Old Belford House, Belford on Bowmont

Late 17th century 2 storey laird's house on a T-plan with a crowstepped gable to the north east. A lower central wing extends from the north west elevation. Built in harled rubble, the house was previously gutted and adapted for use as a stable. The steeply pitched roof is now covered by a green corrugated-iron roof. Old Belford House is a rare and interesting survival of a 17th century Laird´s House. It is situated in a remote valley in the one of the southernmost parts of Roxburghshire and forms a picturesque group with the adjacent farm buildings. At the time of the New Statistical Account it was the property of Sir John Scott Douglas of Belford and it was perhaps he who abandoned the old house and built the new one a few hunded metres to the South in the early 19th century, the new house being identifiable on Crawford & Brooke´s map of 1843. Despite the loss of many of its features Old Belford still has considerable presence. At the time of listing (2007) it was in use as a store. It has probably been used as a barn since the 19th century. (Historic Scotland)

August 1993: External inspection reveals the house to be in poor condition, though the walls remain intact. The major part of the ground floor has recently been renovated and converted into a craft studio, although the upper floors remain derelict. SCT understands that the present owner, a Mr Peter Mather, would like to restore if funds were available. October 1995: The owner reports that repair and maintenance works have been carried out, including the boarding up of windows, the repair of downpipes, and birdproofing. The external walls will be re-pointed and harled next year. The owner does not wish to sell the property as it is situated in the centre of his working farm. January 2000: No change reported. August 2001: The Cockburn Conservation Trust reports that the house is wind and watertight, although harl to the main block is now badly decayed. March 2004: Local planners report that they have visited the house. The owner intends to undertake repairs to the crack in the main gable in Spring 2004. He has renewed the rainwater goods. The house is now wind and watertight.

May 2009: During a site visit by SCT, it was not possible to gain direct access to the site as the owner was not present. However, views of the building from the public road suggest that the building remains wind and watertight.

August 2011: Limited external inspection possible as owner not present. Would seem that dampness is an issue, but otherwise seems wind and water tight. Possibly in an agricultural related use.