Thursday December 4th 2025
Jedburgh Carnegie Building
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The sale of an historic Borders library building was agreed by senior councillors this week with unconfirmed reports there are now plans to convert it into Airbnb accommodation.
During a private business item members of Scottish Borders Council’s decision-making Executive Committee voted by a majority to rubber-stamp the purchase of the Carnegie Library by a private individual.
The library was opened in 1900 by the benefactor himself, Andrew Carnegie, who donated £2,000 towards it.
The library was closed by SBC during the pandemic.
Since then, the future of the building has been in limbo with an attempt at a community buy-out ultimately proving unsuccessful.
The sale of the building, for an undisclosed amount, is part of the council’s estate rationalisation.
The sale is estimated to be completed in early 2026.
Councillor Simon Mountford, SBC’s executive member for Planning and Community Assets, said: “I am extremely pleased to see the sale of the former Jedburgh Library building now progressing following approval at the council’s Executive Committee.
“I am hopeful that the sale of this prominent community building will enable it to be re-purposed and an important part of the town’s heritage retained.”
A spokesperson for the community campaign to purchase the library expressed sadness at the development, saying: “We don’t believe there is any means to appeal the decision or challenge it in anyway. It’s done.
“The Carnegie Library no longer belongs to the people of Jedburgh.”
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