Monday November 2nd 2026
Spottiswoode House
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Councillors today gave their unanimous support for a new rural tourism destination at a late 18th century property in a Scottish Borders village.
An application was submitted to Scottish Borders Council for the change of use of stables to form three self-catering apartments at Spottiswoode House in Gordon.
The bid also includes the formation of an office from former dog kennels.
Spottiswoode House, built in 1796, is a traditional stone built house, with now derelict out-buildings on each side of the main house forming a courtyard in the centre.
The overall plan is to create a high quality accommodation destination that is “eco-friendly, nature-focused and wellness-centred”.
Six objections to the plan were submitted to SBC, citing such issues as negative impact on residential amenities as a result of increased traffic, road safety, light and noise pollution.
Opponents expressed the view that the plans would have a negative impact on the natural environment, including protected species, with the “destruction of vital habitats”.
Concerns were also raised that trees had been felled to form the car park.
But when members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee met on Monday, November 2, they enthusiastically approved a recommendation to rubber-stamp the application after hearing a statement from the applicant, Angus Brock.
Councillor Donald Moffat congratulated the applicants for “going the extra mile” to address concerns raised around the application.
He stated: “They have tried to make this sympathetic to what is there. As they have said themselves it is their home so they are not going to want a lot of anti-social behaviour right where they are living.
“To me everything I have heard about this proposal is a plus for the area. The local community council, they always take these things very seriously, and they are totally convinced that this is a good idea for using the footprint of the existing buildings and doing it the way it is being proposed.
“I know there one or two people with reservations but I think a lot of problems have been resolved. Not everybody is happy about change but I think this is change for the better and an asset to the local community. I fully support this.”
Councillor Sandy Scott, agreed, adding: “The community council is saying that the applicant is making ‘sympathetic alterations to allow the building to retain historical features’, that they are also being highly energy-efficient with the use of solar panels and under-floor air source heating as well as re-slating the barn.
“Other benefits for the local community include local tradesmen, labour and supply chain – I can’t disagree to anything there.”
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