In an estate-agent's blurb, Tweed Cottage would be termed 'deceptive'! It is a pleasant, traditionally Scottish, 19th century whitewashed terraced cottage situated in the main street of the small Borders village of St Boswells (shops, pub/hotel) in the south-east corner of Scotland. So far, so unexceptional. Step inside, however, and its real charms are revealed.
The cottage has all modern comforts, without losing any of its traditional appeal. Both the bedrooms are spacious and the double bedroom (king-sized bed) has its own en-suite shower room, complete with 'rose' window! The kitchen is well appointed; the bright sitting room has a coal effect gas fire and the dining room and bedrooms have original fireplaces. The whole cottage has been tastefully furnished by the owners as their own home.
At the rear there is a large, sunny, walled garden on several levels, with a patio area (furniture) close to the house. There is secure storage for fishing rods, cycles, etc., and a freezer in which to store your catch! There is parking on the street right outside the front door.
Tweed Cottage offers an excellent, central base from which to explore the beautiful Borderlands. The lovely and tranquil Dryburgh Abbey is within walking distance, the pretty town of Melrose is just 4 miles distant, and the other historic Border towns, Galashiels (swimming pool, cinema, all facilities), Kelso (pool, ice rink, racecourse), Selkirk and Jedburgh are all within half an hour's drive. Buses for Edinburgh and Berwick pass through the village almost hourly (journey time about 70 minutes) should you decide to leave the car behind for a day.
The area has a wonderful range of castles and stately homes to visit, including Sir Walter Scott's beloved Abbotsford (5m). There are delightful walks along the river Tweed, or up on the Eildon Hills. St Cuthbert's Way, which runs between Melrose and Lindisfarne, literally passes the front doorstep. St Boswells stands on the edge of the less hilly part of the Borders and the region is criss-crossed by a network of cycleways. Golfers can stroll down to the 9-hole riverside course in the village, while the famous Roxburghe course is only a few minutes away by car. Buying a 'Freedom of the Fairways' ticket gives access to no less than 21 golf courses in the area! There are riding stables just 3 miles away at Cowdenknowes, and tennis courts on the edge of the village and at Melrose.
Then, of course, there is the fishing. Permits are available for salmon on the mighty Tweed, but there are also many river and lochan locations for a day's trout fishing.
Or, for a complete change, the seaside is under an hour's drive away, where the great seabird sanctuary at St Abbs Head and the quiet, sandy beaches at Coldingham and the Northumbrian coast are well worth a visit.
The cottage has gas central heating (INCLUDED). Bedlinen, towels and electricity are INCLUDED. Pets are welcome.
