The following information has been added
by the owner of this property:
The village of Newstead in the Scottish Borders lies less than 1 mile from Melrose, nestling under the beautiful Eildon Hills.
By car, one hours drive from Edinburgh and approximately one and a half hours drive from Newcastle or Glasgow. Hadrians Wall and the Berwickshire coast are within approximately one and a half hours of pleasant driving.
Melrose itself is a small attractive Scottish Borders town in the heart of the Scott Country. David 1st founded Melrose Abbey (a 20 minute walk from Swallow Cottage), in 1136. Priorwood Gardens next to the Abbey contains a special dry flower garden and there is an excellent museum in the Commendators House.
The award winning Trimontium Exhibition 'Daily Life on the Roman Frontier' gives an insight into the Romans life in Scotland.
Birthplace in 1883 of seven-a-side rugby, Melrose is a popular centre and excellent touring base.
Within a short travelling distance of Newstead, the following are some suggestions of places to visit:
Statue of William Wallace. The first ever statue of Sir William Wallace, erected in 1814 standing 31 ft. high and depicts Scotland's national hero dressed in ancient Scottish armour.
The ancient Abbeys of Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso.
The Castles of Hermitage, Smailholm, Neidpath.
The Historic Houses of Traquair, Manderston, Abbotsford, Bowhill, Queen Mary's House, Mellerstain, Thirlestane Castle, Ayton Castle, Floors Castle.
The coastal towns and fishing villages between Edinburgh and Berwick, like North Berwick, Dunbar, St Abbs, Coldingham and Eyemouth.
Edinburgh is within an hours drive with its Castle, Scott Monument, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, Princes Street, many historic buildings, important museums, botanical gardens, Edinburgh Zoo and The Royal Yacht Britannia which is now berthed in Leith.
Activities in the Scottish Borders
Your stay in Newstead will suit the active as well as the less energetic. There are a range of activities and sports on the doorstep as well as two well-known walking routes.
Walking
The landscape of the Scottish Borders is characterised by green, rolling hills divided by beautiful river valleys - the most famous of which is the Tweed.
Border Forests Walks
The landscape of the Borders is characterised by extensive forests.
The Coastal Walk
A superb coastline of approximately 32 miles with many small coves and natural harbours. The birdlife is magnificent, and St Abb's Head, managed jointly by the National Trust for Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is a National Nature Reserve.
Town and Village Walks
There is no better way to find out about a place than by walking round it. There are local walks leaflets for many towns and villages.
Ranger Led Walks
The Scottish Borders Council's Ranger Service operates a Guided Walks programme all year round, including winter walks.
Long Distance Walks
St Cuthbert's Way leads from Melrose, where St Cuthbert is said to have started his ministry, to Holy Island (Lindisfarne), where he ended his days.
The Southern Upland Way
For the experienced backpacker the Southern Upland Way, offers a challenging coast-to-coast crossing of Southern Scotland from Portpatrick on the west coast to Cockburnspath in Berwickshire passing through Melrose. It is possible to walk sections of the route in a day.
Border Abbeys Way
This circular route covering many of the main Borders Towns, as well as linking the four great abbeys on foot, is steadily being developed, and is being opened in sections as work progresses.
Cycling
The Scottish Borders is ideal cycling country for all ages and abilities - with a vast network of quiet country roads, exhilarating forest trails, and family routes along river valleys.
Fishing
Salmon
Often called the Queen of salmon rivers, the River Tweed runs through the heart of the Borders. The long season runs from 1st February to 30th November and during it more salmon are caught on the fly than any other British river.
Trout
The Tweed with its tributaries the Teviot, Ettrick, Leader, Whiteadder and many other small burns (streams), provides first-class fishing for brown trout.
Rainbow and brown trout fishing is also available in local lochs providing some excellent fishing.
Course Fishing
Although salmon and trout fishing predominates in the Tweed catchment, there are also many other fish to attract fishermen, such as perch, grayling, pike and roach.
Golf
Golfers coming to the Borders can enjoy some of Scotland's most breath-taking courses- and make great savings on green fees- with a freedom of the fairways' golfing passport available when staying at Swallow Cottage.
Riding
This is 'Scotland's Horse Country', where our local riding centres and schools cater for everyone from novices and small children to the more advanced.
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This charming cottage is an absolutely wonderful find!
Built on the original site of an old farm yard, it now boasts every modern comfort at the flick of a switch.
Set in the historic picturesque village of Newstead, Swallow Cottage combines modern day living with traditional cottage style warmth and comfort. This three bed roomed cottage is amazingly spacious, can sleep up to 5 persons + cot. With 2 bathrooms plus WC, it really is wonderful for couples and families alike. The kitchen is a magnet for enjoying relaxed informal meals with its country style table and French doors opening onto the patio for alfresco entertaining. Even although Newstead is part of Melrose, with only a field separating them, it retains its own identity and charm with the Eildon Hills viewed from the cottage front door and a walk to the River Tweed basically on your doorstep-------- this is the ideal escape haven! 2, 3 or 4 nights short breaks available--------but you’ll probably want to stay longer.
With Melrose offering many specialised shops, excellent eateries and arguably the most attractive of the border towns only a mile away, it is no wonder Swallow Cottage makes for a perfect holiday experience.
Bedroom 1 :- with 1 Double Bed + ensuite
Bedroom 2 :- with 2 Twin Beds
Bedroom 3 :- with 1 Single Bed
Bathrooms:
En-suite bathroom to bedroom 1 with bath
wc bathroom with bath
wc
Kitchen:
Spacious kitchen/diner with large pine table and dresser.
Electric Oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher.
Living Rooms:
Lounge with TV, radio and dvd player
Cleaning/towels/linen/maid Service:
Ample linen and towels provided.
Property is cleaned before arrival.
Sleeping capacity:
Sleeps 5 + cot
Ammenities/Facilities provided
high chair
cot
iron/ironing board
tumble dryer
washing machine
microwave
games/books
dishwasher
fridge/freezer
cd player
television
freeview
central heating
radio
dvd player
oven
hob/stove
Etc.
Travel
Airports---Edinburgh 40 miles, Newcastle 60 miles and Glasgow70 miles, all within 1½ hours of Melrose.
Further details
Many small specialised shops in Melrose, also small supermarkets.
If you must, there are 24 hour supermarkets, Tesco and Asda in Galashiels only 4 miles away.
Melrose is spoilt for good eating places and Swallow Cottage can offer you 10% discount off food and drink at two of the best, Burts Hotel and The Townhouse.
Booking notes
A deposit of 25% is payable on booking, with the balance due 4 weeks before arrival.
House swap
House Swap considered, but would probably be between October and March.
Changeover day
Saturday is normal day for changeover, but are flexible.
Earliest time of arrival is 4pm unless an agreed time is made beforehand.
Time of departure is 10am.
Golf
Melrose Golf Club, 1 ½ miles from Swallow Cottage-------9 Hole
Fishing
Salmon
Often called the Queen of salmon rivers, the River Tweed runs through the heart of the Borders. The long season runs from 1st February to 30th November and during it more salmon are caught on the fly than any other British river.
Trout
The Tweed with its tributaries the Teviot, Ettrick, Leader, Whiteadder and many other small burns (streams), provides first-class fishing for brown trout.
Rainbow and brown trout fishing is also available in local lochs providing some excellent fishing.
Course Fishing
Although salmon and trout fishing predominates in the Tweed catchment, there are also many other fish to attract fishermen, such as perch, grayling, pike and roach.
