Leaving Hawick we headed north and east to Mellerstain house and gardens ... a big country pile in the middle of nowhere, accessed by a number of small roads, before swinging round into the front.
The two wings at the front were still occupied, and the visit went around the main centre spread.
The house itself was mainly regency style, with grand rooms on the first floor and bedroom on the second, the ground/ underground was the preparation areas etc.
There were lots of portraits by famous artists and delicate furniture with many robert adams fireplaces and decoration (although this had been re-interpreted recently).
The formal gardens extended out the opposite side to the entrance down to the lake. there was some kind of sculpture on the lawn where it sloped down.
The very top of the main centre tower was all open like a long gallery, but with lots of windows.
Back outside we headed down to the lake via the formal gardens and a path through the woods to the left. Then set off around the lake.
some local wildlife on the way around
Coming back around the other side of the lake to the house and up through the formal gardens before exiting through the stables.
From here we headed back south again ..
