Swanshiel Cottage has an enchanting setting in a rural landscape near the village of Bonchester Bridge in the Scottish Border Country about halfway (1.5 hrs drive) between Hadrian's Wall and the Northumbrian coast and Edinburgh. It faces south with wonderful views from every window over the high green Cheviot Hills, and stands, all on its own, in an enclosed grass garden (garden furniture), at the end of a private drive, with hardly a neighbour in sight - a newly-renovated, very comfortable, traditional crofter's cottage, superbly set amongst hills surveyed by curlews and larks and patrolled by badgers, rabbits and occasional deer. The drive is also flanked at the far end by the cottage's own private lochan.
Inside, there is a spacious sitting room with wood-burner, a pleasant farmhouse-style kitchen, a new bathroom, downstairs double bedroom and two twin bedded rooms upstairs. It is all very snug and very comfortable.
Bonchester Bridge, just two miles away, is a delightful little village with a pub and village shop. Some seven miles distant is Hawick with the mills of such famous Scottish knitwear firms as Pringle, Braemar and Peter Scott, to say nothing of a leisure centre with good facilities for a rainy day. Melrose with its famous Abbey and Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford; Jedburgh with its Abbey and Mary, Queen of Scots House, both offer shops, restaurants and mill-outlets about 30 minutes drive away, and there is excellent golf (buy a reduced ticket for 21 courses), fishing available on the Rivers Tweed, Teviot and Ettrick; water-sports at Kielder; and a choice of historic castles and stately homes to visit.
Further afield, you can be in either Edinburgh or on the coast on either the Scottish or English side of the Border within a one and a half hour drive.
Walkers will find themselves in close proximity to the Cheviot Hills, and almost equidistant between the Pennine Way to the east, which winds up the country to end at Yetholm, and the Southern Upland Way to the north.
Heating is by gas Central Heating (first £25 included) and electricity (first £25 included). Bed-linen and towels can be hired. Pets are welcome by arrangement. Smoking is not permitted
