A triumphant 'Yes!' is likely to be most people's reaction when they discover the quality of the accommodation they have booked at Satchell's Cottage, a charming, detached and now most beautifully refurbished farm cottage between Selkirk and Melrose in the Scottish Borders.
They will have found the approach to the cottage very promising too, situated as it is in the heart of the lovely Borders countryside, a half mile by a good track from the nearest country road, with breathtaking views away to the Eildon Hills to the east and surrounded by its own enclosed grass garden with decking area (furniture). Yet it is only 10 minutes from the A7 north of Hawick in one direction and 20 minutes from Melrose in the other. And as the icing on this delectable cake, there is even a delightful country golf course at the bottom of the track!
Inside, the attentive owner has tried to think of everything that will make your stay as enjoyable as possible and has furnished the cottage with great flair and style. The dining kitchen is spacious and very well equipped, and the large sitting room has a cosy corner with open fire and patio doors opening to the decking area, with the principal seating so organised that you can admire the views whatever the weather. Downstairs too, are a twin and two single bedrooms and an excellent shower room, while upstairs has a landing area and an enormous and beautifully light double bedroom with combed ceilings and Velux windows, where you can lie in bed and (what else?) admire these views! So the accommodation is not only extremely comfortable but versatile too.
For all the peace and tranquillity of the surroundings (Satchells is a working sheep farm, but most activity takes place well short of the cottage), here you are very much at the centre of things. The village of Lilliesleaf (2.5m) has two pubs and a cafe. A short drive will bring you to a number of the historic border towns, Hawick, Selkirk and Melrose, all of which have excellent facilities. The former two have a leisure centre or swimming pool and there is riding at Ashkirk.
The area's many historic houses, Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford, Floors Castle, Bowhill, Thirlestane Castle, to name but a few, are all well worth a visit, nor should the Border abbeys be missed. The Berwickshire coast can be reached in just over an hour, as can Edinburgh. (Leaving the car in, say, Galashiels and taking the hourly bus service is highly recommended if spending a day in the City.)
And for the energetic, there is not only golf and riding, but superb walking in all directions, world class mountain biking trails at Glentress and Innerleithen, fishing, canoeing - all sporting tastes are well catered for.
Bedlinen, towels, electricity and the first £15 of oil-CH are INCLUDED. Sorry, pets are not accepted and smoking is not permitted in the cottage. From 2012 the cottage will have the added benefit of a hot tub in the garden!
