come up with techniques

0:37:320:37:35

to rear them in captivity

0:37:350:37:37

and one of the things that we need to do is find the correct plankton,

0:37:370:37:39

the correct species of plankton, that they will feed on.

0:37:390:37:42

If you can find out the right food, maybe that we're viewing here,

0:37:420:37:47

-then, further down the line, we might see more of these?

-Right.

0:37:470:37:49

We've got to go out and go shopping for the right baby food for the crawfish.

0:37:490:37:53

The spiny lobster was once plentiful along the west coast of Scotland,

0:37:550:37:58

but since the 1970s, numbers have steadily decreased

0:37:580:38:02

and they've now been identified as a threatened species.

0:38:020:38:05

The reason for the decline is unclear,

0:38:060:38:09

but it's thought tangle net fishing practices

0:38:090:38:11

could be partly responsible

0:38:110:38:12

because their spiky bodies are easily caught up in the mesh.

0:38:120:38:16

What is the difference between these lobsters here

0:38:170:38:20

and the lobsters that generally we might find, well, on our plate?

0:38:200:38:24

Sure. Common lobster has a big set of claws that we're all familiar with.

0:38:240:38:28

These guys don't have that.

0:38:280:38:29

So, actually, they're not as aggressive to each other.

0:38:290:38:31

They tend to live socially in the wild

0:38:310:38:33

so you'll find numbers of them together,

0:38:330:38:35

whereas the common lobsters would be individual, under one rock

0:38:350:38:38

and defend that rock quite heavily

0:38:380:38:40

and that's why these ones are actually more difficult to rear.

0:38:400:38:43

Through research carried out here at the marine station,

0:38:450:38:47

they're hoping to develop ways of rearing spiny lobsters

0:38:470:38:50

and other at-risk species in significant numbers

0:38:500:38:53

so they can be released into the wild

0:38:530:38:55

to boost struggling populations.

0:38:550:38:57

Now, all of these look quite active, actually,

0:38:580:39:00

apart from this fellow here.

0:39:000:39:02

Is he recently deceased or...?

0:39:020:39:03

No, he's not deceased. That's an old cast skin.

0:39:030:39:07

-So, that's not actually a lobster?

-That's its old skin, yeah.

0:39:070:39:09

-Can I have a look at it?

-Yeah, certainly.

0:39:090:39:11

They can't grow like a normal fish. They have to shed their old skin.

0:39:130:39:17

This gap here, this is where the lobster has split the shell

0:39:170:39:20

and the actual animal has come out.

0:39:200:39:22

So, how often would it cast its skin?

0:39:220:39:24

When they're very small, several times a year.

0:39:240:39:26

As they grow, they cast fewer and fewer times.

0:39:260:39:29

-Can I have a closer look?

-Of course.

0:39:290:39:31

You can feel its spikes, can't you?

0:39:310:39:33

Yes. Yeah, they're very spiky.

0:39:330:39:35

-It looks totally intact. It's amazing.

-Yeah.

0:39:350:39:39

Well, I wish you the very best of luck.

0:39:390:39:41

-I hope you find their favourite food very soon.

-Yes, so do I.

0:39:410:39:44

Thank you very much, Keith. It's been fascinating.

0:39:440:39:46

-I wish you the best of luck.

-No problem. Thank you. Thanks.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye.

0:39:460:39:50

Well, with property number one

0:39:520:39:53

and the mystery house both getting great reactions,

0:39:530:39:56

I don't think it's going to be a particularly easy decision

0:39:560:39:59

for Sam or Damian to make.

0:39:590:40:00

Time to catch up with them and find out their thoughts.

0:40:000:40:03

Now, in my mind, I think we can forget about the second property.

0:40:080:40:12

It wasn't to your taste.

0:40:120:40:13

It seems to me like it's a toss-up

0:40:130:40:15

between the first house we saw and the mystery house.

0:40:150:40:19

-Am I right?

-I think you're right.

0:40:190:40:20

I think with a kind of sway

0:40:200:40:22

possibly towards the mystery house, if I'm honest.

0:40:220:40:25

-Would you?

-Yeah.

-Both of you?

-I think so.

0:40:250:40:29

The main reason for that is that the house felt more of a home

0:40:290:40:33

and that's become our priority.

0:40:330:40:34

It just had that extra family feel

0:40:340:40:38

-that, you know, is difficult to replicate.

-Yeah.

0:40:380:40:42

I think the only downside with the third property

0:40:420:40:45

was the fact that it didn't have the stables

0:40:450:40:47

and it's the old kind of cliche, isn't it?

0:40:470:40:49

If you could take part of house one and add it to the mystery house,

0:40:490:40:53

I think we would pretty much have our perfect home.

0:40:530:40:56

Second viewing?

0:40:560:40:57

-Potentially. I think so.

-Yeah.

0:40:580:41:00

I would think we need a proper discussion first

0:41:000:41:02

-just to make sure that we've got our priorities correct.

-Yeah.

0:41:020:41:06

I think that's the other thing.

0:41:060:41:07

It can be quite confusing cos you think you go in with a set of,

0:41:070:41:10

"This is what we want" and then as the search kind of grows,

0:41:100:41:13

your priorities become re-evaluated, almost.

0:41:130:41:16

I kind of, at the end of the mystery house, I was like,

0:41:160:41:18

"Ooh, I'm a bit confused as to what I think I want as well, almost."

0:41:180:41:22

Just to play devil's advocate, if we hadn't shown you the mystery house,

0:41:220:41:26

would you be going back to the first property for a second viewing?

0:41:260:41:29

-I think probably. Probably, yes.

-I think yes.

-Yeah.

0:41:290:41:33

Well, if you go back to the mystery house for a second viewing, you should go back to the first one.

0:41:330:41:37

Well, look, it's a very interesting journey

0:41:370:41:41

we've all come along together.

0:41:410:41:42

Maybe we may have found the property.

0:41:420:41:45

If not, we're certainly a lot closer to finding it in the future.

0:41:450:41:48

-Definitely, yeah.

-Yeah, absolutely.

0:41:480:41:50

Well, I wish you both the best of luck

0:41:500:41:51

and whatever happens, please let us know, won't you?

0:41:510:41:53

-Will do.

-Will do.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:41:530:41:55

Well, it can often be confusing for housebuyers

0:42:000:42:02

when they're looking to make their very first escape to the country

0:42:020:42:05

and then they try and bolt on extra aspects to their search,

0:42:050:42:09

which, in Damian and Sam's case,

0:42:090:42:10

was this enterprise or business side of things.

0:42:100:42:13

So, I'm really happy they've decided to focus

0:42:130:42:15

on what's really important to them, which, of course, is the family home

0:42:150:42:19

and potentially, at least, some land.

0:42:190:42:21

And, in focusing themselves,

0:42:210:42:23

they've managed to find the mystery property really does rather suit them.

0:42:230:42:27

They reacted so well to it and if, on second viewing,

0:42:270:42:31

they decide that they really must have a couple of acres of land,

0:42:310:42:34

then I hope they heed my advice and reconsider the first property.

0:42:340:42:38

It certainly has everything they said they're after on paper.

0:42:380:42:41

I'm looking forward to finding out what they decide to do next

0:42:410:42:43

and I'm sure, just like me, you wish them both the very best of luck.

0:42:430:42:47

See you next time.

0:42:470:42:48

If you're planning to escape to the country in England,

0:42:500:42:52

Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland

0:42:520:42:54

and would like our help, you can apply online at:

0:42:540:42:56

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