Overlooking the Peeblesshire hills close to Biggar, Brownsbank Cottage was the home of writer Hugh MacDiarmid. The original interior was restored just as MacDiarmid had left it and contains numerous portraits and photographs of MacDiarmid and a unique collection of memorabilia. Past writers-in-residence have included award winning writer and publisher Matthew Fitt and the first Scottish Parliament Writer in Residence James Robertson, author of Booker prize nominated "The Testament of Gideon Mack".