Holiday Cottages in Scotland

The Borders Abbey Way

This historic walking route links four great ruined abbeys in the region in Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburg. The total walk is 109 km or 68 miles, and it can be completed in different sections, allowing easy to moderate walking in some of the most beautiful dales and hills of this part of Scotland. 

Abbotsford House - Melrose - Roxburghshire

Situated on the River Tweed, this was home to writer Sir Walter Scott, who was a celebrated novelist, poet, historian, and biographer. Dating from 1825, this fascinating historic country house estate is open to the public, you can visit the house, the gardens, the chapel, visitor centre and take in the estate. Walk on over 120 acres of paths, enjoying the extensive woodlands planted by Scott. There is a cafe to relax in before or after your explorations.  60 km or 35 miles from Edinburgh. See tickets to purchase below. 

St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve

Walk from St Abb's to St Abb's Head Nature Reserve on a circular hike which is 6.3 km or 4 miles. Best between February to October to enjoy the rugged cliffs, bird colonies, Mire Loch and historic places along the way. See kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemot. In the ocean spot grey seals, dolphins and porpoises. Start your walk at the National Trust for Scotland NTS carpark just inland from St Abb's. 80 km or 50 miles from Edinburgh.

Foxglove Cottage - Hawick - Roxburghshire - The Borders - Scotland

Offering a 2 or 3 bedroom cottage with 1 bathroom with space for 4 or 6 guests in either Foxglove or Willowherb Cottage. Delightful cosy chocolate box cottages with fireplaces, full kitchens and romantic gardens. Relax or talk to the faeries at the bottom of the garden. Just 4.3 km or 2.5 miles to Hawick. 

'Superb. A lovely place to stay. Quiet and very private in a beautiful setting but not far from Hawick town. Very spacious, comfortable, warm and cosy and really felt like home from home. Everything we needed for our family Christmas.'

Pathhead Farmhouse - Hoscote Estate - Roberton - Hawick - The Borders - Scotland

In an elevated position overlooking rolling green fields sits a traditional Borders Farmhouse with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms welcoming 6 guests in rural tranquility on Hoscote Estate. Cook in your full kitchen, enjoy the wood burning stove and the outdoor seating with BBQ. Pet friendly, with loads of walks just outside your doorstep. The estate has the most photogenic black and white sheep and cows as well as active conservation projects. Drive 14 km or 8.7 miles to Hawick.

'We had a lovely stay at Pathhead Farmhouse.  The house was spotless and well equipped with every comfort you'd need.  We were made to feel very welcome, soft white towels and spotless beds that were so comfy nobody wanted to get up in the morning!  The estate is so tranquil with lovely views and brilliant wildlife outside your window!  The peaceful surroundings are just what any person needs to unwind after a hectic day to day life!  The area is so unspoiled in general with the local towns having free parking (unheard of where we are from) an many historic buildings with free or cheap entry.  Definitely would stay again, very impressed.'

Scots & Queens - Peebles - Tweeddale - The Borders -Scotland

Completely and utterly romantic. Neidpath Castle Cottage welcomes 2 guests in 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. Immerse yourself in history at this medieval stronghold built around 1266, visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1563 and preserved by generations of families. Learn about Sir Walter Scott's poem 'The Maid of Neidpath'. The Borders were a contested battleground between the Scots and the English for centuries. Learn about the proud past of the clans here. All modern conveniences will give you comfort during your stay. A luxury breakfast hamper is provided – this includes fresh local bread, yoghurt, smoked salmon, berries, jams and more. The cobwebs of controversy have been swept aside to create a modern wedding venue and sumptuous experience on the Barns Estate.

'Fantastic stay! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for castle & history lovers! I've always wanted to stay in a real medieval castle... not one that's been modernised and turned into a hotel. Nope, I wanted the stone walls and tower staircases, the ghosts, stories, and hundreds of years of history! Now I can say that my wish (in fact, it was my birthday wish) was fulfilled entirely with our recent stay at Neidpath Castle! Everything about our stay was absolutely fantastic. Staying at Neidpath was a very special experience that we will always treasure - and hopefully will repeat sometime soon. Not far from Edinburgh, Neidpath is a unique and special experience that you must add to your travel adventures in Scotland!'

Barns Tower - Peebles - Tweeddale - The Borders - Scotland

A whimsical, enchanting, romantic retreat with 1 bedroom and 2 bathrooms accommodating 4 guests. This historically fascinating tower has been restored to a cosy, warm, quirky, extraordinary stay. Step back in history, admire the vaulted ceilings, wood panelled walls and relax next to a roaring fire. Dating from the 15th Century, located next to the Tweed River, choose Barns Library or Barns Bothy as additional accommodation as needed. Drive 6.3 km or 3 miles to Peebles. Just a 40 minute drive from Edinburgh. 

'I have never stayed anywhere as incredible as this. From the minute we pulled up, the setting, the area around the tower... stunning. I could not believe how amazing this place is. I couldn't describe how much of a step back in time it felt walking through the iron keep gate into the bottom of the tower. We explored each room in excitement waiting to see what was behind each door. The bedroom is absolutely stunning to the point where I woke up in the night and had to remind myself where I was staying. The tower was beautifully presented and tastefully laid out with some modern amenities in the event that your stuck in for the day with bad weather. We enjoyed reading and exploring the walk along the majestic river Tweed into Peebles where we enjoyed a delicious meal at Coltmans. I cannot wait to go back. Not just a stay but an experience.'

The Old Mill House - Thirlestane - The Borders - Scotland

An ideal couples retreat with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom in a beautifully restored historic building. See the old mill stone still set into the building, yet relax in modern comfort and charm. Enjoy the wood burning stove, outdoor seating areas, fully-equipped kitchen and the trickle of water running in the  Boondreigh River. Choose accommodation in the Bothy, the Fishing Hut or the Stilt House on this charming rural property. 6.4 km or 4 miles to Lauder village. 50 km or 30 miles from Edinburgh. 

'Beautiful and quirky place. The little touches, such as the bath bombs and face masks were great. The grounds around the building are beautiful; there are sheep to feed and scenic walks. I very much enjoyed my stay.'

Old Mill Cottage - Kelso - Roxburghshire - The Borders - Scotland

Sitting on Kale Water just outside the village of Kelso at Kalemouth, this charming historic home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with space for 5 guests. A well appointed yet rustic stone cottage with spacious living areas and French doors leading to a relaxing terrace and pretty garden. You will be surrounded by nature, spot otters, deer, badgers, herons and kingfishers, or walk out your door for paths and trails. Very central in The Borders, just 10 km or 6 miles to Kelso. 

'Lovely location for visiting the Borders region, and only an hour from Edinburgh. The house is spacious and well laid out, and has a lovely garden for eating and relaxing outdoors.'

Pentland Cottage - Horndean - Berwickshire - The Borders - Scotland

Walk out your door to the River Tweed which forms the border with England. Explore walking paths from your cosy cottage with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom which sleeps 2 guests. Enjoy the garden, full kitchen and fireplace. 5 km or 3 miles from Norham Village. 85 km or 56 miles from Edinburgh.

'The cottage was great, very comfortable and well-equipped.'

Lane Cottage - Leitholm - Coldstream - The Borders - Scotland

This large home offers space for 6 guests in 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in the country near Coldstream village. Relax in this beautifully furnished, charming cottage with sweeping views over farmland. This former butler's residence sits within an enclosed country garden flanked by mature trees, part of the woodland, parkland and acclaimed gardens of the Bughtrig Estate. Step out onto estate walking paths. Very central to The Borders, close to Marchmont House, Kelso Abbey and Floors Castle. 70 km or 44 miles from Edinburgh.

'We had a lovely week at Lane Cottage, beautiful house, very quiet setting and we instantly felt at home, very comfortable and well equipped.'

Blackadder Mains Cottage - Duns - Berwickshire - The Borders - Scotland

What a charming and unique home. With 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms your group of 7 will be very comfortable here. Built in 1865 of dressed sandstone with a decorative slate roof and arched upper windows, the property enjoys uninterrupted views of the Cheviot Hills.

'Tranquil cottage in an ideal location. Myself, my husband and our Dog, Bonnie recently stayed at Brian's cottage for ten days and what a brilliant holiday! The cottage has been so lovingly and carefully restored, the pictures really don’t do it justice. It’s cosy and homely, the kitchen is very well equipped with all the various utensils and pots and pans you could need and the gardens are stunning. Staying in June meant a lot of the garden was in bloom with fruits and veggies starting to ripen and it was a real joy to spend our mornings sat outside with a coffee and again in the evening with a beer. Bonnie in particular loved running around the huge field! The location is fab, very quiet and peaceful and yet only 20 minutes from the beach and 20 mins from Berwick for shops and the supermarket.'

Rock Cottage - St Abbs - Berwickshire - The Borders - Scotland

Location, location, location! This is a most charming opportunity to live in a seaside cottage right by the harbour. This restored fisherman's cottage is simply enchanting. St Abb's is just as fairytale, with a rugged rocky coastline and jagged cliffs. Perfect for couples, this stone cottage has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, and of course, sea views. 76 km or 48 miles from Edinburgh. 

'Perfect location with lovely views over the harbour. Great walks all around the village. Beautiful beaches and scenery.'

The Gate House - Kirknewton - Scotland

A cosy historic home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms ideal for your arrival or departure as it is located just outside Edinburgh, only 14 km or 8 miles from the airport. Free parking, a private entrance, fully setup kitchen and a relaxing garden. The washing machine will be handy if you have been travelling. An enchanting way to begin or end your Scottish journey.

'The property has the wow factor in terms of location but even more so the interior is absolutely lovely.'

'Simply a wonderful property in a stunning location. Spacious for our family of five. The property was clean. The location is stunning. Good, road, bus and train links into city centre. The shop in the village is lovely and very well stocked.'

Observatory House - Calton Hill - Edinburgh - Scotland

Enchanting, fairytale, magical and unique. This stunning Gothic Revival building is castle-like yet fully renovated and modern inside. A 3-bedroom home accommodating 7 guests right next to the City Observatory. Sweeping views across Edinburgh and close to everything. Be part of Scottish history dating from 1818. Absorb the stories through the stones. 150 metres to the Nelson Monument, 200 metres to the top of Calton Hill. Just 500 metres to the Royal Mile. Explore Edinburgh on foot from this unusual haven. 

'Had a fairytale-like stay at the Observatory House, a castle-like retreat perched atop a hill! The breathtaking 360-degree views of Edinburgh's stunning landscape, with its lush green spaces, left me spellbound. The serene surroundings and tranquil atmosphere made for an unforgettable experience. Truly a hidden gem!'

Abbotsford: House, Chapel and Garden Ticket

Discover Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Learn about his life and achievements. Explore the beautiful formal gardens. Discover Witch Corner, an interactive folklore trail.

5 / 5 (4 Reviews)

'A brilliant venue to visit. Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Beautiful house and gardens and wonderful riverside walks. Visitor centre good with good exhibition. Cafe excellent and good value for money.'

From Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel, The Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

See the famous Rosslyn Chapel and seek out the secrets of the Da Vinci Code. Visit Melrose Abbey, said to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart. Drink a dram of whisky at Glenkinchie Distillery. Taste Scottish produce at lunch in Melrose and explore the town and its Abbey. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Borders.

4.7 / 5 (211 Reviews)

' This was very, very good, interesting and funny! Our Guide was very interesting, informative, intelligent and I will be glad to take more tours with him. It was just amazing!'

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

Visit Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction. Learn about the history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. Begin on the Royal Mile, then to the castle, where your guide interprets the origins of the castle and its sieges. After exploration with a guide, you can spend a free time inside the castle until closing time.

4.7 / 5 (2,678 Reviews)

'We had a really lovely experience with our guide. She clearly has a huge passion for what she does and it made the tour a whole lot more enjoyable and informative. Would definitely recommend!'

Fauna

Roe Deer - Capreolus capreolus

Otter - Lutra lutra

Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris

Birds - at St Abb's Head you will see plenty of sea birds on the cliffs from February to October

Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla

Guillemot - Uria aalge

Razorbill - Alca torda

Flora - in March and May see spring flowers like the anemones, bluebells and hyacinths

Wood Anemone - Anemone nemorosa

Hazel Tree - Corylus avellana

Rock Rose - Rockrose helianthemum

To explore The Borders region in Scotland

• Arrive into Edinburgh Airport EDI
• Drive 43 km or 27 miles to Peebles
• Or take the train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Tweedbank, a journey of 1 hour and 40 minutes

Arrange your hire car for your journey, choose from petrol, electric or hybrid vehicles.

By Katia Luz, sharing my fairytale bush cottage, discovering enchanting, charming, whimsical cottages, cabins and cosy little places to inspire your dreams. Contact Me. About Me.

I trust you have enjoyed the magic of My Fairytale Cottage. Bon Voyage!