Thornhill, Dumfriesshire

Holmhill House Thornhill | Dumfriesshire | DG3 4AB

HOLMHILL HOUSE

Holmhill is a superb and beautifully situated Georgian property set in approximately 6 acres of glorious grounds, with impressive open views over the River Nith to the Keir hills to the west.

Holmhill dates from around 1760 when the first recorded occupant was Charles Douglas and his family. The house was ‘left to him in liferent’ by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Charles Douglas was Surveyor General of Salt Duties and Chamberlain to the Duke of Buccleuch. He was also the son of William Douglas of Fingland, the likely author of ‘Annie Laurie’.

From 1859, after the last of Douglas’s children died (aged 100), the house was occupied by Dr James Russell and his wife. They were great friends of Jane Welsh Carlyle, wife of the philosopher Thomas Carlyle, and a well published letter writer in her own right. She was a frequent visitor to Holmhill describing it in one of her letters to her husband as the ‘most beautifullest house’. Reputedly, Thomas Carlyle himself had a favourite spot in the garden at Holmhill to which he would retire to smoke his long churchwarden pipe.

KEY FEATURES • • • • • • • • • •

Superb Georgian family home Idyllic rural location, and yet within walking distance of Thornhill’s local amenities 3.23 acre paddock; approximately 6 acres in all Charming, sheltered courtyard with various outbuildings Main house has 5 bedrooms, all with en-suites Run as a 5 star B&B from 2011 to 2019 Additional detached two-bedroom cottage High level of privacy with outstanding views Generous garden to include area of woodland and walled garden Excellent road and rail links within easy reach

The main house has been thoughtfully updated by the present owners and enjoys a private, elevated position accessed by two driveways. The property offers original features to include stair balustrade, doors, fireplaces and sash and case windows, with working shutters to nearly every room. The present owners have also developed the garden, opening it up and introducing new and attractive features.

Holmhill has been sympathetically converted over recent years, providing flexible and substantial accommodation with further scope for sub-division, and/or continued use of the successful existing detached holiday cottage, which is located in the courtyard. There are a range of outbuildings to provide general storage and housing the biomass boiler and wood pellet store.

Primary access to the house is gained via front driveway, which culminates in a turning circle. Glazed double doors open into a welcoming and generous reception hall, with sweeping staircase rising to the first floor.

There are three flexible use reception rooms to be found. The beautiful sitting room enjoys a dual aspect with fabulous views and direct access to the terrace and garden. There is a charming window seat, built in display shelving and an attractive wood burning stove set within a marble mantelpiece. The adjacent dining room is a wonderful space to entertain in, with large window to the front elevation, display recesses and a wood burning stove set within a marble fireplace. To the eastern end of the ground floor, and adjacent to the kitchen, is a great playroom/living room, with wood effect flooring, a dual aspect and a wood burning stove.

The kitchen offers an excellent range of fitted units with electric fired Aga, induction hob and oven, two sinks, and space for a dishwasher and fridge/freezer. There is a central island with breakfast bar and a large window to the front elevation, with window seat below.

The ground floor double bedroom enjoys superb views to the hills and boasts built in wardrobes. There is a modern shower room adjacent, which can be closed off from the hall, thus creating an en-suite facility for the ground floor bedroom.

There is a useful utility/boot room and separate pantry, and a generous cloakroom/WC. In addition, there is a rear vestibule with paved stone floor, giving access to the rear courtyard.

Holmhill’s first floor can be accessed by either of the two staircases. The principal staircase leads up to a bright and spacious landing with seating area and views over the paddock. There is a boxroom providing storage. The two double bedrooms accessed via this staircase are generous in size and enjoy ample natural light via their large windows. Both bedrooms enjoy spacious en-suite bathrooms, with free standing rolltop baths and separate showers. A hidden door from one of the bathrooms leads through to an inner landing, where two further double bedrooms (both with en-suite shower rooms) can be found. The secondary staircase then leads back down from this second landing to the ground floor. The configuration of the upstairs layout easily lends itself to being B&B accommodation, which the property has been run as in the past.

In all, the property extends to approximately 4,000 square feet.

Cottage: This charming detached single storey cottage is presently being run as a successful self-catering holiday let, achieving between £450 - £800 per week depending on the time of year. Converted from the former stables, it offers bright and modern doubleglazed accommodation with high quality fixtures and fittings.

The entrance opens into a lovely open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room. The kitchen area comprises a range of modern fitted units with sink, electric hob and oven, integrated fridge/freezer and dishwasher. There is an attractive wood burning stove in a sandstone surround, views to the hills and double, glazed doors opening to the patio and garden, as well as a large window looking out to the courtyard.

There are two double bedrooms, both with built in wardrobes, and one with an ensuite shower room and direct access to the garden. The main shower room, which is adjacent to the second bedroom, has a generous walk-in shower, and completes the accommodation.

Outside The property has one main entrance from the road (B731), which then splits and either culminates in a gravelled turning circle and parking area to the front of the house or a large, tarmac courtyard to the rear, with ample parking and turning and access to the outbuildings.

Holmhill is set in approximately 2 acres of beautifully tended garden grounds, boasting open views to the Carsphairn and Scaur hills. The grounds include expansive lawned areas, paved patios, mature shrubs and established borders and trees, a walled garden with fruit trees, a small pond, and an area of woodland (0.88 acres). There is a stone-built store (former ice house), potting shed, and direct access to the paddock (3.23 acres).

The paddock is fenced, with roadside access or access from the garden grounds, and has a water supply.

Local Area Holmhill enjoys a private and rural position in the heart of the Dumfriesshire countryside yet is still within a short walk from the thriving village of Thornhill.

Various amenities can be found in Thornhill including a wide variety of retail units to include clothes shops, a pharmacy, hairdressers, gift shops, cafes, food stores and pubs/hotels. There is also a garage, petrol station and a small cottage hospital.

Wallace Hall Academy in Thornhill incorporates secondary, primary and nursery education.

Dumfries (approximately 15 miles south) offers a full range of facilities and amenities including a university campus and an excellent hospital.

The area is well known for salmon and trout fishing in the River Nith and its tributaries, also for its hill walking opportunities. There is also fantastic horse riding, hiking and mountain biking available on the doorstep. The spectacular Drumlanrig Castle, home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry is close by with extensive grounds, gardens and frequent guided tours of its historic buildings as well as annual events such as the Galloway Country Show.

There are other close transport links with Junction 15 of the M74 a short drive away and Edinburgh and Glasgow are easily reached. The M6 and M74 networks are also accessible at Moffat, Gretna and Lockerbie.

Directions From the south, proceed north on the A76 from Dumfries for 12.4 miles, then take a left turn onto the B731 (signposted Moniaive, Penpont). Holmhill is the only house on the left hand side, before the T junction onto the A702.

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INFORMATION Services: House: Mains electricity, mains water supply, radiators heated by water from biomass boiler, private drainage to septic tank (registered with SEPA).

Broadband – currently supplied by Vodafone. We advise anyone wishing to check the broadband speed to use the following website: https://checker.ofcom. org.uk/ Cottage: Mains electricity, mains water supply, oil fired central heating, private drainage to septic tank (registered with SEPA). Broadband – currently supplied

by Vodafone. We advise anyone wishing to check the broadband speed to use the following website: https://checker.ofcom.org.uk/ Fixtures and fittings: Certain items may be available by separate negotiation.

Local Authority: Dumfries & Galloway Council –Council Tax Band H (House).

The cottage is presently rated for business use, with 100% small business rate relief.

EPC: E (main house), C (cottage) Home Report: A copy of the Home Report is available on request from Fine & Country South Scotland.

Offers: All offers should be made in Scottish Legal Form to the offices of the sole selling agents, Fine & Country South Scotland by email to southscotland@ fineandcountry.com Viewings: Strictly by appointment with the sole selling agents, Fine & Country South Scotland.

Registered in England & Wales. Company No: 09714713. Registered Office Address: Mart Office Townfoot, Longtown, Carlisle, England, CA6 5LY. Trading As: Fine & Country South Scotland copyright © 2024 Fine & Country Ltd.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 19.02.2024

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