4 Fantastic Holiday Cottages in the Scottish Borders

Welcome to the Scottish Borders: the area in the southeast of Scotland. It's named like this because it lies on the border between Scotland and England. The English side of the border is a kind of natural boundary, that exists of moorland and hills and even parks such as Northumberland National Park. There aren't many settlements, only a few towns and villages. Before we show you the best holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders, let me tell you why it could be an interesting stay for you.

The Scottish Borders is well-known for its agricultural and food products. But what makes this area especially incredible for visiting, is that it’s hilly, rural, and filled with castles, ruined abbeys and footpaths. Even famous writers such as Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan loved the Scottish Borders, as the nature of the Scottish Borders inspired them to create masterpieces. Furthermore, the activities you can do in the Scottish Borders are endless. Think about fishing, cycling, walking, horse riding, shooting, and more. So I can ensure you that you can get a perfect mix of activities and nature during your stay in the Scottish Borders. 

The Hadrian’s Wall

Interesting to see for sure is the Hadrian's Wall, which you can find near the border between Scotland and England. This wall was built by the Roman army and has been their northwest frontier for nearly 300 years! Why was it built? It was there to defend the part of Britain that the Roman empire controlled. Even though the wall isn’t that high, you can imagine it must’ve been hard to cross this with horses, wagons, and all kinds of other army equipment.

The Romans invaded Scotland many times and established camps and forts as far north as Perthshire, so they didn't stop at Hadrian's wall. 20 years after Hadrian's wall was built, the Romans built another wall named the Antonine wall. This wall stretches from Glasgow in the west to Edinburgh in the east.

Anyways, a lot had been going on between Scotland and England in the past. Think about the independence war alone, which has done a lot of damage to historical buildings such as the Khalsa Abbey. Once, this abbey was one of Scotland’s largest and wealthiest religious houses, invited by Kind David the first. This is one of the most spectacular examples of Romanesque architecture in Scotland.

Are you ready to see the best Holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders? From there, you’ll get the perfect starting point to explore the rest of the area.

Aikwood Tower

How does it sound to stay in a holiday home that’s a tower? Yes, it’s a tower within a castle that’s rich in history and charm. Located in the Scottish Borders, this Aikwood Tower is surrounded by rolling hills, stunning rivers of the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys, and woodland trails. You'll also be close to pretty villages like Selkirk (3km away) and the must-visit City of Edinburgh (5km away). This tower has a place for up to ten guests in luxurious comfort. For who is this tower? For everyone seeking a historic setting for romance, adventure and relaxation, or something truly unique for a wedding or an unforgettable experience with friends or family.

What they’ve done very well, is that the Aikwood Tower kept its original charm even though it has five-star luxury offerings. And the tower has it all: a fabulous Aga heated kitchen, a superb games room, five beautiful bedroom suites, a dining room, a study and upper living room, and an attached Laich Hall. This hall makes the Aikwood Tower perfect for special events like weddings. So the tower itself offers all the luxury and amenities you could want. And did I tell you that Aikwood Tower has a beautiful walled garden, too? This garden is so relaxing and dreamy, and it has a terrace which is perfect for enjoying your favourite drinks after a day exploring the Scottish Borders.

Interestingly, all bedrooms are named after the Scott family clan who once owned Aikwood Tower for 500 years! The names are Buccleuch, Sir Walter Scott, Steel, Wizard and Harden. These bedrooms have Duxiana beds, which are known as the 'most technologically advanced sleep system in the world. Well, isn't that something you'd like to try? You'll for sure sleep like a king or queen. And as every king or queen deserves, each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom.

P.S. I highly recommend Aikwood Tower for a wedding. It’s hard to find such as special place like this to get married. If you’re not planning to get married and you want to see more, then have a look at my other recommendations for holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders.

Aikwood Tower - Pricing

How much does Aikwood Tower cost? The price of the property depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £2,446 and £7,310. Nov 28th - Dec 20th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please click on the button below.

Langton Castle

What if you want something more than a holiday cottage in the Scottish Borders? Well, why not choose a complete castle? With 12 bedrooms, Langston Castle can host over 26 guests. This makes it perfect for big groups or families as well. This castle is filled with history and it's been owned by the same family for almost 600 years! The current house within is built in 1785 and still has the walls of a much older castle. At this moment, the castle is still in the hands of a family. It's only available for rentals. The guests who've been here before you, all say that they experience a very relaxed atmosphere. And the surroundings are wonderful.

Within the castle, you see that the castle is restored and continually maintained. You won’t be disappointed as you'll find all the modern comforts you look for. This is exactly what makes this castle special: it's modern, but at the same time you'll still taste the vibes of history. It still has its original charm. From Langton castle, you have a dream starting point to explore the rest of the area. Think about a visit to Edinburgh which is only about an hour away. Langton castle is also one mile South East of the Duns in the eastern Scottish Borders. They say this is probably the most accessible part of rural Scotland.

The drive alone towards this castle is an experience on its own. As it stands at the end of a 500-yard private drive, you'll first have to drive through beautiful grass parks and woodland. From there you also have views of the Cheviot hills. So, are you looking for complete relaxation, combined with privacy and no traffic noise? Have you always wanted to experience living in a castle? Then this is your choice. Enjoy beautiful Scotland, enjoy modern amenities, and enjoy other castles and richly historic towns in the area.

Langton Castle - Pricing

How much does Langton Castle cost? The price of the property depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £20,963 and £22,038. Jun 23rd - Aug 26th is the most expensive period. So if you want to go cheaper, choose a date that’s outside these summer months. For the latest prices, please click on the button below.

Wallace House

Doesn't this house look inviting to go to? It's a Georgian country house, set above a sloped lawn surrounded by trees. You'll get an open view across the Tweed valley too. From the outside, it could look a bit formal, but as soon as you get inside you'll taste a relaxing atmosphere. The entrance is amazing too, as you'll come into a Grand Hall which you can see in the picture below. There's no way you wouldn't feel welcome immediately. Wallace House carries a theme that's mixed with modern art and antique furniture. This means that you can find this theme throughout the whole house.

I think our favourite room is the drawing room, which is a large expansive room that has an open fire and views to the front. There are enough comfortable chairs and sofas to relax in. At the start, I told you that this Wallace House looks formal on the outside and relaxed on the inside, but you can also find a more formal section to the front. This combination is quite special if you ask me. The front-facing dining room has space for about 12 people. If you're planning to stay with a bigger number, then you can also add a table to offer 4 people more a seat in the dining room.

Did I mention yet that there's a baby grand piano too within the sitting room? Perfect for those who'd love to play some piano songs (or to check off playing the piano in a Georgian country house which was on your bucket list). In the same room, you can find a TV with a Freeview connection too. The drawing room is nicely decorated with traditional pictures of family portraits, and the sitting room has modern art on show. Here you can perfectly see the mixture of modern art and an antique style.

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your stay at the Scottish Borders within this gorgeous Georgian country house? Oh, and it's pet-friendly too. Your dog is allowed access at the ground floor level. And you're only about 26 miles away from Edinburgh.

Wallace House - Pricing

How much does Wallace House cost? The price of the property depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £2,484 and £3,924. Dec 1st - Dec 19th is the most affordable period. For the latest prices, please click on the button below.

Turret Mansion House

If you seek more luxury than the Wallace House described before, then I highly recommend having a look at the Turret Mansion house. The Turret Mansion house is a classic country house with views across the stunning Scottish Borders countryside. Doesn’t this house look like it comes from a fairytale? It’s nicely tucked away in elegant surroundings, and the house offers you all the comfort and luxury that you need. Turret Mansion house is ideal for family groups or friends, as it has 11 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. And what about a wedding or business meeting? If you want a memory you’ll never forget, then this can be your choice.

If you want to, you can even hire a butler or housekeeper. All the guests said that they loved the butler's work. He was there whenever you needed him. ''The service we got from him from the moment we arrived until we left was spot on.'' He makes sure you'll get enough delicious food, and drinks, and he gets your grumpy face off you in the morning as he always has a smile on his face. Also ''The caterers were excellent and produced very good food with us barely noticing they had even arrived.''

The rooms are beautifully decorated. You can play pool if you want, whilst admiring great views through the window, the bedrooms look very nice and cosy, and the living areas have extremely relaxing sofas. The soft colours of both the walls and the sofas are relaxing and inviting. There's enough room for everyone to sit and eat. To put this short: this place is fantastic. What else do you want from holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders?

I highly recommend looking at all the pictures when you click the button below.

P.S. Did I mention that it is a Baronial-style country house, which once was the former home of the Gladstone Family, made famous by Prime Minister William Gladstone?

Turret Mansion House - Pricing

How much does Turret Mansion house cost? The price of the property depends on the period and demand. Weekly, the price range is between £10,500 and £16,100. Nov 30th - Dec 20^th, and Jan 3rd - Jan 6th is the most affordable periods. For the latest prices, please click on the button below.

After our holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders

Now you know exactly which holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders are more than worth considering. If you want to know more tips about where to stay in Scotland, then I highly recommend checking out one of these other articles:

• 6 Luxury cottages in Loch Lomond
• 5 luxury villas to rent in Scotland – Wow factor
• 4 Best luxury cottages in Perthshire
• A Fairy-Tale Wedding Venue in Edinburgh
• 6 Luxury Lodges in the Highlands that you have to Try!
• 14 Luxury cottages in The Highlands
• Waverley Castle Hotel – Our full review!
  

If you are going to try one of these holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders, please let us know! I hope you will enjoy them as much as we did.