RESTORATION work is about to begin on one of the region's most fascinating buildings.

The Monteath Douglas Mausoleum, which sits close to the A68 between St Boswells and Ancrum, dates back to 1864.

But the hidden gem of Victorian architecture has gradually fallen into disrepair since being abandoned in the 1960s.

An £129,000 restoration project is about to begin after grants from three funders were secured - £59,444 from the Fallago Environment Fund, £59,450 from the WREN’s FCC Scottish Action Fund and £10,000 from BCCF Environmental.

David Freeman of Friends of the Monteath Mausoleum is delighted that work is to begin.

He said: “This fine monument was deteriorating through neglect.

"It is in the same area as Peniel Heugh, Fatlips Castle and St Cuthberts Way long distance path, but poor access and the general state of the building meant that hundreds of people passed by on the A68 every day without knowing of its existence.

"Generous funding from Fallago, WREN and BCCF Environmental will ensure that visitors to this wonderful place can appreciate its history, fine design and stunning views long into this century and beyond.”

The building is the tomb of 19th century general Sir Thomas Monteath Douglas, whose daughter was married to Sir William Monteath Scott of Ancrum.

General Monteath Douglas had spent most of his life serving with the 35th Bengal Infantry in India and chose the solitary and commanding position at the top of Gersit Law on his son-in-law’s lands to build his tomb.

Built in 1864 by local craftsmen, to a design by Edinburgh architects Peddie & Kinnear, the mausoleum is regarded as a hidden gem of Victorian architecture.

It is flanked by two life-sized stone lions, one awake and one sleeping, and features a domed roof pierced with 48 glass stars. Inside, impressive carvings of two tall guardian angels can also be found.

The mausoleum was abandoned in 1964 after the death of the last family member and broken roof windows and door panels have since led to internal damage by wind, rain, birds and other wildlife.

The exterior stonework has also fallen into disrepair, with walls overgrown with ivy and weeds.

The Mausoleum is currently on the Buildings at Risk Scotland Register and is Listed Grade B by Historic Environment Scotland.

Gareth Baird, chairman of the Fallago Environment Fund, said: “The Monteath Douglas Mausoleum is a beautiful piece of historic architecture and we’re delighted that the Fallago Environment Fund is able to help to restore and preserve such a fascinating Borders landmark for local people and visitors to enjoy.”

It is unclear who now owns the building, but the Friends of Monteath Mausoleum haven taken on the mantle of saving it for future generations.

Formed in 2014, the dedicated group of volunteers secured the funding to replace broken glass stars in the domed roof, render the building wind and watertight, renew the impressive oak doors using original ironware, repoint the fine stonework, repair the railings surrounding the mausoleum and improve footpath access and interpretation for visitors.

The members have also donated much of their own time to remove ivy and weeds from the surrounding area to enable the building to be appreciated by passing walkers.

WREN grant manager Sophie Cade added: “WREN is always delighted to fund unique heritage restoration projects, particularly when they are rooted in the local community like Monteath Mausoleum.”

The restoration is set to be complete by late 2019.