Grooms Cottage, Kailzie

Hidden away within the lush hills and woodlands of Upper Tweeddale, this enchanting cottage is the ideal retreat for a couple or solo traveller. Set within a courtyard on the Kailzie Estate, guests can enjoy private after-hours access to its stunning gardens – including its glorious walled garden, glasshouses, wild gardens, centuries-old woodland and burnside trails which evolve throughout the year. Here you can relax and reattune to the natural world – whether you’re surrounded by carpets of snowdrops, blooming rhododendrons, summer borders, fragrant roses or autumn leaves.

On entering through the main door, you’ll be met with the open plan living area. To the left, cosy green furnishings gather around a log burner and painted leaves flutter down from the ceiling, connecting the interior to the verdant gardens which lie outside the window. The furniture includes bespoke and repurposed pieces from Scottish artisans, including colourful handmade lampshades and reupholstered furniture full of character. This is a blissful place to start the day on a summer’s morning as well as a warm and inviting spot to cosy up on a winter evening.

To the right of the room lies the kitchen, with buttercup-yellow cabinets, herringbone tiles, and a convivial dining space with seating for four. The electric oven and induction hob make cooking a breeze, while the Kailzie Gardens Café is also on hand should you fancy a treat – lying across the courtyard to the rear of the cottage. Serving speciality coffee, lunches, and Sunday roasts, it sources as many ingredients as possible from the gardens themselves and its tables are surrounded by blooming flowers in the summer months.

The bedroom can be found on the second floor of the cottage, with a king size bed set beneath a combed ceiling with original wooden beams. Cosy furnishings and baby-blue wall panelling create a calming atmosphere and a stylish ensuite bathroom lies next door. With olive-green panelled walls, patterned tiles, and a clawfoot freestanding bath, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Another handy bathroom can also be found on the ground floor, with sleek white tiles and a rainforest shower.

Outside, the cottage enjoys a private seating area with a bistro table and chairs. The estate and gardens are right on your doorstep, including a pétanque rink, putting green, Tweed fishing beat, and lochan so you’ll have no shortage of activities to keep you busy. You’re also spoilt for choice for beautiful scenery further afield with Glentress Forest, the gardens at Dawyck and the ancient woodlands in the Tweed Valley all within easy reach.