EXPLORE SCOTLAND FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME

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NEAR MELROSE, BORDERS
SOUTHEASTERN SCOTLAND
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A Superb Location for Touring the Borders.
Lodgings with All the Comforts of Home,
Plus Accessibility for the Disabled.

THE SETTING: In a fold of the landmark trio of Eildon Hills above the attractive small Scottish Borders town of Melrose, an 18th century farm has been converted into the six lodgings of the Duke’s Estate Cottages. The Georgian stone farm buildings date from 1830 and were originally part of the Duke of Buccleuch’s estate. The property lies 600 feet up on the northern side of the famous Eildon Hills, with fine views over the Tweed Valley to the distant hills beyond. The estate is quiet and secure — at the end of a private and well-maintained road with no through traffic — yet the cottages are not remote.

THE RUINS OF MELROSE ABBEY
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

They are within a half-mile of historic Melrose, with
its excellent shops and restaurants, and world-famous Abbey. Neighboring the estate is the Melrose Golf Club (9 holes).

Cottage at the Duke's Estate.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

THE ACCOMMODATIONS: The Duke’s Estate complex consists of six self-contained cottages. Each is unique, but all are bright, warm, comfortable, and very well equipped. Five of the six are suitable for disabled visitors with unobtrusive handicapped adaptations. The welcoming owner/hosts reside on-site in the former main farmhouse.
        The 6 award-winning lodgings are modern, yet have been designed to have a cottage feel. All the cottages are graded 4 Stars (out of 5 possible) by the Scottish Tourist Board, and have

won national accessibility awards, the Central

Borders’ Civic Trust Special Award for excellence, and two architectural awards for the design and landscaping of the cottage complex.

THE REGION: The Scottish Borders is unspoiled and relatively unknown, a land of important history and surprising beauty.
          The Duke’s Estate Cottages are ideally placed for touring the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside on almost traffic-free roads. Abbotsford, home of Scotland’s famous novelist, Sir Walter Scott, lies within four miles. The scenic landscape and the interesting people of the Borders are often the subject matter of Walter Scott’s still popular writings. The region’s most famous landmark, the trio of Eildon Hills, is best seen from Scott’s View near Dryburgh.
          There is much in the area to interest historians, architects and gardeners. The Borders abounds with many fascinating places of interest, including:

Medieval Smailholm Tower
near Kelso.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

• 4 Border Abbeys: Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh, & Dryburgh.

• Many major and minor castle fortresses and palatial homes, including Kelso’s Floors Castle, the home of the Duke of Roxburgh and Abbotsford, the former home of the novelist Sir Walter Scott, which is less than 4 miles from the Duke’s Estate. About the same distance from Melrose is Timontium, the site of an important Roman fort on the Roman road leading north from England into Scotland. Within day-trip reach of the cottages are destinations beyond the Borders including:

• Edinburgh is 60–90 minutes drive north.

• The North Sea coastline, about 45-60 minutes drive east with Holy Island and the great castles of Northumberland.

The Eildon Hills from Scotts View.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

ACTIVITIES POSSIBLE: In addition to motor touring, excellent sporting opportunities of all kinds abound in the Borders. The beautiful River Tweed flows through Melrose and offers trout and salmon fishing. About one dozen other golf courses are within easy reach of Melrose. Hill walking and golf are available virtually from the door of the cottages. From the cottages, a footpath leading down to Melrose is part of the 100-kilometer St. Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose east to the ancient Lindisfarne Abbey on Holy Island near Berwick. Hiking and biking paths abound in the area, ranging from testing climbs in the local hills — including the long-distance Southern Upland Way — to easy routes in the Tweed valley.

Fly casting, River Tweed
near Melrose, Borders.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

Duke's Estate Cottage Interior

• Electric radiant heat.
• Color TV/video.
• Shaver points and heated towel racks in bath/shower rooms.
• Children’s beds & highchairs when needed.
• Welcome tea tray on arrival, with homemade cake.
• Garden chairs provided.
• Nature walks on manicured estate paths.
• Car parking beside or in front of each cottage.
• Laundry Facilities: washer/dryers in 3 cottages
• Separate laundry room for the other 3 cottages.
• Pay telephones in 3 cottages; pay phone in the common laundry room

   for the other 3 cottages.

• Single car parking immediately outside the door.
• Access without steps or ramps.
• Wide (34") doorways.
• Plugs & switches at wheelchair height; low windows.
• All faucets have lever controls.
• Plenty of grab rails and kick plates.
• Accessible closets without doors.
• Many beds are height adjustable.
• Oven and range controls are front-mounted.
• Cottages bathrooms with side-loading baths.
• Cottages with showers have shower rooms, not shower stalls.
• A two-level kitchen system with sinks, and range units at wheelchair
   level.

Disabled Accessible Shower
Room of Duke's Estate Cottage

• Two cottages have fitted electric hoists with ceiling track to transport
   from bed to bath or shower.
• A portable hoist is available for use in the other cottages, and 3 of the cottages have a trapeze pull.
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AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call HOME AT FIRST
at (800) 523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com.
 
NOTE: The Duke's Estate Cottages receive uniformly excellent reviews
for location, hosting, and quality from HOME AT FIRST guests.