Estate Agency

Here When You Need Us Estate Agency

Independent with local expertise: Blackwood & Smith is a truly independent Scottish real estate agent with unrivalled knowledge of the property market in Peebles, the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Purchasers often have a set of specific requirements, such as a property close to a specific school or certain facilities. Our team’s local knowledge could be the difference between a potential purchaser matching with your property and choosing to view or scrolling past. 

We are not part of a large chain; we care about every single property we put on the market. The property market can change quickly and our independence give us the flexibility to move with it.

Female real estate agent holding house mockup with keys isolated, pastel green background, blank copyspace
Property Search

Find your perfect property. Have a look at the exceptional houses we have on the market.

How We Market Your Property

Selling your property is a huge step and choosing the right agent is essential. Find out what steps we take to ensure you get the best results achievable when selling your property.

Book A Free Valuation

We would be delighted to visit your house to carry out a valuation and provide you with a proposal for marketing your property. Please provide your details in and we will contact you as soon as possible to arrange your free valuation.

Residential Conveyancing

Working alongside our busy Estate Agency team, we aim to provide a complete property sale and purchase package to keep selling and moving home as simple as possible.

Register For Property Alterts

Are you looking for a new property? Don't forget to register for property alerts!

Contact Us

Get in touch and one our our team will be delighted to discuss how we can help.

Why choose us? Here are just a few reasons why people choose to sell their property with us:

We have been local property experts in Peeblesshire and the Scottish Borders for generations. We also have extensive knowledge of Edinburgh and the Lothians. We understand there is much more to selling your property than just taking photographs and advertising online.

Housing markets are extremely individual and so it is essential that you have advice from experts on the local property market. We deal with many hundreds of transactions every year, both in sales and purchases, estate agency and conveyancing, and pride ourselves on providing the best possible service to our clients.

As a Solicitor Estate Agent we are able to deal with your entire property sale, from initial marketing through to completion of the conveyancing and handover of keys, as well as your onward purchase. All of our Estate Agency clients have access to a solicitor contact right from the outset to assist and advise throughout the process of selling and buying. Moving home can be a very stressful process; why add to the stress by having to deal with multiple different agents. We always aim to keep the process as simple and straightforward as possible.

We think that the traditional ways of selling properties are still just as important. We provide ‘For Sale’ boards and Sale Particulars for all of our properties. In addition, we have a busy Property Shop at one of the most prominent locations in Peebles High Street and details of all of our properties can be found there. We also advertise properties in the entrance to our Legal Office.

That being said, a huge percentage of buyers are now starting their property search online. We appreciate the importance of maximizing your property’s online exposure. We advertise all of our properties through our website and on the main national property portals. We will also use social media to give your property extra exposure, perhaps opening it up to a different market. You can count on us to attract the right purchaser for your home.

As a Solicitor Estate Agent we can provide marketing for your property in the ESPC. An advert in the ESPC includes a listing on the ESPC Website (which generates on average over two million website sessions every month) a listing on the SPC Scotland website and advertising in the ESPC showroom located in a prime location on George Steet, Edinburgh. It is also an option to advertise the property in the ESPC magazine which is distributed throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders every month as well as being available online!

We have a team experienced in all aspects of conveyancing. We deal with residential, commercial and rural property and can advise on purchases, sales and leasing. We don’t just carry out conveyancing for properties in the Scottish Borders, we are regularly instructed in transactions throughout Scotland. Wherever in Scotland your property is located, in the city or in the countryside, we can help!

We pride ourselves on offering a traditional service. In a world where everything is moving to automation and call centers, we are proud to offer a personal service for our clients. We try to be as flexible as we can for our clients. Meetings can be arranged face to face in our office or in your own home or can often be carried out via a video call if this is your preference.

With over 180 years of providing legal services, we have been trusted advisers for countless clients over multiple generations. It is not unusual for a client to tell us that we have been looking after their family’s legal affairs for over half a century, and perhaps longer. Although its members have changed over the years, our current team still have the same commitment to offering quality expert legal advice when you need it.

We maintain a database of potential buyers so that we can distribute details of your property to as many interested parties as possible. We also have contacts with developers and buy-to-let landlords who we notify of any properties which might interest them.

Our Team Cares Meet Our Team

Our team always aim to deliver a friendly, honest and reliable service. When dealing with us you can be sure you are dealing with an approachable, knowledgeable and attentive team who will make sure your property gets the exposure it deserves.

Our aim is to always offer our clients a high quality service and ensure you get the best results achievable.

Blackwood and SmithKenneth Laing
Head of Estate Agency
Kenny has recently joined the firm as our Head of Estate Agency. Kenny was born in Nigeria, his family then moved to Prestwick and then Dumfries where he started his education before moving to Musselburgh and on to Loretto school in Musselburgh. Kenny continued his education at the University of Aberdeen where he earned a BSc in Agriculture. Kenny then moved to London where he stayed for several years before relocating to sunny Portugal. Kenny and his family settled and lived in Portugal until they returned to Scotland and moved into the Borders six years ago. Kenny now lives in Peebles and loves its beautiful location and sense of community. Kenny has worked in property for twenty-three years, beginning his career as an Estate Agent in London before moving to work in Portugal and then later in Scotland. Kenny brings a wealth of experience and is very familiar with the local market. Kenny loves all things property, but has a particular interest in architecture and the variety and development of construction over time. The history and evolution of engineering, structure and styles of property is something that Kenny is passionate about. Kenny’s favourite thing about being an Estate Agent is meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life and he loves seeing, visiting (and selling) all types of property. Kenny has many interests outside of Estate Agency and property. He loves sport and enjoys both watching and playing golf and tennis. He enjoys being home and having time to work in his garden but he also has a passion for travelling and seeing the world. Kenny enjoys entertaining and when he is not working he will often be found in the kitchen cooking for his friends and family. Kenny’s children also love sport and he is supporting them with his position as the treasurer of the Borders U17 netball club. Kenny’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Portuguese red wine; travelling and spending quality time with his wife and children; and Watching rugby, in particular Edinburgh/Glasgow/Scotland matches.
Blackwood and SmithAnnette Romanes
Property Manager
Annette is our Property Manager and works in our Estate Agency department. Annette has worked for Blackwood & Smith for over twenty years, having previously worked in the whisky industry and also a brief period teaching in the Middle East. Originally from Kilmarnock and schooled at Kilmarnock Academy, Annette has lived in Peebles for 26 years. There are almost too many things to mention but with its central location, beautiful scenery, wonderful walks, busy social calendar and its lovely people Annette adores living in Peebles. Annette has worked at Blackwood and Smith for over 24 years and enjoys meeting new people. Annette is passionate about property and knows the Peeblesshire market inside out. It is not unusual for Annette to carry out a valuation and be able to tell a homeowner that she has sold their house previously (sometimes more than once)! Annette’s greatest strengths are her outstanding negotiating skills. With more and more budget or online only estate agents around prioritising a quick sale and not necessarily at the best price, Annette’s traditional approach prioritising negotiation leads to many clients achieving a better price than they otherwise would with other agents. Annette loves selling property and her favourite part of her job is securing a great sale price and making clients happy. When Annette isn’t at work selling your properties she enjoys cooking, cleaning, reading and watching a good crime thriller. Annette loves travelling and has been lucky enough to live in and travel to lots of exciting places. Annette’s three favourite things are: family, travelling and going out for delicious food.
Blackwood and SmithAmy MacLinton
Estate Agent
Amy is our newest Estate Agent. Amy has lived in Peebles from birth, starting her education at local primary school Kingsland and continuing on to Peebles High School. She loves living in the Borders and her favourite thing about Peebles is the support and closeness of the local community. Amy has always had a keen interest in property; she loves looking at different houses and gets excited about identifying the potential in each and every one. Growing up locally and in recent years having kept an eye on the local market, she is thriving in her Estate Agency career! If you are local you may already be familiar with Amy from her time at Bank of Scotland and more recently with Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions. Before these roles she worked in Mortgage Servicing for Barclays. Amy has a long career history of excellent client care. Her exceptional customer service experience is a huge advantage when helping clients sell their homes. Amy is a highly organised and motivated individual and the combination of these skills means that your property is in safe hands. Amy loves supporting people through the process of selling their homes. Her favourite part of her job is helping people find a dream home that ticks all of their boxes. In her free time you will find Amy cheering on her boys at judo or football. Amy likes to play the piano in her spare time, and comes from a very musical family. If she manages to get some time to herself (this can sometimes be a rare occurrence with two young children) she can be found in a quiet corner completing a good jigsaw. Amy’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Family; DIY and Music
Blackwood and SmithSarah Millar-Urey
Marketing Manager
Sarah is our Marketing Manager. Sarah is responsible for creating and implementing the Firm’s marketing strategy but also works alongside the team in our Property Shop using her expertise to assist estate agency clients in the marketing of their homes. Originally from Larne in Northern Ireland, Sarah moved to Scotland in 2002 to study for a Marketing and Business Degree in Dundee. Since graduating in 2006 Sarah has worked in marketing roles for several large companies, including two large law firms in Dundee and Edinburgh. Sarah now lives locally after moving to Peebles 6 years ago. Her favourite thing about living in the Borders is the sense of community. Peebles reminds her of the small town where she grew up in Northern Ireland, and is also the perfect place to raise a family. Sarah’s favourite part of her job is the ever-evolving nature of marketing. She loves learning and developing new skills and implementing them in her daily job. She also loves seeing a project develop through from start to finish and then coming to life. Sarah’s three favourite things are: City breaks, baking & long lie-ins (which are currently a rare treat with three children).
Blackwood and SmithClaire Ferguson
Business and Operations Manager
Claire is one of the newest members of the team and is in charge of Business Development and project implementation. Claire is originally from the central belt but now lives locally in West Linton. She attended school in Stirling and then the University in Aberdeen to study Law. With its beautiful views and sense of community she loves living in the Scottish Borders. Raising a young family, it feels like a lovely, safe and vivifying place to raise a family. Claire originally trained and practiced as a solicitor in Edinburgh before taking a career break returning to work with Blackwood & Smith in August 2022. Claire is reasonably busy with work and two young children but enjoys baking, knitting and sewing with any free time. She loves organising and planning and is the Chair of her children’s school PTA committee. Claire enjoys meeting with new people which she gets to do on a regular basis as part of her job. She is very detail orientated and enjoys problem solving so loves starting (and finishing) a project and seeing any improvements made in action. Claire is excited to see the firm thrive and continue to grow. Claire’s three favourite things are: spending time with her family, party planning and going on holiday and being warmed by the sun.
Blackwood and SmithStruan Ferguson
Partner
Struan is a Partner at Blackwood & Smith. Struan takes a particular interest in all aspects of property law, including the purchase and sale of residential, commercial and rural property, and also commercial leasing. Struan also assists clients with private client work including, Wills Executry Administration and Powers of Attorney. Struan became a Partner in 2017 having originally joined the Firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2011. Brought up in Innerleithen, Struan studied law at the University of Aberdeen before moving back to the area in 2010. Struan currently lives in West Linton with his wife and two young children. Struan loves living in the Scottish Borders and thinks that it is the best place to raise a family. Struan sits on the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, the governing body of the Society, as well as the Society’s Property Law Committee. Struan is also a founding member and the current Chairperson of the Scottish Conveyancers Forum. Through his involvement in the Property Law Committee and Scottish Conveyancers Forum, Struan is involved at the forefront of developments in Scottish property law and practice, including participating in working parties involved in drafting the latest versions of the Scottish Standard Clauses, New Build Standard Clauses and PSG Residential styles. He is also a Member of the Society of Writers to the Signet. Struan’s favourite part of his job is the satisfaction of completing multiple transactions on a Friday and then heading home for a well-deserved beer. With two young children Struan doesn’t have a lot of time for hobbies but when he is not working he enjoys, reading, walking and watching sport (he is not himself a sportsman so prefers to watch). Struan’s three favourite things are: his family, being on holiday (somewhere different each time), and cricket.
Blackwood and SmithFiona Fleming
Partner
Fiona Fleming is a Partner at Blackwood and Smith and joined the firm in 2003. She provides advice on a variety of private client matters including Wills, Powers of Attorney Trust Administration and Executries. Along with her colleagues Fiona also provides advice in relation to residential sales and purchases. Fiona attended school and university in Edinburgh but has called Peebles home since she moved here over 30 years ago. She loves the mix of independent shops, businesses and the easy access to the gorgeous countryside. Fiona believes that the role of a solicitor in a rural practice such as Blackwood and Smith is to offer specialist legal advice as required, but also to act as a trusted adviser on whom clients can depend to look after their interests as they would their own. Outside of work Fiona is an avid gardener and a keen sailor. Her 3 favourite things are: sunshine, sea breezes and bananas!
Blackwood and SmithKaren Valentine
Scottish Law Accountant
Karen is one of our Scottish Law Accountants and our Office Manager. She, along with Julia, ensures the firm’s compliance with the Law Society Accounts Rules. Karen also deals with Private Client work, Tax Returns, and Trust and Estate administration; and assists Fiona Fleming with Charity administration. The Tax Return work includes not only tax affairs for individuals but also for Trusts and Estates including PAYE, Self Assessment, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax. She has extensive knowledge of Power of Attorney work and attends to the affairs of numerous clients on behalf of Attorneys. She prides herself on her attention to detail, and her relationship with her clients. Karen is one of the longest serving members of our team and joined Blackwood & Smith in 1988 as our office junior. In 1998 she qualified as a Scottish Law Accountant through the diploma scheme operated by the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland. Karen lives locally and her favourite thing about living in Peebles is the scenery. It was very apparent to her during lockdown just how fortunate she is to live here. Being able to walk 10 minutes in any direction and be in the countryside, or at the top of the hill is a highlight. She considers the Scottish Borders to be a glorious part of the world! Karen’s favourite part of her job is being able to take away some of the worry and stress when someone has lost someone close to them. Being in a position to provide reassurance and guidance so that they have one less thing to worry about at an often very difficult time makes the job worthwhile. Karen’s three favourite things are: metal music (particularly thrash); horror movies; and yoga. The yin and yang!
Blackwood and SmithJulia Scott
Scottish Law Accountant
Julia works in our accounts team and is an integral member of our team assisting Karen with the running of our cashroom. She has worked for Blackwood & Smith since 2009 and gained her Scottish Law Accountant qualification in 2014. Julia was born and raised in Peebles, attending Kingsland Primary School and Peebles High school. She still lives locally with her husband and daughters. Julia’s favourite thing about living in Peebles is the beautiful scenery; she loves being outside and up in the hills, whether that is on her horse or walking her dogs. She can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Outside of work Julia spends most of her free time riding her two horses Luna and Fletcher, and walking her two dogs Harvey and Stella. Julia is the treasurer for the Peebles March Riders Association who organise rideouts and horse events throughout the year. Julia’s favourite thing about her job is busy house settlement days, she enjoys finalising the transactions and seeing clients getting the keys for their new homes! Julia loves puzzles, playing cards, board games, jigsaws, crosswords or even suduko! This is helpful for her work as sometimes balancing an account can be just like completing a puzzle. Julia’s three favourite things are: sunshine, good health and happiness.
Blackwood and SmithKristina Thomson
Executry Assistant / Cashroom Support
Kristina works in our cashroom and assists our accounts and executry teams. Kristina was born and raised in Peebles and continues to live here whilst raising her family. She loves the quietness, the hills, the familiarity, the walks, the people, her list is endless. She has worked for Blackwood & Smith since September 2021. Her favourite thing about her job is learning something new every day, no Executry is the same and she is always improving her knowledge and perfecting her skills. She enjoys the challenge of overcoming a problem or issue and completing a file. Kristina is a little bit of an adrenaline junkie and loves pushing the limits and riding down mountain bike trails, hill walking, paddle boarding and cocktails with friends. Her three favourite things are: her boys, her dog, Fern and the hot air feeling when you step off a plane.

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