Tantah

This shot is taken not far from Craigerne House (featured in yesterday's blip). The turreted building is called Tantah House. It was built in 1884 by James Inglis of Peebles and was originally set in a small self-contained estate with staff accommodation, a lodge house, a walled garden, paddocks & an imposing long driveway. The estate was broken up many years ago but Mike & Les Cashin have lived at Tantah House since 1994 & over the years they have raised their own two children, and over 60 foster children in the house.

Tantah House is named after a town in Egypt, although nobody is sure why. It is possible that Mr Inglis owned a foundry (Priorsford Bridge in Peebles was built by Tantah Foundry), so he was may have been involved in construction in Egypt.

The long white building was originally a series of barns but a couple of years ago was converted into a house - it has amazing views across the open fields to the hills and with its west facing aspect must see some wonderful sunset scenes. The John Buchan Way runs up the hillside past the house and towards Cademuir - a hillfort several miles to the south-west. I often wander past the house for a contemplative view of the hills.