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Overview
A cosy cottage with an idyllic setting amidst the parkland and gardens of Dunglass Estate.
Your go-to pad for discovering the beaches, golf courses and gardens of East Lothian
Set within the celebrated 5,000-acre Dunglass Estate, Birch is one of a trio of cottages that make up the stylishly restored former stables. Fronted by a striking arched entrance, the Courtyard Cottages form the remaining three sides of a square around the tranquil courtyard that has housed the Usher family’s horses, carriages and motorcars over the generations.
Since catching the eye of Robert Burns in 1787, when he described Dunglass as “the most romantic sweet place I ever saw”, the estate’s beautiful parkland, woodland and landscaped gardens have been nurtured while part of its acreage has been transformed into a sustainable farm. Ideally located for strolls down to the beach, rounds on East Lothian’s famous golf courses, day trips to nearby historic towns and even visits to Edinburgh (the city is under an hour’s drive away), the Dunglass Estate has it all.
The front door of Birch cottage, the only two-storey property in the courtyard, leads into a cosy country kitchen complete with Rangemaster oven, rustic wooden dining table and chairs and sweeping views over the Dunglass parklands. Also on the ground floor, there’s an inviting sitting room, framed by a pretty arched window and offering the choice of a large Chesterfield sofa and double sofa, as well as an attractive family bathroom with a claw-foot bath and separate shower. Moving upstairs, two double bedrooms and a twin bedroom share access to a snug with additional sofa for two.
For larger parties able to holiday together, Birch cottage can be let with two other three-bedroom cottages in the courtyard, Willow and Laurel, while Seaview House (four bedrooms) and the captivating Treehouse (one bedroom) sit just a few hundred yards away.
Property details
Ground floor
Shared courtyard with access door leading directly into:
Kitchen with dining table and seating for six. Rangemaster oven and five-burner hob, large fridge / freezer, dishwasher, microwave and Nespresso machine with an initial supply of pods. A cupboard off the hallway has a washing machine and a separate dryer.
Sitting room with large sofa and double sofa, wood burner (with initial supply of logs provided), Smart TV.
Bathroom with roll-top bath, walk-in corner shower with rainforest head and separate hand mixer, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
First floor
Bedroom one with fixed 4'6" double bed, side tables, dressing table, wardrobe with hanging space.
Five steps up to inner hall leading to:
Bedroom two with 4'6" double bed, side tables, dressing table, wardrobe with hanging space.
Snug area with a two-seater sofa and coffee table.
Five steps down to:
Bedroom three with zip and link beds, which can be set up as a 5' king size double or 2'6" twin beds, as preferred. Side tables, dressing table, wardrobe with hanging space.
Outside
There is a shared communal courtyard area to the front of the property and an additional communal garden to the west side of the courtyard shared between guests of Birch Cottage and Willow Cottage. This is a lawned area with a sun house and charcoal barbecue (initial supply of charcoal provided).
The wider estate extends to 5000 acres and guests are welcome to walk and enjoy the wider area.
Parking
There is parking available to the right-hand side of the courtyard, where the rear of the Dunglass Collegiate Church can be seen. While parking within the courtyard is prohibited, guests are welcome to offload belongings and then move cars to the parking area.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Babies & children
A travel cot and highchair are available on request.
Dogs
Regrettably, dogs are not permitted in any of the Dunglass Courtyard cottages. Nearby, Seaview House and The Treehouse within the Dunglass Estate are both dog-friendly.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Wi-Fi is provided on the Dunglass Estate network. Please note that this is not a direct supply for guests of Birch Cottage and bad weather may impact the connection. If this occurs, please be aware that this may not be an immediate fix. Mobile and 4G signals are generally good.
Guest amenities
Guest hand soap, shampoo and body wash are provided along with bed linen and towels. A hairdryer is available.
Heating
Oil fired central heating throughout the property and there is a wood-burning stove in the sitting room with an initial supply of logs, firelighters and kindling provided.
Guest privacy
It is important to note that while the property sits in a private rural estate, there are two further properties available as holiday lets set within the courtyard, in addition to the Estate Office.
Additional Accommodation
There are two further cottages in the immediate courtyard area - Laurel Cottage (sleeps 6) and Willow Cottage (sleeps 6), while Seaview House (sleeps 8) and The Treehouse (sleeps 2) both sit in nearby proximity.
SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING
Scottish short-term lets licence number: Pending
The current EPC rating for this property is band F, a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Location
Belhaven Smokehouse in Dunbar (9 miles) offer a super range of smoked fish, meat, cheese and local produce, and there are a number of quality butchers in the area selling locally sourced meat as well as game. Andersons Butchers in North Berwick (19 miles) come highly recommended, selling pork from the locally reared Mangalica or ‘hairy pigs ‘(a Hungarian cross between domestic breeds and wild boar). There is also a traditional fishmonger in Dunbar High Street. Larger supermarket shopping can all be found in Dunbar, Haddington and North Berwick.
For eating out, there are a wide range of dining options in the area but try The Creel in Dunbar for warm, informal dining and locally sourced food and seafood, or the Rocks Hotel for their excellent seasonal menu.
Further afield, the Waterside Bistro in Haddington is a super choice for lunch or evening dining, along with plenty of lovely coffee stops along the way.
Activities
The very picturesque harbour at Cove sits around a mile and a half away with with access to the main quay via a track along the cliff-side, and a secluded sandy cove on the other side of the harbour via an old salted storage tunnel cut through the hillside.
More recently, Cove Harbour has featured in a number of films, including “Mrs. Brown”, the film about Queen Victoria’s prolonged stay in Scotland. It also featured in the art of ‘The Glasgow Boys” as several of this informal alliance of Victorian artists visited the Cockburnspath area to paint the local scenery in the early 1880's.
The John Muir Country Park covers some of the most spectacular East Lothian coastline, featuring expansive sandy beaches which are a haven for wildlife and birdlife. The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick offers the opportunity to view the rich marine-life and birdlife of the area using powerful webcams and telescopes, including some curious seals and dolphins if you are particularly lucky!
Here you can also take boat trips to some fantastic locations. Enjoy a seabird catamaran cruise, a three island seabird safari or for nature lovers and photographers, an unforgettable experience on the Bass Rock or Isle of May.
Other favourite spots include the vast glorious beach at Gullane; the dune-fringed sands at Belhaven; or the secluded sands at Seacliff - an enchanting gem with a tiny harbour and wonderful views north towards Tantallon Castle.
For cycling you can join Sustrans 76 which runs all the way down the coast to Berwick upon Tweed or you can enjoy some leisurely cycling circuits along traffic free paths and minor roads, taking time to explore the quaint coastal villages of the area.
Bikes can be hired from Belhaven Bikes in Dunbar, while fatbiketours.co.uk in North Berwick run lessons and guided treks on specially designed ˜fatbikes” which are a fantastic way to explore the remote sandy bays and ancient clifftop castles of the area on two wheels.
Take the John Muir Way for walking, a scenic route passing through North Berwick and following the line of the East Lothian coast, or walk sections of the Southern Upland Way which ends right in the village of Cockburnspath.
For watersports, superb kayaking can be found around the waterways off Dunbar, with thrilling wakeboarding and ringo rides at nearby Foxlake. Surf buffs can enjoy some enjoy some wonderful sport right along the coast and there is a surf school in Dunbar offering lessons in paddleboarding, surfing and coasteering. There are also dive charters from the harbours in Dunbar and North Berwick taking in the stunning nature reserve sites around the Forth, Bass Rock and Isle of May.
For golf, the area is world-famous for its stunning links courses with North Berwick, Muirfield, Luffness, Gullane all within easy reach.
Finally take a visit to the magnificent city of Edinburgh (36 miles or half-an-hour by train from Dunbar) where you can explore the fascinating architecture of the old town and soak-up the culture and heritage of this beautiful vibrant city. Wander the cobbled closes and narrow stairwells of the Royal Mile; take a candle-lit tour of the underground vaults of the old city for some fascinating tales of Edinburgh’s darker past; or perhaps partake in a wee dram or a tasting session at the Scotch Whisky Centre where you can learn to nose, swirl and taste like an expert.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the city in July and August, don’t miss the vibrant Fringe Festival, exceptional Jazz and Blues Festival or the Edinburgh Military Tattoo ending with a poignant lone piper lament high on the castle ramparts. Truly spectacular!
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Reviews
"We had a really great stay at Birch Cottage. The property was fantastic. Loads of space, so it worked really well for us as a family. Being on the estate was just incredible. Our boys loved cycling around and we enjoyed some lovely walks to the coast. The Cove was particularly special to see. The secret tunnel was a big hit with the kids! Thank you very much. We would definitely like to return."
Bell FamilyAvailability
- Sorry, dogs are not allowed.
- Typical arrival day: Friday with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"With its tranquil setting amidst the lush Dunglass grounds and proximity to the beach, Birch cottage offers the best of coast and country."Claire, Events Manager Dunglass Estate
