Wednesday July 30th 2025
Bernat Flein's studio in the Scottish Borders
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A bid to save the run-down studio of a renowned Borders-based textile designer has succeeded after it was sold at auction – for 15 times the asking price.
Bernat Klein, the Serbian-born designer who died in 2014, collaborated with major European fashion houses such as Dior.
Nestled beside the A707 between Galashiels and Selkirk, the Category-A Listed Bernat Klein Studio is a striking piece of late Modernist architecture by Peter Womersley, built in 1972 as a creative hub for Klein.
The building’s owners had put the studio up for auction at a bargain price of £18,000.
But in the event it was sold today, Wednesday, July 30, for £279k.
Scottish Heritage Building Trust (SHT) has joined forces with the National Trust Scotland and the Bernat Klein Foundation, with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland, to acquire the building from ruin and bring it back into public and community use.
The venture has also garnered the support of Scottish Borders Council.
It is estimated the full cost of restoration undertaken by specialists could exceed £2.5.
Once complete, it is intended the building will provide a permanent base in the Scottish Borders for the Bernat Klein Foundation as a new venue to inspire creative arts in the Scottish Borders.
Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, said: “I’m delighted to share that the Bernat Klein Studio has been saved.
“Over the past year, I’ve been working with a coalition of leading Scottish heritage and design organisations to help secure its future.
“This iconic building will now be transformed into a creative arts venue and cultural hub for the local community.”
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