The Southern Upland Way long distance walking route runs from Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway over to Cockburnspath on the eastern coast of the Scottish Borders covering 214 miles in total. As the walk passes right by the property it is easy to head off into the rolling hills to properly explore.

If mountain biking is on the agenda the house is ideally located with the Elibank (4 miles) forestry trails to try out as well as the choice of two amazing 7stanes mountain biking centres at Innerleithen (3 miles) and Glentress (7.5 miles) with cycle hire available at both.

Innerleithen is the place for supermarket shopping or a wander around the other interesting shops that are dotted around. The Traquair Arms Hotel makes a handy stop off point for lunch, dinner or a delicious, traditional Sunday roast and the Robert Smail’s Victorian Letterpress Printing Works, a working Victorian print works, runs tours and fascinating letterpress workshops.

The Borders have many historical points of interest with everything from stately homes to impressive castles to visit. Take a tour around Traquair House (1.75 miles), Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited house that has been lived in for over 900 years and is now home to the current Lady of Traquair. The maze in the grounds is great fun and a good chance to test out the old sense of direction and there is a brewery on site that produces tasty real ales.

With horse riding, hill walking, golf and fishing being just some of the many activities nearby, the Scottish Borders certainly has something for everyone. If a day in the city beckons the train station in Galashiels (14.5 miles) makes it easy to head up to the gorgeous capital Edinburgh where the possibilities are endless.