September 13, 2023
Holidaying in the footsteps of St Cuthbert
The Old Melrose Estate is rich with history.
The Old Melrose Estate is rich with history.
September 13, 2023
The Old Melrose Estate is rich with history.
The Old Melrose Estate is rich with history.
The Folly, on the Old Melrose Estate, is one of the most unique and magical holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders.
The Folly, on the Old Melrose Estate, is one of the most unique and magical holiday cottages in the Scottish Borders.
The latest two dog friendly holiday cottages on the Old Melrose Estate are East Tweed and West Tweed.
The latest two dog friendly holiday cottages on the Old Melrose Estate are East Tweed and West Tweed.
A wonderful wooded estate with lots of beautiful walks overlooking the river – Cottage very comfortable and thoughtfully equipped – everything worked
14/06/2024
Idyllic location and lovely cottage with wonderful walks and wildlife from the door. Everything was beautifully clean and well presented with a delicious basket of treats sourced from the estate. The owners were very welcoming and helpful too, when we managed to leave our charger behind! We really enjoyed our holiday and would highly recommend.
09/06/2024
The owners provide a great experience. They are welcoming without being obtrusive. The cottage is straight forward to settle into and very homely to stay in. The grounds are lovely to walk around and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. The local towns with their independent shops, enhanced our stay.
24/03/2024
Matched our expectations from the description given. Welcome package was helpful and yummy too.
11/03/2024
A very relaxing and enjoyable break.
11/01/2024
River Cottage was a well presented cottage which had quality without being ostentatious. The owners live next door and were helpful without being obtrusive.. Local walks and wildlife were available from the front door whilst there was easy access to town and countryside further afield. Despite the weather it was such a successful holiday that we have already booked a return visit. 07/11/2023
Gorgeous place, well equipped, spotlessly clean, wonderfully appointed. Cottage has everything you need. Some wonderful walks on the estate. More walks in local woods (Glentress) not far away. Lovely tearoom on the site. Some local shops in Melrose are fantastic. Not your mainstream kind of shops, also a mainstream co-op. Further afield some great days out including Holy Island/Lindisfarne, check tide times carefully. Was our second visit, there will be a third and fourth visit in time.
29/10/2023
The cottage was excellent and had everything that we needed. It’s in a fantastic location, and we loved sitting in the walled garden in the evenings with a glass of wine. The owners were also very nice people.
28/09/2023
Very nice people, great cottage, big garden, including a walled garden, including river tweed, very secluded, very big area to wonder around, Just below Scots View, very very nice place to book your holiday if you like peace and quiet.
29/06/2023
Lovely property in delightful location. Peace and quiet. Great walks from door. Helpful owners. Amazing flora and fauna. Property well fitted out with just about everything you could need. Nice welcome pack. Highly recommended.
04/05/2023
The cottage was excellent. Warm, clean and very comfortable. Superb location, both for access to walks by the river, but also for local towns, walks and historical sites.
31/03/2023
Great cottage, brilliant location and helpful owner.
09/03/2023
Everything you would expect from a home away from home plus an entire estate outside to wander in.
28/09/2022
Beautifully appointed cottage in delightful surroundings.
17/08/2022
River Cottage is an absolutely amazing place to stay. The whole cottage was immaculate and very well thought out. The addition of a lounge next to the main bedroom was an excellent addition. You couldn’t wish for a better locaton. The cottage itself was perfect, adjacent to the owners home. The owners themselves were very friendly and couldn’t have been more helpful. And there was a lovely welcome basket which was most appreciated. The surrounding grounds are beautiful with plenty of walks.
30/07/2022
A peaceful week in a well presented cottage in a beautiful part of Scotland. Conveniently situated to explore the local area. Thank you William and Frankie for hosting us and for sharing your lovely Estate.
07/07/2022
Lovely, comfortable well equipped cottage in a gem of a situation.
05/05/2022
A peaceful haven, beautifully cared for!
18/03/2022
Fabulous cottage, very well equipped, cosy and welcoming. Perfect location. Would love to return. Hosts also strike just the right balance between privacy and availability.
10/03/2022
Our stay at Old Melrose was out of this world. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking and the cottage was ideally located. Nestled in a secluded estate, far from the hustle and bustle, but close enough to Melrose for shopping and eating out. And Melrose has an amazing and eclectic range of shops from artisan butchers, bakers, gift shops and interiors/antiques. Good restaurants, lively pub scene and coffee shops. The cottage itself was perfect. Authentic country house chic, comfortable and equipped with everything we needed for a week’s stay. The walled garden and walk down to the River Tweed was magical. It was springer heaven for our spaniel.
18/11/2021
This is a beautiful cottage in a stunning peaceful location. Highly recommended.
11/11/2021
Very happy with the cottage. It was just what we were looking for. Excellent location.
27/09/2021
A superb week in a cottage that was meticulously prepared with everything needed for a relaxing holiday including a welcome hamper full of pleasant surprises. The estate is beautiful and nestled in an oxbow of the River Tweed. An additional bonus was the welcome from our hosts who couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. The walled garden and riverside walk lifted the spirits on a daily basis. Thoroughly recommend.
10/07/2021
Fabulous cottage in a great location – we have now stayed there three times and have already booked for next year!
13/06/2021
Wonderful location and wonderful hosts!
19/11/2020
One of the very best cottages we have stayed in. Spacious, warm and exceptionally well equipped. The location was beautiful. The owners were very helpful without being intrusive.
23/10/2020
Extremely clean and safe, given present conditions. Everything in cottage to a high standard of quality. Friendly and helpful hosts. Superb location.
08/10/2020
Spotless, warm, cosy and really well equipped.
16/01/2020
We stayed for a week over Christmas. The cottage was well equipped, warm and cosy. The location was stunning and William and Frankie couldn’t have been more welcoming.What more could one wish for? We’ve already booked a return visit later this year.
16/01/2020
Cottage was perfect for our needs. Decor and facilities were excellent and the hosts/owners were extremely pro-active at ensuring we were happy. Attention to detail was particularly impressive: little toiletries, welcome basket with delicious brownies etc, really does add huge value and makes you feel that you’re being taken care of. An excellent customer experience. We will absolutely be returning again.
03/01/2020
Faultless!
13/12/2019
Fantastic cottage and location.
06/12/2019
The cottage was everything you wanted and more. Very well equipped and our welcome gifts were highly appreciated. The garden and the lovely surrounding were excellent for exploring.
23/08/2019
Excellent cottage, in an amazing location. Very clean and well equipped, with a lovely welcome basket on arrival. Particularly enjoyed the homemade Rhubarb jam. The children loved the animals and there were some beautiful walks around the area. Would not hesitate to return again in the future.
08/08/2019
You have everything you will need for your stay. You are near Melrose if you want to eat out, but the kitchen is equipped with everything you would need to make a meal. The lounge and bedrooms are very comfortable so you can relax.
14/07/2019
Cottage is located in “Old Melrose” and has the river and walks on site and a beautiful walled garden. The cottage is furnished to a high spec and has everything you may need. The owners are next door but don’t let that put you off as they do not interfere with your enjoyment. Lots of shops/ business deliver to cottage which would have been useful to know before – so check that before you travel. We had a great time.
01/07/2019
Beautiful location, excellent cottage, friendly owners – altogether perfect!
20/06/2019
Fabulous, well-equipped cottage – our second visit – in a beautiful location. We’ll be back in 2020!
14/06/2019
Ideal for two of us and dog. Lovely walks. We did a lot of exploring. Owners next door but did not feel it spoils our privacy. Lovely area.
18/04/2019
Our cottage was everything and more than what I expected. Fabulous welcome tray and very friendly and helpful hosts. We both felt rather privileged to have been able to take advantage of what the estate has to offer.
14/03/2019
Wonderful cottage with great owners.
07/03/2019
This is a lovely cottage. Warm, spacious, clean and well appointed. We enjoyed lovely walks around the estate and along the river and cosy evenings beside the fire. William is a very attentive host.
02/03/2019
First class ,we have rebooked.
19/01/2019
Unparalleled location on the River Tweed with fabulous walks. Very friendly and helpful hosts.
12/12/2018
A lovely Autumn break in a wonderful area. River Cottage is in a gorgeous rural setting, within a wooded meander of the River Tweed. A very comfortable base for exploring near and far, with miles of paths from the front door.
26/11/2018
Everything about this cottage could not be better: the cottage itself, the location, the hospitability of the owners (who live next door). From what I understand it has been rented out for less than a year, and I expect that it has already become so popular that early booking is necessary if you want to stay here. It is the perfect place for any time of the year (we were there in October, with beautiful autumn colours). The cottage is in the private part of the estate, but guests of the cottage are free to walk everywhere, including the walled garden. For children it must be paradise.
28/10/2018
We found the accommodation most comfortable. Plenty of fuel for the log burner and an impressive hospitality tray when we arrived.
27/10/2018
Everything as per description – comfortable and warm, great location, great modern facilities.
23/09/2018
Absolutely first class , wonderful setting and the hosts were more than helpful, highly recommended. Would like to return again.
15/09/2018
We are holiday cottage veterans of many years but River Cottage is – hands down – the best. From the delicious home-baked bread and brownies which greeted us to the first class facilities in the cottage, everything was just perfect. Within an hour of arriving our children were insisting that we return again next year – and that was even before they had got to know the owner’s children!
Wonderful hosts, fabulous holiday – thank you!
09/09/2018
Beautiful cottage, beautiful location. Very friendly and helpful owners.
15/06/2018
The cottage was superb, location was fantastic and the hosts were lovely.
18/05/2018
Excellent cottage with a high standard of decorations and furnishings. Peaceful, scenic location with walks from the cottage door. Near to Melrose for restaurants etc. One of the best cottages we’ve stayed in.
16/04/2018
They have refurbished the cottage to such a high standard. The surrounding land is simply breathtaking.
15/04/2018
A perfect cottage for a mid-winter break. We were a party of four adults and a dog, and we found the cottage to be warm, spacious and fitted out to a high specification, giving the feeling of a real home rather than a holiday cottage. We loved the underfloor heating downstairs and the log stove in the living room, and the ‘welcome hamper’ in the kitchen was much appreciated on arrival. The weather turned very severe and we became snowed in, but the owners next door offered every assistance to ensure we had sufficient provisions and kept the access track clear (and arranged a tow for us when we were finally able to leave!). The walks from the door along the River Tweed are beautiful — even in blizzards — and the history of Old Melrose is fascinating. We can’t wait to come back in early summer and complete the many walks in the local area, but we couldn’t have wished for a lovelier cottage in which to find ourselves trapped by the snow. A huge ‘thank you’ to our kind hosts for making this one of our best cottage holidays ever.
14/03/2018
A lovely cottage in a beautiful setting, presented to a very high standard. The welcome pack of bread, brownies and other goodies was a particularly nice touch.
10/03/2018
Great cottage, great location, lovely owners. Couldn’t fault it.
07/03/2018
The cottage was clean, warm and very well equipped, including the kitchen. The location is stunning – perched high above a 180-bend in the River Tweed (although you can’t see the river from the cottage). The whole estate is very well looked after, extremely picturesque and there are some fantastic walks to be had, either along the River Tweed or through woodland, or both. They’ve obviously made some effort to establish certain walks of interest through some stunning scenery, and there is some historical context provided on some. Once we exhausted ourselves, we found great tea and cake in the nearby tea-rooms half-way along the drive. A wonderful stay, highly recommended.
08/02/2018
Superb cottage/lodge, amazing views in a peaceful setting. Walking around the estate and river bank was so relaxing. Would love to revisit in autumn/winter.
29/06/2024
Wow. An absolutely fantastic property located on a perfect setting overlooking fields and woodlands. The hosts are helpful and friendly and it was fabulous having loads of walks from the doorstep. This is a gem. I would highly recommend even has luxury swing seat and a covered seating area just incase of the odd spot of rain. The welcome pack was superb with loads of produce produced on the estate, a really lovely touch. The trees along the river bank and walk along the river really takes your breath away. We have booked a return visit and we can’t wait.
08/06/2024
What a gem of a place! The location is lovely-at the heart of a historic estate, with gorgeous walks from the door. There is such a friendly feeling and you can access all areas, including visiting the estates goats, horses, sheep and chickens. The river side location is beautiful, and so relaxing. The addition of the estate tearoom, just a minute from the cottage is such a plus, and the cakes were delicious! The lodge itself is stunning-really high quality and every detail thought of. The views from the balcony were so lovely, especially waking up in the morning. It’s very dog friendly, all enclosed, with the bonus of an enclosed field right outside. The welcome basket was lovely, well thought out and a little treat on arrival. We would definitely stay here again.
08/04/2024
The hosts couldn’t have done more for us. Welcoming and fresh local produce on arrival. Perfect base for many activities.
16/11/202
Cottage is comfortable, warm and extremely well equipped. The Lodge is in a quiet estate with wonderful walks, and the owners look in from time to time to make sure you are happy and that there is nothing that you require.
09/11/2023
Quality fittings and well designed in a lovely location.
27/10/2023
Perfect cottage for two people lovely basket of home made goodies on arrival. Very well stocked kitchen with every utensil you would need really comfy bed Stunning setting listening to the river that’s across the field from it. Trees all around.
20/10/2023
The accommodation was first class. The owners have taken a lot of time to make a very comfortable environment, with quality fittings and furnishings. It is in a beautiful setting, with plenty to do nearby and the owners are warm and welcoming but not at all intrusive. A delightful place that I would be happy to recommend and go back to.
28/09/2023
Wow, accommodation was in a superb and peaceful location and in itself was of a high standard. The owners were on hand if needed but not intrusive. Did not want to leave and will definitely be back.
14/09/2023
The house was very peaceful and situated in a country estate with several walks directly from the door. The owners were attentive in ensuring our stay was enjoyable but were not at all intrusive. There were several interesting towns and villages to explore nearby. The house was very comfortable and fitted out to a high spec. We plan to book again next year.
01/09/2023
Lovely location and excellent standard accommodation plus attentive, helpful hosts. Surpassed our expectations.
28/07/2023
A lovely relaxing location.
29/06/2023
Beautiful quiet location and Lodge was perfect. Clean and well equipped with lovely views across Tweed.
18/05/2023
Just perfect, really high end quality furnishings and appliances. Very Clean and has everything you need for some time away, amazing setting and the views. We shall be staying here again in the near future.
23/02/2023
Fabulous cottage. The owners have thought of everything you would need, definitely the best equipped holiday property we have ever stayed in! Glorious surroundings with plenty of good walks, a tearoom and antique shop as neighbours.
05/02/2023
This was such an incredible find for a few days between Christmas and New Year. The cottage is immaculate. It has been newly built and everything we could need was there from kitchen utensils to freshly baked bread, brownies and excellent coffee. The location is excellent as the cottage is situated on the Melrose Estate which has a tea room, walking paths and vast areas to look over with uninterrupted viewed from the balcony. There is another cottage there too, but even on the wrap around balcony you feel completely secluded; it feels very private. It’s a 5 minute drive to Melrose which is a quaint little village that has numerous shops and places to eat including the Michelin recognised Provender. We will definitely be back to visit. Thank you.
09/01/2023
Lovely location, accomodation excellent, plenty to do in the surrounding area, would definitely come back.
30/05/2024
I would give it 6 stars if I could!
20/05/2024
Wonderful in a beautiful place.
01/02/2024
Everything was a fantastic experience.
16/12/2023
Such a special and unique place!
03/12/2023
It was a relaxing experience in an idyllic place. Complete peace and quiet in a rural setting with very welcoming hosts.
21/11/2023
The cottage is like one big hug in autumn and winter. The autumn leaves and view was beautiful. We have been twice and will go again. You are made to feel welcome.
09/11/2023
Well presented great location.
06/11/2023
No complaints at all. Romantic secluded spot and interesting wildlife all around.
28/09/2023
We decided to take a break at short notice, the cottage and location were perfect for us and our two dogs.
14/09/2023
Our second visit to this amazing little gem of a cottage. It has so much character, was spotless and the surrounding area is stunning. Our favourite part is the outside decking. It is so perfect for a getaway to recharge your batteries.
24/08/2023
Very clean, excellent location overlooking river. Very peaceful, lovely welcome pack and a very comfy bed.
06/07/2023
Fantastic holiday in beautiful surroundings.
04/05/2023
Had a wonderful relaxing holiday at the The Folly, what a great location very quiet and serene. Very well equipped and a lovely welcome pack to make you feel really welcome.
27/04/2023
Outstanding, everything that you need, beautiful area and the hospitality of the owners beyond the expectation!
09/03/2023
Great value for money and top place to stay and relax.
02/03/2023
A lovely little property steeped in history. The cottage is in a peaceful idyllic setting which made our stay a truly memorable one. Thank you so much for the welcome pack too.
05/01/2023
Beautiful accommodation in a lovely setting.
29/12/2022
Beautiful surroundings. Weather was kind to us. Been here before and have booked for next year, very peaceful and hosts are more than helpful. Love it.
04/12/2022
First class cottage in lovely quiet setting.
24/11/2022
Loved this quirky little premises. Ideal for a couple. Internal layout made it cosy and relaxing with views out of the many windows. Circular staircase you wouldn’t run up and down, and would say anyone who struggled with stairs or mobility issues would have to take care. We didn’t want to leave as rarely you find a cottage that ticks all boxes and this one definitely does. On the Estate there are so many paths to take that lovely strolls out through trees or along river. Not too far to travel to all the attractions and villages which made it even better.
27/10/2022
Super accomodation, great location,great walks from the door, great scenery, great hosts with a super basket of goodies on arrival, warm and very cosy inside with everything you need.
07/10/2022
A lovely historic building with a lot of character, converted in to a clean and comfortable holiday home. Perched on a high point overlooking the Tweed, it has great views and is very peaceful. Only an occasional fisherman drives past on the gravel track (which is in good condition and suitable for an ordinary car) down to the river. Otherwise you have the place to yourself.
25/08/2022
Absolutely adored the Folly. Loved the rustic charm and the surrounding area. William and Frankie were fantastic hosts, made sure we were happy and settled without being intrusive. Loved the welcome pack.
11/08/2022
Amazing place, peaceful and with everthying we needed for a great break.
14/07/2022
Absolutely first class would reccomend.
30/06/2022
Beautiful location and well appointed cottage.
16/04/2022
Wonderfully beautiful & quirky cottage, lovely comfortable bed and bedding. Fabulous doggy friendly estate.
07/04/2022
The Folly was so unique. It was cosy, well equipped and beautifully appointed. There was an endless supply of logs for the burner, wonderful outside areas for sitting & dining and beautiful vistas.
We will certainly be returning guests!
25/03/2022
Beautiful place to stay. So relaxing.
11/03/2022
Fantastic cottage well equipped and thought out William and Frankie are great with a very warm welcome and nothing was too much trouble if you needed anything.
06/01/2022
A stunning wee holiday cottage perfect for two. We wanted somewhere quiet to relax, walk, read books and explore and this location was perfect for this. Loved being close to the River Tweed and it felt like we were in a treetop house as the views from every window showed the autumn colours of the surrounding trees. Melrose had lots to explore with great walks and lovely food shops in the High Street. The highlight of the holiday was the Borders Book Festival which we didn’t know was on. We’d love to come back.
22/11/2021
The Folly is simply marvellous! Amazing place and setting. So peaceful with lots of great walks on your doorstep. The cottage itself was well equipped, cosy, fabulous shower and had a sumptuous bed with crisp clean and comfy sheets. The hosts are great and looked after us very well. Lots of lovely local villages to explore steeped in history.
04/09/2021
Lovely stay at the Folly. Would highly recommend. Owners were around if needed. Friendly and supportive but not obtrusive. Lot’s to do in the area or if you just want to chill and enjoy the tranquility, perfect spot. Folly is compact but has everything you need. Melrose 6 mile round trip and well worth visiting. Nice restaurants and bars and shops that were not mainstream. Floors castle short drive. Lovely walk to Earlston. Bike hire in Melrose. Swimming in the Tweed. How can you not love this place.
02/08/2021
Unique 5 star holiday cottage and location.
03/07/2021
Blissful, idyllic, picturesque, peaceful in gorgeous surroundings.
28/06/2021
The cottage is perfectly designed for a comfortable stay in a beautiful location! We had everything that we needed for a week.
21/06/2021
Had everything you needed.
29/05/2021
This was a perfect little cottage for us. Very quiet, great walks and private. The cottage a converted folly is so unusual and has been done very well. The decking area is first class.
15/05/2021
This was an amazing location and the property delightful. The owners could not have been more helpful and the welcoming hamper was a real treat. We had an amazing week.
13/05/2021
Fabulous location overlooking the river and acres of woodland and walks to explore. Decking area was great for coffee in the morning and drinks in the evening.
13/10/2020
The Folly was beautiful & in a fantastic location. The accommodation was immaculate & very clean. There was a lovely welcome basket full of useful goodies. Our host was both helpful and friendly, and he went out of his way to see that we had an amazing week. We thoroughly recommend this holiday cottage.
08/09/2020
Exceptional property. Beautiful folly really well done up. Lovely location & nice generous owners. Highly recommended.
13/03/2020
Wonderfull location and a unique property indeed. Well fitted out, warm and comfortable with or without the fire. Loved the walks and wildlife, plenty to see and enjoy in the surrounding area.
17/02/2020
Idillic location in a forest.
11/12/2019
Wow what an amazing, spectacular location, if you want secluded, beautiful and quiet surroundings, this is where you want to be. The Folly had everything you need to make your stay stress free, the owners have gone above and beyond to provide for their clients, from towels or tea towels to washing up liquid or foil, it’s all there. The property is beautifully renovated, with views all across the back of the property over the river. The walks on the grounds are great, rough terrain in some cases but the dogs loved it. The owners were so welcoming and delightful, I highly recommend this property and have no doubt their other two properties are as wonderfully maintained. A final note, the gift basket on arrival was such a beautiful thought.
26/09/2019
The cottage was comfortable and had everything you could need. Owners very helpful and welcoming.
09/06/2024
Our second stay at East Tweed and again we were not disappointed! The cabin is spotlessly clean, beautifully finished and has everything you need and more! The hosts William and Frankie are most welcoming and are genuinely lovely people! They both called by at different times to say hello and to make sure everything was going well! They also provided a beautiful welcome basket with fresh baked bread, fresh eggs and lots of other lovely treats! Our stay in this beautiful, tranquil cabin (truly depicted in the pictures on the website) was the perfect place for us to relax and recharge our batteries and we will definitely be back!
28/05/2024
Our second stay at East Tweed. Cabin and location as good as ever. Strolling down to the river and seeing what wildlife is about never gets old. Impressive to see how much effort the owners put into continually improving the estate balancing the needs of nature and visitors.
08/05/2024
Lodge had every amenity, thus was extremely comfortable and managed by most courteous, and helpful owners Frankie and William.
29/03/2024
Excellent accommodation, finished to a very high spec. Warm comfortable and everything you need. Beautiful views! Well situated on the Estate… comfy bed!
06/10/2023
Excellent accommodation with beautiful views. Lodge provided an extremely well equipped and appointed base for a restful break. Our hosts were really kind and helpful.
19/09/2023
We have travelled to Scotland many times, but this time at East Tweed was one of our best holidays ever, it’s perfect!!
07/07/2023
Paradise God’s own country. Melrose Town also a treat lovely shops and people.
13/04/2023
We found the cottage just as described on the website. The level of cleanliness, furnishings and equipment was excellent. It was warm comfortable and inviting and we loved every minute we were there. It was ideally placed for exploring the Scottish Borders, Kielder Forest and the coast is only an hour away. It is an ideal bolthole for two people. We will certainly be returning.
06/04/2023
Accommodation was beautifully and peacefully situated, stylishly and comfortably furnished and very well equipped. Delicious welcome basket. Cottage was very cosy and had everything we needed and more, including plentiful supply of logs. Good walking on the estate direct from the cottage. Superb all round!
01/01/2023