Norton Farmhouse (Former), Norton Plantation

2-storey, 3-bay, rectangular-plan, gabled former farmhouse (currently unoccupied and in partial state of disrepair 2008). Rubble with red sandstone dressings. Raised cills. Principal elevation to W with doorway to centre; windows flanking. 3 windows to 1st floor abutting eaves. Raised door to S elevation. Five window openings in cross formation to E (rear) elevation. Blind N elevation. Complete to wallhead with corrugated iron roof. All openings to long elevations currently blocked. End stacks no longer in place. INTERIOR: little interior surviving, evidence of fireplace at 1st floor N gable. This intact shell of an 18th century house is a prominent and striking feature within the Lauder landscape, clearly visible from a number of viewpoints on the A697. Local knowledge and literature suggests the building was a coaching inn during the 19th century. Formerly part of the Thirlestane Castle estate, its solitary survival is a valuable remnant and reminder of the earlier land use in the area with the principal (S) elevation originally overlooking the now disused old coach road from Kelso to Edinburgh. Its tall, thick rubble walls, steeply pitched roof and window openings abutting the eaves level, all point to a late 18th century building date and adopt the form of a traditional farmhouse of the period. The iron roofing covering the remaining timbers has been repaired to inhibit further decay and water ingress. The 1857 Ordnance Survey map shows a walled garden located directly to the SE of the house, of which little evidence now remains. The old coach road (which also takes in the nearby Drummonds Hall Bridge to the S - see separate listing) was bypassed by the A697 in the early 19th century. In the 18th century, a track continued from the W end of The Row in Lauder to Norton, past Thirlestane Castle. This also became disused in 1810, probably as a result of the establishment of the large tree plantation at Norton. (Historic Scotland)

November 1997: External inspection reveals the barn to be bricked up and derelict in the middle of a field. December 1999 the building is C (non-stat) listed by Historic Scotland> January 2000: No change reported. August 2001: The Cockburn Conservation Trust reports that Scottish Borders Council would not be in favour of returning the barn to residential use as this would be contrary to policies of housing in the countryside. March 2004: Local planners report that minor roof repairs have been undertaken with corrugated iron sheeting installed.

May 2009: External inspection suggests that the structure is no longer in use as it has been fenced off. The masonry is in very poor condition with large cracks and gaps visible. The building was category C(s) listed (HB51313) in March 2009 by Historic Scotland.

July 2011: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.

28 August 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests the building remains At-Risk.