Linen House & The Scott Apartment

Set on a deep meander of the river Tweed, where it collides with the river Teviot, the bustling market town of Kelso is as rich in history and architectural merit as it is in contemporary urban appeal. Home to the remains of what was once the mightiest monastery in the Scottish Borders, visitors to Kelso will also discover two stately homes (including the magnificent Floors Castle & Gardens), a graceful five-arched bridge that served as the model for London's Waterloo Bridge, and Scotland’s largest market square.

Fanning out from the square, streets lined with grand Georgian and Victorian buildings house atmospheric pubs, lively coffee shops, independent shops and diverse restaurants. Further home to two excellent butchers’ shops, a fishmonger, several bakeries, a thoroughbred horse racing venue and annual art and folk festivals, Kelso really does offer something for every visitor.

For all its prominence as a Borders town, the cobbled Kelso Square has a distinctly continental feel to it: thriving market stalls, with their brightly striped awnings, fill the square for the monthly Farmers’ market, which is flanked by grand, Italianate-style buildings. Amongst these is the Grade II listed former British Linen Bank building. Dating to the mid 19^th-century, the impressive townhouse has been sensitively restored and redeveloped to create the sumptuous five-bedroom Linen House and The Scott Apartment.

Stepping off Kelso Square, a private access door and double-turn staircase lead to a first-floor hallway with soaring ceilings and intricate architrave mouldings and cornicing, setting the tone for the exceptional quality of this coveted townhouse. The first floor provides ample living space for guests with a light-filled drawing room overlooking Kelso Square that blends an original slate fireplace and antique furnishings with superbly comfy sofas.

A separate sitting room offers guests an alternative spot for reading the morning papers, enjoying sundowners or playing a game of chess by the towering sash window overlooking the cobbled Oven Wynd lane that leads to the River Tweed. In keeping with a property that’s been freshly renovated to the highest specifications, there’s also a cosy snug with a Smart TV and PS4 games console.

Still on this floor, the top-spec designer kitchen features large twin windows from which to enjoy the comings and goings of life in the town square below while you take breakfast at the island bar or enjoy convivial group meals at the large dining table, which comfortably seats up to twelve guests.

Moving up to the second floor with another dramatic double-turn staircase, you’ll find four generously appointed bedrooms. Combining original period features such as decorative period fireplaces and shuttered sash windows, each of these spacious bedrooms boasts supremely comfy beds, sweeping views of the town and a smart en suite bathroom or shower room.

For groups of friends or family requiring additional space or privacy, the Linen House incorporates The Scott Apartment by way of a connecting door that leads from the snug of the former into the sitting room of the latter.

The open plan living space follows a striking black and yellow colour scheme set by the vivid Bumble Bee yellow of the glossy designer kitchen. When taking the entire townhouse, guests have the significant benefit of having two kitchens at their disposal, which is particularly ideal when entertaining visitors or enlisting the help of professional caterers.

Set on the second floor, a further spacious bedroom features a super king bed and a palatial en suite bathroom with a slipper bathtub and walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead.

For smaller parties, the property can be let as two individual apartments, with Linen House sleeping up to ten guests, and The Scott Apartment sleeping up to four.