The charming village of Gattonside lies just across the Tweed from the historic town of Melrose, some 35 miles south of Edinburgh, in the midst of the beautiful Border country so beloved of Sir Walter Scott. Wander your way down to the river and across a chain footbridge which links the village to the pretty streets of Melrose. There’s a quiet park just round the corner from Hollybank where kids can play and picnic on a sunny day.

Nearby Melrose is renowned not just for its famous ruined abbey and the legendary Eildon Hills which tower over the town, but for its excellent eating places and charming independent shops. Stop in at Apples for Jam, grab a bakery treat from Twelve Triangles or try Abbey Fine Wines for a taste of the delicious food of their cafe bar or their wide variety of wines.

You don't even have to go that far for a meal out, as Gattonside itself boasts two prestigious restaurants, The Hoebridge and Seasons, both within a few minutes' walk from the cottage.

Walkers will find themselves within half a mile of the Southern Upland Way, while St Cuthbert's Way starts in Melrose and heads for Lindisfarne. Walk through stunning countryside to the Leaderfoot Viaduct. Anglers have the Tweed practically on the doorstep and there are plenty of stocked lochs nearby.

Melrose has an excellent 9-hole golf course on the shoulder of the Eildon Hills and is just one of many excellent courses in the area. There are tennis courts in the park at Melrose and riding about 4 miles away at Cowdenknowes. You’re also in the heart of rugby country with the Greenyards at Melrose being the home of the rugby Sevens game. Cyclists will delight in exploring the Borders and the excellent 7stanes mountain biking trails can be found at Innerleithen (16 miles).

There are plenty of stately homes, ruined abbeys, historic castles and peel towers to visit - the nearest being Sir Walter Scott’s baronial home at Abbotsford, just four miles away. The beaches of East Lothian, Berwickshire and Northumberland are within an hour's drive and worth the trip. Hawick, a historic textile town, has plenty of attractions to visit.

The impressive capital, Edinburgh, is extremely accessible either by car or by jumping on the train at Tweedbank (2 miles) and be there in under an hour.