Community-owned mansion's funding package complete

Haining House in the Borders was left to the community 15 years ago

A community-owned mansion in the Borders which was saved from collapse has secured the final piece of support needed for its £3.75m upgrade.

The Haining Charitable Trust (HCT) has received £600,000 from Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

Haining House near Selkirk was bequeathed to a charitable trust in 2009 by the late Andrew Nimmo-Smith.

Renovations works had to be accelerated on the property after structural surveys last year showed parts of the 18th Century building were at risk of collapsing.

The building was saved from collapse

The HCT has looked after the property and its 160 acres of loch-side woodland and parkland since 2009.

The main house is set to become a hub for the community, hosting events, exhibitions and weddings.

It is hoped the category A-listed Palladian Georgian villa - first built in 1794 and later remodelled - could support up to 10 jobs.

The refurbishment started in 2019 but had to be sped up when extensive dry rot was discovered.

It is hoped the estate can create about 10 jobs for the area

Michelle Ballantyne, chief executive officer and trustee of the HCT said: "Haining House and the wider estate is being developed as a place for everyone and over the last 14 years it has cemented its role in Selkirk and the wider community.

"Sadly, despite its popularity, the house was no longer structurally safe, and it has taken a significant amount of work and a great deal of support to bring it back to life.

"Securing funding through SIS was the last piece of the puzzle in this huge project and without the additional boost, we would struggle to complete the works and have the doors open in time for next year's season."

It hopes to open its diary for wedding bookings and launch a programme of events "very soon".

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS, added: "We visited the Haining Estate earlier this summer and it was truly impressive to see what has been achieved to date."

He said the redevelopment plus an additional marquee would provide a "spectacular community asset for many years to come".