Lilylaw
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Overview
An enchanting hideaway for two set in a gloriously secluded position in the Minto Estate.
An intimate cottage in a tranquil setting that comes complete with the guest key to the historic Fatlips Castle
The former gamekeeper’s residence for the Minto Estate, Lilylaw is a delightful period lodge set on a private track amidst the lush grounds of the estate. Nestled into the folds of the land, between a small wood and open parkland, Lilylaw sits within its own enclosed garden with a sheltered, partially walled terrace to the rear for outside dining. The only things likely to interrupt the solitude of your romantic bolthole for two are the occasional noise from the resident sheep and birds.
Stay at Lilylaw and you’ll not only enjoy direct access to estate’s rolling parkland and fabulous walks but can even request a key to the recently restored Fatlips Castle, an iconic Pele tower situated on the estate at the top of Minto Crags with panoramic views reaching all the way to England.
Viewed from the surrounding grounds, Lilylaw is a simple, single-storey stone cottage with large, 18-pane sash windows to the front. As soon as you set foot inside this dainty property, you realise you’re in for a real treat. Decorated in the quirky English style of some of our favourite country house hotels, the cottage is virtually entirely open plan, with a slightly removed kitchen and a low privacy wall separating the bedroom from the living area (and a separate loo). Styled with sumptuous antique and upcycled designer furnishings, striking ikat Lewis & Wood curtains, Pooky lights and a mix of antique and contemporary artworks, the cottage feels both sophisticated and intimate.
You can enjoy candlelit dinners for two by the wood burner, soak in the clawfoot bath while watching sheep gambol in the fields and rustle up a picnic in the kitchen to feast on while you visit Fatlips Castle. When you’re not simply luxuriating in each other’s company and the tranquillity of the surroundings, you can enjoy a round of golf at the local Minto Golf Club or pop into nearby Denholm for a pub lunch or afternoon tea at the Denholm meet café/bistro, which features an enticing antiques and interiors shop upstairs.
Property details
Ground floor
The accommodation is all on the ground floor and may be suitable for less mobile guests.
Fully open-plan living area comprising:
Compact kitchen with Belfast sink, four-ring electric hob, electric oven and small fridge / freezer, microwave. Please note that due to the compact kitchen, there is no dishwasher or washing machine available.
Leads into small rear boot room / entrance hall with door to the terrace and garden.
Seating area comprising wood burning stove (logs provided), dining table seating two guests, two-seater sofa, armchair, TV with DVD player and Amazon Firestick (guests must use their own subscriptions), selection of DVDs, books and games.
Half-height wall separating the bedroom area with 5’ king size bed.
Feature claw-foot bath and fabulous views across parkland.
Bathroom with walk-in shower with rainforest head and separate mixer, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
Lilylaw sits in a very attractive, private garden with a sheltered terrace to the rear with an outside dining space and firepit. There is a large lawned garden to the side of the cottage.
The garden is enclosed, however we can offer no guarantee that it is dog-proof. It should be noted that the area around Lilylaw is farmland therefore dogs should always be carefully supervised.
The garden leads directly into estate parkland and extensive walks. Guests can request a key for nearby Fatlips Castle from the owners on arrival.
Parking
There is parking adjacent to the cottage.
Access is via an estate track with a hardcore surface which is suitable for all but very low-slung cars. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
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.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to stay at a cottage fitted with an on-site charging point browse our collection of electric car escapes using the EV Charging Point filter.
Babies & Children
Regretfully, the cottage is not suitable for children. Babes in arms are welcome but please note that a travel cot and highchair are not provided.
Dogs
One well behaved dog is welcome and a second dog may be considered on request at a charge of £15. Dogs must be kept off the furniture. A dog towel is provided.
The Minto Estate is a working farm and shooting estate, with livestock and gamebirds, and dogs must be kept under control at all times. The garden is enclosed by metal and wire fencing but we cannot guarantee this is dog-proof.
Guest Amenities
The bed features high-quality linen. Towels are provided along with a hairdryer and guest hand soap.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
There is a SIM card-operated 4G router with unlimited data provided. 4G signal and mobile reception are generally good and the 4G signal is reliable enough to support the Amazon Firestick provided for various streaming services (guests must use their own subscriptions to access this).
Heating
There is electric underfloor throughout the property, a heated towel rail in the bathroom and a wood burner in the sitting room (logs provided).
Guest Privacy
Lilylaw sits in a very private and peaceful position on a private estate amidst parkland. The Minto Estate is a shooting estate and we can provide details of shoot dates prior to booking, if required.
Location
The cottage sits nearby the village of Minto (1 mile), where there you’ll find the wonderful Minto Golf Club, and a little further is the picturesque village of Denholm (2 miles). There is an excellent butcher, post office, two pubs serving good food, two cafés and the charming ‘Denholm Meet’, with a café/bistro on the ground floor and antiques and interiors shop upstairs.
Alternatively, head to Ancrum (4 miles) for superb gastro pub dining at The Ancrum Cross Keys, along with a fine craft ale from a multi-award-winning microbrewery, Born in Scotland.
You will find a more extensive range of amenities in Hawick (7 miles), including a deli, butcher, and many supermarkets for stocking up on those everyday essentials.
Activities
The location of Lilylaw means that it is perfectly placed for walking, cycling and exploring the great outdoors. Right on the doorstep is the historic Fatlips Castle, a Pele tower situated at the top of the Minto Crags, extensively restored by the Minto family. Guests can request a key to the castle from the owner and set off on an adventure of their own.
There are fifteen designated walks in the area; from short 1-mile stretches to more demanding 8-mile hill hikes, taking in beautiful countryside and rolling border hills. Passing through the village of Minto is the Minto Hills walk, a 5-mile circular route with the option of ascending to their summits, which finishes at Denholm Village Green - a perfect spot to enjoy tea and cake after the day’s exertions! Or if you’re feeling slightly more energetic, The Borders Abbeys Way is a long-distance circular walk (68 miles in total!), which links the four spectacular remnants of four 12th century abbeys of Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose. You can join the route in Denholm and head in the direction of Jedburgh or Hawick, depending on how far you’re looking to go! The route from Denholm to Hawick is a pretty stretch, which follows the course of the River Teviot and ends at the historically significant Horse Memorial in Hawick, which celebrates the ‘callants’ victory in the 1514 Battle of Hornshole.
Similarly, there is some fantastic cycling and mountain biking to be had here from leisure routes to more challenging hill terrain, including the NCN Route 1, Four Abbeys Cycleway, Tweed Cycleway, and Borderloop tour. Local trails include the Denholm Circular (14 miles), Cavers & Stobs (19 miles), and Vertish Hill Loop (7 miles). The 7Stanes centre at Newcastleton is 27 miles away for any dedicated mountain bikers, and the Kielder Forest Park is 26 miles.
The nearby town of Hawick (7 miles) is home to the finest quality Scottish cashmere and knitwear, where guests can follow the Textile Trail, which includes visitor centres and museums as well as factory and retail outlets, with everything from finest quality cashmere, unique sample pieces or perhaps just some rather natty woolly socks! Visit the Lovat Mill Hawick, a world-class weaver on the banks of the River Teviot, then stop off at The Borders Distillery for a tour (Mon-Fri, 3 tours per day). Find out more via Famously Hawick.
For a little bit of history or maybe even tracing your Scottish ancestry, head to the Heart of Hawick, for superb new art and heritage project, which includes the Textile Towerhouse Museum, as well as the Scottish Archive whose registrar and genealogy services can help you on the path of re-connecting with your Scottish roots.
Next, explore the pretty Border towns of Melrose, Kelso and Jedburgh where you’ll find an excellent range of independent shopping, the magnificent ruins of Border Abbeys, the elegance of Floors Castle, and the grand stately homes and gardens of Abbotsford, Mellerstain, Manderston and Bowhill. The outstanding cultural city of Edinburgh is an easy day trip - just over an hour by car from the property.
Not to be missed are some of the events and festivals running during the course of the year - our historic Common Ridings and Cavalcades, Border Rugby Sevens, National Hunt Racing at Kelso, the epic Borders Book Festival as well as Food Festivals, Music Festivals and Walking Festivals.
For golf, the 18-hole Minto Golf Club course lies approximately 1 mile from the property, a gem of a parkland course with wide challenging holes and the very aptly named ‘Everest’ at the 12th. Across the wider area, you have a vast choice from stunning parkland tracts to PGA courses, including the Roxburghe Championship course at Kelso. There is clay shooting at Braidwood and fishing and shooting days can all be arranged nearby.
For riding, the area has a rich historical connection dating back to the Border Reivers in the 13th and 14th century and the Ian Stark Equestrian Centre and Broomhill Riding Centre both have an illustrious reputation for training those new to the sport through to advanced riders looking to refine their technique and skill set.
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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Horse riding
Horse riding is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of the area and goes right back to the 13th and 14th centuries where townspeople would ride the clan’s boundaries to protect their common lands. Thankfully our riding pursuits today are not quite so dramatic!
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Shopping, arts and crafts
We are extremely fortunate to have a region where independent shops are king, and to have an area flowing with creativity through its talents in arts, crafts and textiles.
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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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Spas and beauty treatments
Everyone needs a little time-out to relax and for many that may involve a little pampering, the chance to experience new therapies, or simply some dedicated ‘me time’ to enjoy or practise disciplines which bring a sense of well-being and good health.
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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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Nannies and babysitters
Relax, explore the local area, enjoy a long lunch or a romantic evening out by hiring a fully qualified registered and experienced nanny or babysitter to come to your house.
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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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“Fabulous cottage, very peaceful and comfortable. For our dog Louis, the garden and walks around the cottage were perfect. We enjoyed it all and visited various places in this part of Scotland. This was already a holiday to remember but added to that we watched the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II whilst we were here. We plan to return and thank you for the welcome pack.”
Mr & Mrs Hughes"What a fantastic find Lilylaw was. Such a beautiful and peacefull setting. Exceptional weather too which was a bonus! The cottage is beautifully presented and the dogs loved the garden. The welcome pack was much appreciated. Thank you so much, we hope to come back again."
Mr & Ms Kerr“We have loved being here! Perfect location and such an easy place to live in – loved seeing the hares chasing across the field, and so many friendly sheep. In many ways this feels a perfect place to be. We visited Hawick and its distillery, Selkirk and the Haining Estate, and we did a long walk across the fields, having gone completely the wrong way looking for Fatlips Castle! Found the castle – amazing! – and had a lovely lunch in Denholm.”
Dr hingley“We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. So tranquil and a beautiful setting. Thank you for the welcome pack too. Look forward to returning!”
Mr & Mrs Mulholland“We would just like to start by saying thank you for having us to stay, it’s been such a lovely experience and we have made many memories that I am sure will last a lifetime. Thank you for the keys to Fatlips castle, this is something that made our trip even more special. Thank you to the owners for being amazing hosts, adding little things we weren’t expecting, hopefully be back in years to come.”
Ms Turner"We had a fabulous week at your wonderful cottage. The cottage facilities are so well thought through. Such an amazing place to just relax and enjoy the surroundings. The location is perfect for walking, cycling, golf and visiting the area. Thank you for making our stay so enjoyable."
Mr & Mrs Irvine"What a wonderfully peaceful location to spend time together. We have thoroughly enjoyed our all too brief stay and hope one day to return. Fatlips is the cherry on the cake. Such a treat to be able to climb the tower and savour the views."
Mr & Mrs Lawrence"Honoured to have been the very 1st guests to stay in lovely Lilylaw. The cottage is perfect, loved sunny breakfasts on the patio, being able to soak our aching muscles after a long days walking and then absolute peace and quiet. Also loved our trip up to Fatlips".
Mr & Mrs BrownAvailability
- One dog is welcome. A second dog may be considered on request with a charge of £15.
- Typical arrival day: Friday with other arrival days available on request out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"A farm track through a wood takes you to Lilylaw where the immediate sense of peace and tranquility is second only to the stunning views that open up before you."Diana, owner of Lilylaw
