Bellevue House was built in 1840 for the advocate, poet, angler and writer Thomas Tod Stoddart. In his day he was a ‘well kent’ character, striding out with his fishing-rods and net over his shoulder and a dog at his heel.

The property has been extended and completely renovated to an exceptional standard while retaining its period features and now provides bright, versatile, and well-proportioned accommodation.

Some of the many original features include Victorian tiled flooring in the hall, original fireplaces and ornate plaster cornices in some of the rooms, an ornate leaded window in the first floor skylight and glazed leaded inner panels on either side of the front door.

Mark Paton of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “This is arguably the best location in Kelso as it is exceptionally quiet but also close to the town centre and lovely riverside walks. Bellevue House offers great potential to run a premium guesthouse, as the current owners have done very successfully, or to create a self-contained annexe for visiting family and friends, or equally to enjoy the house as an outstanding family home of great charm and character.”

The substantial accommodation includes: dining room, drawing room/lounge, study, kitchen, seven bedrooms, garden room, and utility room. Six of the bedrooms have an en-suite shower room, while the seventh bedroom has an en-suite shower room and bath.

The kitchen has been adapted as a professional kitchen, with a six burner Rangemaster stove and double oven with appropriate commercial extraction system and a larder area.

Bedroom seven on the ground floor is currently used as the owner’s quarters with a dressing room, built in wardrobes, en-suite shower, bath and WC, all recently redecorated.

The garden room and utility room could be configured to provide a self-contained apartment with its own access from the rear of the house, if desired. This part of the property incorporates a fireproof corner area and ceiling to facilitate the installation of a multi fuel stove.

There is a tool storeroom accessed from the garden by the rear gate which has electric lighting installed.

There are two a timber sheds, one housing the Biomass pellet boiler and water accumulator. (The property also has mains gas supply).

The existing owners have run the property as an up-market guest house. Under previous ownership the property had a licence for the sale of alcohol which, subject to the usual conditions, could be reinstated. The property is currently rated as business and domestic and therefore only partial domestic Council Tax is payable.

Kelso is arguably the most attractive of the Borders towns, positioned at the confluence of the Rivers Tweed and Teviot and surrounded by lovely countryside.

The rivers are a 5-minute walk from the property enabling the purchaser to enjoy river walks directly from the doorstep.

Kelso has an excellent range of social and sporting facilities as well as a new high school.

Edinburgh is an hour’s drive away and Newcastle Airport is 90 minutes’ drive.  There are railway stations at Tweedbank (16 miles), Galashiels (18 miles) and Berwick upon Tweed (24 miles).

Kelso has a celebrated festival of events every summer including the Common Ridings and the historic ‘Declaration of the Kelso Laddie’. The countryside around Kelso offers great opportunities for many outdoor pursuits including cycling on quiet roads and hillwalking in the nearby Cheviots.

Bellevue House, Kelso, is for sale through Galbraith for offers over £675,000.