760 acres of peace and quiet in the Scottish Borders, with only eagles, ospreys and falcons for company
Get lost in the scenery at Talla Farm.


The temptation to run away from it all is never that far away. Every monday morning, that alarm goes off, your freedom is rescinded, and the urge to vanish can overwhelm. How did we get here? Who gazed upon the great glories of our natural world: the trees, the oceans, the soaring eagles and the leaping salmon and decided that the best use of our time was meetings on Zoom?
We should find whoever that person is and hold them responsible. I imagine they will be difficult to find, if not already dead. In the absence of finding the root of the evil, perhaps it is more sensible to find some medicine to treat it. Medicine such as a 762 acre estate in the Scottish Borders, perhaps.
Something like Talla Farm should do. It’s near Tweedsmuir, and you can buy a four-bedroom farmhouse and all that land for offers over £1.1 million from Galbraith. You could wake up on a Monday morning and be among the salmons and the eagles. You’ll probably still have to do emails and the like, but at least you’ll have something nice to look at.
Situated on the edge of the Talla Reservoir, the farm enjoys a secluded position and pretty delicious views all around. There are lots of things to see and to do, such as golf, walking, mountain biking and splashing about in a reservoir.
The farmhouse itself is a relatively plain blank canvas of four bedrooms. It has plenty of space and all the modern comforts and conveniences you could need. There is no point over-indulging on the interiors in a place such as this, because, look outside.
Outbuildings include a sheep/store shed, dog kennels and a large yard. There is scope to develop all of these, with the necessary consents. As for the land, there is 760 acres of that, which is made up of a mix of in-bye pasture, hill ground and broadleaved woodland. There are, according to the agents, black grouse, golden eagles, osprey and peregrine falcons to look at. Heaven.
Situation-wise, Tweedsmuir is four miles away, Broughton is 12 miles to the north and Edinburgh is 40 miles away. The property is offered as a whole or in three lots.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The 'best of both worlds' in a 16th century house with Georgian façade and sprawling grounds with lake and stables
All houses change a little over their lifetimes — and some end up unrecognisable as the centuries pass. Penny Churchill takes
A grand country house in Yorkshire that effortlessly blends the 1720s with the 2020s
Dougill Hall offers space, gorgeous architecture and just the right amount of modern style. Penny Churchill takes a look.

James Fisher is the Deputy Digital Editor of Country Life. He writes about property, travel, motoring and things that upset him. He lives in London.
-
‘To this day, it is as attractive as when Hercules first laid eyes on it’: How to escape the crowds on the Amalfi Coast, according to those in the know
The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famed holiday destinations, but, in recent years, mass tourism has made parts of it unbearable. Here’s our guide to making the most of it — in peace and in style.
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
The garden created by a forgotten genius of the 1920s, rescued from 'a sorry state of neglect to a level of quality it has not known for over 50 years'
George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design at Knowle House, East Sussex, has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting. George Plumptre tells more; photography by Clive Nichols.
By George Plumptre Published
-
A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family home
Hadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new owner
In the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published