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 Every monday morning, that alarm goes off, your freedom is rescinded, and the urge to vanish can overwhelm.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.
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.
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopterPenny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
-
Marilyn, maraschino cherries and classic movie musicals await you in Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 29, 2025Friday's quiz puts your cocktail knowledge to the test.
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopter
Penny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
-
Splendid isolation at four gorgeous properties for sale around the worldFor those craving a home that offers a true escape from the world, some wonderful properties are on the market right now. Here's our pick of some of the finest — ideal for nature lovers, those in search of tranquility and Bond villains alike.
-
The market for super-prime houses in England's biggest millionaire's playground is booming — and this £10m example is one of the bestWhirley Hall is a 17th century building that's a perfect example of how 21st century updates can transform an old home almost beyond recognition.
-
If I had to spend the rest of my life living underground, I would do it in this four-bedroom house for sale in the Peak DistrictThe aptly named Underhill is a 'a work of inhabitable art' that was built in the 1970s. And there's a swimming pool in the middle of it.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
