A contribution from Rachel
Saughtree is small, very small. The hamlet can be found just a few km north of Newcastleton and 28 km south of Hawick in beautiful Liddesdale in the Scottish Borders. It is not only small but also very, very quiet. If you’re looking for a place to “get away from it all” Saughtree will definitely fit the bill.
Within easy reach are the great ruins of Hermitage Castle and of course Melrose Abbey and Jedburgh Abbey, both ruins as well!
In 1989, my parents Geoff and Meg purchased the abandoned railway station (from over 200 bids!). The track and rolling stock was all obtained by my father and his contacts locally and from around the country. They subsequently restored the station building to a habitable condition, installing electricity and water.
I am one of Geoff’s daughters. Together with my husband Rob I run this (I’m still tickled with the whole setup) rather unique bed & breakfast.
Saughtree railway station, sitting in superb, remote and sparsely populated countryside, lies on the disused Border Counties Railway which once linked the Newcastle and Carlisle railway near Hexham with the Border Union railway at Riccarton Junction.
The line was opened in 1862 and closed in 1956. Refurbished and extended, the former station with the platform-rooms (more romantic than you might think) provides very comfortable guest accommodation for walkers, cyclists and
.....everyone else. A third of a mile of track has been laid on which sits an orinal Ruston ‘diesel shunter’ (called Meg!), two wagons and a guard's van. There is also a platform bench (you might have a long wait) and platelayers hut.
The old station (19th century) sits high on a ridge due to the now demolished Saughtree Railway Viaduct and offers superb views of the Liddesdale countryside.
For a truly restful stay in the heart of the Scottish Borders this B&B is without a doubt the perfect choice. I'm not the only one saying that, as our B&B seems to touch many a heartstring. Guests have developed a real connection with Saughtree, the magnificent setting and with us personally. We’re very fortunate indeed. For detailed information: saughtreestationbb.co.uk
Rachel
Dirk: I can full heartedly endorse all that Rachel says. We passed through Liddesdale a few years back and this B&B is a great place to rest your head!
Just watch the underneath video!
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