A COUNTRY inn which was ravaged by fire earlier this year could be open again next month.

The historic Gordon Arms in the Yarrow Valley was devastated by a roof blaze on May 12.

Almost two-thirds of the 235-year-old coaching inn remains a charred ruin awaiting insurance settlements before rebuilding and restoration can begin.

But a section of the popular hotel, including the bar and kitchen areas, is only slightly affected by smoke damage.

And work will begin over the next fortnight to separate the building and reopen one side.

Gordon Arms joint-owner Susan Cree told us: “One half of the building survived the fire and that’s where we plan to start work.

“We’ve had a surveyor in and it is possible to split the inn and be open on one side while building work starts next door.” Susan and musician Tom Roseburgh bought the Gordon Arms in 2012.

The landmark inn, which was once the haunt of writers James Hogg and Robert Burns as well as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, had been struggling in recent decades.

Mr Roseburgh relocated his Big Sky recording studio from Tweedbank into the former garage extension.

Bands and singers travelled from afar to play and record while locals began to return in their droves for a warm welcome, some fine ales and a mouth-watering menu.

Over the past two-and-a-bit years the inn has enjoyed a cultural and culinary renaissance with walkers, musicians and diners raving about its food, festivities and friendly atmosphere.

The owners were awarded a certificate of excellence from online reviews site Trip Advisor just a fortnight after the blaze.

And now they are desperate to re-open.

Tommy said: “We are going to dismantle the recording studio and open that area up for dining. The kitchens are fine and the bar just needs some cleaning.

“We need to have the roof done on that side of the building but it shouldn’t take too long.

“Dealing with insurance companies is a slow process but we are confident we can get part of the Gordon Arms open again mid-way through August.

“We feel we owe it to our customers and everyone else who has sent messages of support.” It is believed the fire, which started in the roof, was caused by either a faulty electrical fitting or a spark from one of the chimneys.

The upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms were completely destroyed and the flames worked their way down to parts of the ground floor before fire crews brought them under control.

In the hours and days after the fire, neighbours from near and far in the valley and surrounding area rallied round to help.

Susan added: “The smoke alarm went off just at the time when a neighbour came running into the bar to say the roof was on fire – he saw the smoke from his field.

“We saved what we could and got out. The building was well alight. The only thing that has kept us going since the fire is knowing that nobody was killed or injured.

“The day after the fire, people from the valley started turning up offering to help. They have been amazing, many have helped clear away the rubble and we’ve had so many offers of spare rooms and even someone’s house.” Susan had the arduous task of phoning dozens of future guests to alert them that they wouldn’t be able to stay. But the couple remain positive that the entire Gordon Arms will rise from the ashes.

Although the insurance settlement, which is still being negotiated, is likely to meet the costs of much of the rebuilding work, the couple are also fundraising to meet the deficit.

Tommy added: “We have a brilliant team of staff up here and our customers are fantastic. We want that to continue – it’s too good to lose.

“We will bring the inn back to what it was but also give it some 21st century plumbing and electrics.

“It looks like we will be a bit short of what is needed to rebuild completely and refurbish everything but we won’t be beaten.

“We have started fundraising and the support we have received has been magnificent.

“We don’t know how much we will need to raise but our priority now is to reopen the bar and kitchen as soon as we can – it will be a start.” A fundraising CD called Rebirth, which features artists who have recorded at the Gordon Arms over the past two years, is already selling well. And a concert with many of the same artists is being staged at Yarrow Feus hall in mid-August.

Further fundraising details are available at www.friendsofthegordon.com