Holm Park is an imposing Victorian building overlooking the Moffat Hills. It used to be a private school, Warriston House, and our flat would once have been the dining hall. As such it still has the original mahogany wall panelling and American pine floors. It also has amazingly large windows which flood the apartment with light, even on the darker Scottish days. The ceilings are crazily high (really!), and the whole apartment extremely spacious at around 1500 square feet. It is also unique in the building in having it's own private garden (bounded by hedges) to the front, where al fresco dining can be enjoyed on sunny days. The apartment is furnished both with mod-cons and high quality white goods (Miele), and also antiques from around the world, oriental rugs and original art work. While elegantly grand, we have strived to make Warriston Apartment both characterful and cosy. It is all on the ground floor, but please note, that the building has three steps up to the entrance which may present a challenge for those with severe mobility issues. Please check with us if in doubt. Rugs can also be removed in advance (if you alert us) should you be worried about 'trip hazards'.

I (Piers) am a photographer and oriental rug dealer (quite a combo!), and my wife, Nikki, works for an American NGO, working in healthcare delivery in the developing world. Consequently we have spent the past 18 years abroad (Nepal, Pakistan, Burma and Kenya), where we collected many of our antique and art pieces (and I became obsessed with rugs!). Determined to give our children an experience of UK life and school, we moved back recently to Scotland and after much hard searching settled on Moffat, where we experienced 'love at first sight'! (see below).

It's hard not to fall in love with Moffat! Although near the M74 motorway there is no sense of that proximity when actually in the town, which is why it makes a spectacular stop (hopefully an extended one!) while heading north to the Highlands and Islands, or south to England. The Southern Uplands that surround the town on three sides are impressive and several of the peaks, such as Hart Fell and White Comb are only just shy of being Munros. There are beautiful walks even within the town (try the path along the lovely Annan Water), or just outwith (try the circular hike around Gallow Hill) and even more scenic ones just minutes drive away (try the historic Devil's Beef Tub and Grey Mare's Tail). The quiet, scenic roads that radiate from Moffat are hugely popular with cyclists and bikers. The town of Moffat itself is beautiful, with ancient, winding streets of cottages and independent shops in the heart, and grand Victorian houses dating back to its time as a spa town stemming outwards. Although small, Moffat has a buzz throughout the year and there are many fine restaurants, cafes, and bars. It also hosts many events such as the Classic Car Rally and Sheep Races.