It is an area blessed with many historic buildings, a number of which could be described as eccentric, but they are all the more interesting for that.

Before visiting one such edifice, a wonderful afternoon was spent wandering round the magnificent Monteviot Gardens. Obviously most of the flowers, such as the roses, were past their best, but there was still plenty to enjoy, especially as we had the place virtually to ourselves.

With three full-time gardeners employed to keep the place in trim, their sterling efforts were much in evidence, from the acres of lush immaculate lawns to the weed-free pathways and flower beds.

The many buddleia bushes were past their peak, but in the spells of warm sunshine, many butterflies were attracted to the few remaining honey sweet blooms.

They were mainly peacock and red admiral, with a scattering of small tortoiseshell, but I did manage to spot a couple of commas as well, which was quite encouraging, considering the summer we have had.

The walk by the river and Japanese water garden were stunning and there is a new woodland walk called the Dene Garden, which will have to wait for another day, as time was running short.

Few motorists travelling from St Boswells to Jedburgh, along the A68, can have failed to notice the strange, domed building on the right, just before Lilliardsedge.

This was to be my next port of call before returning home.

The closer I got to the amazing Byzantine mausoleum, the more I became impressed by the sheer audacity of it, perched on top of a Border hillside, with its ornate pillars, glazed stars cut into the dome and best of all, two huge stone lions guarding the entrance – one sleeping and the other awake.

Its lofty situation gives absolutely breathtaking panoramas in almost every direction. Sadly it is now overgrown with brambles and willowherb, and a cloak of ivy scrambles up one side of the building. Inside, two massive angels stand, one at the head and the other at the foot of the massive stone sarcophagus.

Which famous Borderer lies beneath this pile of pomposity? A famous poet perhaps, or a great hero of days gone by.

The answer was revealed in a plaque above the door. Yes, it was none other than General Sir Thomas Monteath Douglas K.C.B. of Stoneybyres, Lanarkshire, who was laid to rest in 1868.

Who? I hear you ask. Apparently, he married the only surviving daughter of Sir William Monteath Scott of Ancrum and spent most of his army career in India serving with the 35th Bengal Infantry for 40 years. So there you have it.

For all that, it is a stunning building and should be preserved for posterity. It desperately needs to be tidied up and made safe from vandalism. Its situation alone is crying out to be utilised as a visitor attraction, as from there you can easily see two other weird constructions of a bygone age – Baron's Folly and Peniel Heugh, not to mention the unsurpassed vistas of the Roxburghshire countryside.