Scottish Borders cottages Scottish Borders

Recently converted laundry cottage set in 14 acres of land in the lovely Ettrick Valley, near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. The nearby barn is equipped for entertainment from yoga courses to ceildihs.

Birdsong delivered with abandon, the busy hum of an insect, the gentle rustle of leaf on leaf – these are the only sounds I hear as I bask in the late afternoon sunshine in the neat, south facing garden of a newly converted holiday cottage in the beautiful Ettrick Valley in the Scottish Borders. Until recently a disused laundry, this is now a very comfortable and stylish self catering holiday home set in a perfect spot in which to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the farm and the rolling green hills which stretch as far as the eye can see.

On first entering our cottage we're met by the welcoming sight of a large, airy open plan living area filled with natural light and beautifully decorated in lovely, natural colours and fabrics with warm, solid wood underfoot. The stove is easy to light, intensifying the cosy feeling and soon we're sinking into the comfy sofas and enjoying the views of meadows, the valley and the hills beyond. All the accommodation is on one floor, so high ceilings and plenty of windows mean light floods in throughout the cottage and all the rooms feel spacious and bright.

The farm is a wonderful place for enjoying wildlife, with its own pond frequented by otters, amphibians and ducks, varied resident birdlife, red squirrels and deer all regular visitors and we're happy to just sit quietly, relax and watch to see what might appear.

A wonderful day out at Abbotsford by the River Tweed, once the home of Sir Walter Scott, with its impressive rooms, huge library of rare books and glorious gardens inspired evenings spent lost in romantic novels and poetry in the perfect comfort of the cosy sofas by the warming glow of the wood stove.