URGENT action is required to preserve the future of a historic coach house and former knitwear factory at a castle near Hawick.
Buccleuch Estates has submitted a bid to the Scottish Borders Council in support of a Listed Building Consent application for a replacement roof structure to the Coach House at Branxholme Castle Steading.
The A-listed castle dates back to the earliest part of the 15th century and is located approximately three miles south-west of the market town of Hawick.
The steading buildings, including the Coach House, are presumed to have been built around 1837, at the same time as the castle was remodelled.
The buildings and Coach House were extensively altered in the 1970s and converted into a knitwear factory and shop.
In the 1990s the buildings were further altered and the knitwear factory and shop were replaced by an arts studio, shop and cafe.
The buildings became vacant in the mid-2000s and, since then, have been used intermittently for storage and as a workshop.
In March 2025, Listed Building Consent was granted by SBC to remove the existing Coach House roof and cap the wall heads.
A timescale of eight years for its reinstatement was agreed, but following a review and allocation of funding, Buccleuch Estates is now seeking permission to replace the roof structure sooner than anticipated in order to preserve the Coach House building.
A report states: “The aim of this proposal is to replace the existing Coach House roof with a new roof structure in order to ensure the architectural preservation of the building for the future.
“The building is in very poor condition and the majority of the existing roof structure has started to collapse into the building. There is currently no safe access to the building.
“This application seeks permission for a new hip roof structure with Velux conservation roof lights. In order to try to keep costs within available budget, it is proposed that the crown flat roof structure and flat roof dormers will not be reinstated. These were not original features of the building and later additions in the 1970’s.
“The heritage impact of the proposed works have been carefully considered and the proposed replacement roof structure will have a positive impact on the building’s heritage.
“The proposals will provide significant improvement to the weather-proofing and longevity of the building as well as improving the appearance of the overall courtyard.”
