A BORDERS mansion which was formerly the main activity centre for Scottish Girl Guides will be turned into a family home.

In August last year it was announced that Netherurd House, near West Linton, was closing.

However, following a successful application to Scottish Borders Council, the 19-bedroom Georgian mansion will now be made into a “residential dwellinghouse”.

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A supporting statement issued by Ironside Farrar on behalf of the applicants, Kevin and Lindsey O’Neill, reads: “The important private investment in its upkeep and maintenance should help to ensure the preservation of the category B listed 18th century mansion for future generations.

“The house is currently suitable for residential occupation and therefore there are no physical alterations proposed to the building and grounds at this time.

“The applicant is very much aware of the historical and architectural merit of Netherurd House and its category B listed building status – its local and national importance in that regard.”

The application was initially submitted to change the use of the house in January, with council officers approving the plans on March 23.

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According to the council’s report, “the fact that the property was a house until the middle of the 20th century is a significant material consideration”.

Netherurd House is situated 7.5km away from West Linton and just over one kilometre from Blyth Bridge.

The mansion was used by generations of Girl Guides as a holiday and training centre, before the coronavirus pandemic contributed to it shutting.

The news of the closure, met with sadness by many former Girl Guides, was described as a “significant loss to Girlguiding Scotland” by a house spokesperson.

The 30-acre site, with five campsites, offered adventure activities such as archery, kayaking, climbing and zip wiring.