Fairnilee House
Near Galashiels, Scottish Borders
In the heart of Scots country, nestled beside the River Tweed, Fairnilee House is a magnificent early 20th-century home. The home boasts impressive architecture yet a warm, inviting atmosphere to relax in tranquillity with all your loved ones. An enchanting tree-lined drive leads to Fairnilee, a peaceful haven 6 miles from the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels.
Quick Info
| Sleeps: 10/16 | Bedrooms: 6 |
| Changeover Day: Fri | Pets Allowed: Yes (3) |
| No smoking | Bathrooms: 6 |
| Licence No: SB-00769-F |
Fairnilee is a striking Scots Baronial mansion with unique features including turrets and ornate glass; as such, the house is brimming with history to uncover, like the neighbouring original (Old) Fairnilee, which dates as far back as 1600.
Fairnilee boasts beautiful rooms thoughtfully decorated and extraordinary vistas of the beautiful walled garden and grounds. Inside the house, there are plenty of spaces to lounge, a playroom for the kids, a large game/ cinema room with a snooker table, open fire and an external door to the terrace area, which overlooks the impressive garden. A cupboard for DVD/CD collection and storage for lawn croquet and badminton racquets has plenty to keep you entertained. The sophisticated office space has elegant decorations, and the catering kitchen is excellent for whipping up large meals for events. A gym, table tennis room, laundry facilities and two WCs complete the ground floor.
The cloakroom at Fairnilee’s entrance holds two WCs. Following the elegant parquet flooring through the main hallway, the house offers a myriad of pastimes: sit in the library by the open fire, cosy in with a book or prepare for a family game night of cards and chess. The morning room and sitting room are perfect for days marvelling at red squirrels, foxes, stoats, hares and perhaps pine marten from the window. A spacious dining room is furnished with charming decor and is perfect for hosting fabulous meals. The butler’s pantry and kitchen are well-appointed and include a Range Refyre cooker and dining table. This space is ideal for a hearty breakfast or morning coffee before a busy day exploring the extensive grounds of Fairnilee’s estate and the beautiful Borders countryside.
Upstairs, all the bedrooms at Fairnilee are named after the previous family members of the house. On the first floor, the master bedroom, named Inchcape, has delightful blue details, a decorative fireplace and an ensuite bathroom with a roll-top bath and separate shower. Donald has a four-poster bedroom, a super-king-size bed and an ensuite bathroom with a shower over. Craigmyle is decorated with lovely greens, offers a super-king-size bed and has an ensuite shower room with a large shower and built-in seat. It’s also connected to a room with a day bed for two children, which also converts into a comfy sofa.
Alexander is a double bedroom with a double bed and a dual access ensuite shower room. A handy bathroom lies between this floor and the one above. On the top level, The Ark works brilliantly as a family room featuring a super-king size zip and link bed and two single beds. The final bedroom is Thalia, a comfortable twin bedroom and adjacent is a shared shower room. All bathrooms, ensuites and WCs at Fairnilee have cosy underfloor heating and each bedroom has ample storage, with most including unforgettable views of the vast garden below.
There’s ample storage for outdoor equipment you need for your adventures and sufficient parking outside the entrance to Fairnilee House.
Fairnilee’s estate offers plenty of excellent activities to enjoy during your stay. Try private salmon and trout fishing on the Fairnilee beat of the famous River Tweed. Lounge in the gardens enjoying the abundance of seasonal plants and flowers, including magnolia, rhododendrons and white wisteria. Take a stroll around the heritage trees on the grounds or follow the famous Southern Uplands Way which runs through Fairnilee’s estate.
Hike the Gala Circuit and wander the heather moorlands on Neidpath Hill. Climb nearby Craig Hill or explore Yair Woods, perfect for a quiet morning stroll among mature trees with impressive views across the Tweed Valley. Nearby St Cuthbert’s Way (starting at Melrose Abbey) is unmissable and recently noted as one of the world’s top experiences by Lonely Planet; the route finishes on the historic Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
There are many brilliant shops and eateries in the surrounding pretty Borders towns. Make your way into Melrose, home of the rugby sevens, and roam the picturesque town, historic Abbey or try a round of golf under the towering Eildon Hills. Pop into Twelve Triangles bakery for a sweet treat and a coffee, or for something a little stronger, Abbey Fine Wines fantastic wine Café Bar and bottle shop. The Hoebridge (8.2 miles) is a superb award-winning fine dining restaurant in Gattonside.
In the heart of the Tweed Valley, Innerleithen (10 miles) is a pretty town to roam with amazing shops, cafe’s, including No. 1 Peebles Road, a delicious artisan coffee shop, and the popular 7stanes mountain biking trails, some of the greatest downhill routes in the country. Traquair House and grounds (open April-November), Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, is a treat to explore. Mountain bikers will also be delighted to discover Glentress Forest (14 miles) for more of the best mountain biking trails in the country.
Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells (12 miles) is a spectacular award-winning bookshop and store with plenty to keep you occupied for a cosy afternoon reading and sitting in at the delicious cafe. Firebrick Bakery (15 miles) in Lauder is another wonderful spot for tasty treats and bakes.
More popular Border’s attractions that can’t be missed during your stay are close by: Sir Walter Scott’s Baronial Home, Abbotsford House (5.8 miles), Scott’s View (12 miles) and the magnificent grounds and gardens of Floors Castle in Kelso (20 miles).
Local Events and Attractions
Please note: while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, the actual position of the cottage indicated on the map above and the proximity of the amenities in the Local Info section cannot be guaranteed to be precise and should be used as a guide only.
Accommodation
Ground Floor
Playroom
Games/cinema room with pool/snooker table, open-fire and 85" Smart TV
Office
WC with wash basin
Commercial kitchen with gas oven, gas hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and microwave
Laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer
Games room with table tennis
Gym
WC
Entry Floor
Cloakroom with two WC's and wash basins
Butler's pantry with ice maker, dumb waiter and freezer
Kitchen with oil Redfyre range cooker, 2-ring induction hob, warming drawer, fridge, dishwasher, microwave and Smart TV
Dining room with open-fire
Library with open-fire
Sitting room with open-fire and piano
Morning room with open-fire and Smart TV
WC with wash basin
Second Floor
Inchcape - Double bedroom (super king-size) with en suite bathroom with bath, separate shower, WC and wash basin
Donald - Double bedroom (super king-size) with en suite bathroom with bath and shower over, WC and wash basin
Craigmyle - Double bedroom (super king-size), adjoining room with day bed (can convert to 2 singles for children) and en suite shower room with WC and wash basin
Alexander - Double bedroom with en suite shower room with WC and wash basin
Bathroom with bath, WC and wash basin
Third Floor
The Ark - Family bedroom with super king-size bed (can convert to twin beds) and 2 single beds
Thalia - Twin bedroom
Shower room with WC and wash basin
What's included
- Alexander - Double Bedroom Linen
- Free
- Craigmyle - Super King Bedroom Linen
- Free
- Craigmyle - Childrens Room Single Linen
- Free
- Donald - Super-king Bedroom Linen
- Free
- Inchcape - Super-king Bedroom Linen
- Free
- Thalia - Twin bedroom Single Linen
- Free
- The Ark - Super-king Linen (£0 per bed)
- Free
- The Ark - Single bed Linen
- Free
- Towel sets (select number of guests)
- Free
- Highchair
- Free
- Cot (excluding linen)
- Free
- WiFi
- Free
- Pet
- Free
Services
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. Electricity is INCLUDED. Heating is by ground source heat pump (INCLUDED) and open fires (starter pack INCLUDED). WiFi is INCLUDED. Water is from a private source which is UV filtered and regularly tested; however (as is typical in many parts of Scotland) it can become discoloured particularly after heavy rainfall. Guests may therefore prefer to bring bottled water to drink. A maximum of 3 dogs are welcome (3 large, 3 medium or 3 small). No smoking.
Please note: For Fairnilee House, the tariff for 10 persons is based on the second floor bedrooms only being made available. The house sleeps a maximum of 14 adults.
Weekly Prices
The weekly guide prices for this property are shown below. Use the availability & book sidebar on the right to select your holiday or calculate short break rates (where available).
Changeover Day: Fri
| Rental - Date Range | Sleeps 10 | Sleeps 16 |
| 02 Oct 2026 - 22 Oct 2026 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 23 Oct 2026 - 19 Dec 2026 | £2,295.00 | £3,495.00 |
| 20 Dec 2026 - 27 Dec 2026 | £5,595.00 | £5,595.00 |
| 28 Dec 2026 - 05 Jan 2027 | £5,595.00 | £5,595.00 |
| 06 Jan 2027 - 28 Jan 2027 | £2,295.00 | £3,495.00 |
| 29 Jan 2027 - 25 Mar 2027 | £2,495.00 | £3,795.00 |
| 26 Mar 2027 - 15 Apr 2027 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 16 Apr 2027 - 29 Apr 2027 | £2,495.00 | £3,795.00 |
| 30 Apr 2027 - 27 May 2027 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 28 May 2027 - 03 Jun 2027 | £4,995.00 | £4,995.00 |
| 04 Jun 2027 - 24 Jun 2027 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 25 Jun 2027 - 15 Jul 2027 | £4,995.00 | £4,995.00 |
| 16 Jul 2027 - 26 Aug 2027 | £5,595.00 | £5,595.00 |
| 27 Aug 2027 - 09 Sep 2027 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 10 Sep 2027 - 30 Sep 2027 | £2,495.00 | £3,795.00 |
| 01 Oct 2027 - 21 Oct 2027 | £3,995.00 | £3,995.00 |
| 22 Oct 2027 - 19 Dec 2027 | £2,295.00 | £3,495.00 |
| 20 Dec 2027 - 27 Dec 2027 | £5,595.00 | £5,595.00 |
| 28 Dec 2027 - 05 Jan 2028 | £5,595.00 | £5,595.00 |
| 06 Jan 2028 - 05 Jan 2029 | POA | POA |
Please note: Prices are calculated based on your party size at the time of booking. If your party size changes for any reason after booking, please let us know so we can ensure the accommodation provided meets your exact requirements.
Please note: For Fairnilee House, the tariff for 10 persons is based on the second floor bedrooms only being made available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about Fairnilee House. If your question has not already been answered, you can contact our booking team.
Question: How many people does Fairnilee House sleep?
Answer: Fairnilee House sleeps up to 16 guests (14 adults max) across six bedrooms.
Question: Is the garden enclosed?
Answer: Yes. Fairnilee House has an impressive, fully enclosed walled garden of approximately two acres, with extensive lawns, wildflower and formal garden areas and a terrace. Guests can also explore the wider estate parkland and woodland, although care should be taken around areas where livestock may be grazing.
Question: Is Fairnilee House suitable for children?
Answer: Yes. The house is very well suited to family groups, with plenty of space both indoors and outside. There is a dedicated playroom with toys for younger children, along with table tennis, snooker, a cinema room and extensive gardens. A cot and highchair are also available.
Question: What cooking facilities are available?
Answer: Fairnilee House is exceptionally well equipped for larger groups, with both a family kitchen and a substantial commercial kitchen. Facilities include catering ovens and gas hobs, a four-oven Redfyre cooker, induction hob, combination microwave, multiple fridges and freezers and three dishwashers. There is also a butler's pantry and dumb waiter between the catering kitchen and dining area.
Question: Can outside caterers come to Fairnilee House?
Answer: Yes. Outside caterers are very welcome and Fairnilee House has a dedicated commercial kitchen, making it particularly well suited to professionally catered stays, weddings and special celebrations.
Question: Can we hold a wedding at Fairnilee House?
Answer: Yes. Fairnilee House can accommodate weddings and provides a beautiful setting for a celebration in the Scottish Borders. For weddings, the house must be booked for a full week to allow plenty of time for setting up beforehand, suppliers arriving and clearing everything away following the celebration.
Question: Can we hold other special celebrations at Fairnilee House?
Answer: Yes. With spacious reception rooms, extensive grounds and excellent catering facilities, Fairnilee House is ideal for special occasions such as milestone birthdays, anniversaries and family gatherings.
Question: Is there parking at Fairnilee House?
Answer: Yes. There is ample private parking at the house, making it suitable for larger groups arriving in several cars.
Question: Is there somewhere secure to store bikes or outdoor equipment?
Answer: Yes. Guests have access to a garage which can be used for secure storage of bicycles, golf clubs, fishing rods and other outdoor equipment.
Question: Can you fish nearby?
Answer: Yes. Fairnilee House is close to the River Tweed and guests can book salmon and trout fishing nearby.
Question: Are there walks from Fairnilee House?
Answer: Yes. Fairnilee House is surrounded by estate parkland and woodland, and the Southern Upland Way passes through the estate, providing excellent walking opportunities directly from the property.
Question: How far is Fairnilee House from shops, pubs and restaurants?
Answer: Galashiels and Selkirk are both approximately 6 miles away, while Melrose is around 8 miles away. The nearest shop, pub and restaurant are approximately 5.5 miles from the house.
Question: Can we get to Fairnilee House by train?
Answer: Yes. Tweedbank railway station is approximately 7 miles from Fairnilee House and offers direct rail services to and from Edinburgh.
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