Shady Pines Guest House, Harrismith

The Pines is one of the best known of the older homes in Harrismith, a handsome sandstone residence with curved driveway sweeping up to the front entrance. This gracious home was built about 1880 for Mr Robert Gibson who was the father in law of Perla Siddle Gibson, the lady in white who won fame singing to the troops during the Second World War. The house of sandstone was originally single storied. Later the top floor was added and subsequently The Pines became a boarding house. The old house was bought in 1960 in a very run down state by Koos and Alet de Witt, who started restoration during the winter of 1961 after which rebuilding started again. Close to the Northern Drakensberg, Mount-Aux-Sources, the highest mountain in South Africa, the majestic Golden Gate, Sterkfontein Dam, the deepest dam in South Africa, Platberg Nature Reserve and down the road the artist paradise, Clarens. A beautiful golf course, squash and tennis courts, bowling greens are within walking distance. Rock climbing, fly fishing, bird watching and hunting are all within reach.