Borders village Heriot issues clarion call for incomers

The Herald Scotland

a day ago

But there's just one catch – they must be families with young children who can help bolster its falling school roll.
This year, the number of children filling the village's Primary School dropped below 26 – the 'magic number' Borders Council decrees is needed to run two classes.
Residents of the village, which has around 160 homes, are hoping they can attract fresh young faces to ensure the Heriot Primary School has a vibrant future and remains a focal point of the community.
Locals are highlighting three homes for sale in the village which they hope would be attractive to families looking to escape the rate race and settle on its quiet streets.
School sports day in Heriot (Image: Heriot Community) They have highlighted the village's transport links - the Borders Railway station at Gorebridge is just 10 minutes away and there's also an hourly bus service providing easy access to both Edinburgh and Galashiels – availability of afterschool care and vibrant community spirit.
Heriot Primary School Parent Council Chair, Rich Williams said: 'Heriot Primary School's ACEL (Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels) scores compare very favourably indeed to other local schools and even compete with those achieved by the current top performing school in the Scottish Borders,'
'I moved with my family to Heriot around five years ago because we felt our children would thrive in a small school where they get really personalised attention from great teachers, and where they could benefit from the incredible outdoor facilities the school has.'
'But it's not just about the school's scores: everyone says Heriot children are special. The values the school instils in them and the way the school is embedded in the local area as a hub for events and gathering means that children tend to grow up with a real sense of community spirit and togetherness - and this helps them to thrive once they move on to the secondary school at Galashiels, where a brand new academy is soon due to open.'
The Old Police House is one of the homes available - priced at £425,000 (Image: Rightmove) Mr Williams added: 'There are lots of things here for parents as well. Beautiful hill walks are on your doorstep, while the cafes and boutique shops of Innerleithen and Peebles, and the mountain-bike trails at Glentress are just down the road.'
Villagers are keen for them to be sold to families with school-aged children who want their child to benefit from a smaller school, rural education.
Families in Heriot have access to daily afterschool childcare at 'Heriot Country Kids' until 6pm, as well as holiday clubs at Easter, in the summer break and October half term.
Heriot Country Kids has recently been commended by the Care Inspectorate, who recognised that children benefitted from 'kind, caring and nurturing interactions, which helped them to feel valued and respected'.
Another house for sale in Heriot, priced at £370,000 (Image: Rightmove) Scottish Borders Council has also committed to developing plans for an early years nursery connected to the school, meaning that younger children will soon also be well catered for.
With enrolment applications for the nursery due to go live in November 2025 - and the nursery due to open its doors in Easter 2026 - villagers feel that now is the time to ask people to make the move.
Community Council Secretary Gavin Whittaker: 'Heriot is located in a beautiful part of the country, with immediate access to some fantastic walking and cycling routes,'