DUKE'S ESTATE COTTAGES
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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.
photos copyright © HOME AT FIRST                                                                                                                                     

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. 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).

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 Duke's Estate Cottages were nicely located close to the main street of Melrose and near the major historical landmarks. The hostess and her family were all very nice."                                                          —Susan & Dennis O'Neill, California

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:
• 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.

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.

All 6 cottages on the Duke's Estate have the following attributes:
• 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.

The 5 cottages equipped for the disabled feature:
• 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.
• A two-level kitchen system with sinks, and range units at wheelchair level.
• Oven and range controls are front-mounted.
• Cottages bathrooms with side-loading baths.
• Cottages with showers have shower rooms, not shower stalls.
• 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.

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.

More information about Home At First's travel program to:
THE SCOTTISH BORDERS