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The Clock Tower, Bowhill

Selkirk, Scottish Borders

Set on the Bowhill Estate, the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, this two bedroom apartment is rich in history, surrounded by the ancient forest of the Ettrick Valley once favoured by Scottish Kings.

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Overview

Set on the Bowhill Estate, the country home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, this two bedroom apartment is rich in history, surrounded by the ancient forest of the Ettrick Valley once favoured by Scottish Kings.

Connect with nature on endless forest trails and the sparkling waters of the nearby loch

Bowhill Estate has a huge amount to offer for those looking for outdoor time or simply some quiet time for rest and relaxation. Equally for art aficionados looking to soak up some rich culture, Bowhill House has an astonishing collection of fine art and antiques, while the formal and informal gardens offer stunning views across the Ettrick Valley.

The Clock Tower forms part of the courtyard properties and sits just a stone’s throw from the Estate tearoom for a morning scone and jam during the Summer opening season.

Taking a central position directly under the original Clocktower, the apartment sits on two levels with a large boot room and utility room on the ground floor, which is ideal for muddy boots, outdoor kit and dogs. 

On the second floor, the living accommodation sits to the right and left of the central stairwell. The sitting room is large and comfortable with generous seating and views over the estate grounds, while the kitchen has plenty of room to dine up to eight guests comfortably.

There are two bedrooms in the apartment - one master bedroom with a super king bed with zip and link option, a large walk-in wardrobe, and a separate sofa bed which makes it ideal for families with children. This extends into a large en suite shower room. The second bedroom is a double with an adjoining family bathroom.

Outdoors, guests can enjoy miles of waymarked trails for walking, cycling and dog walking from the meandering 7 mile Duchess’s Drive taking in the sights and sounds of the area, or for something a little less arduous, the 2 mile Loch’s Walk or the incredibly scenic Tree Trail are ideal for leisurely afternoon wanders.

The Estate benefits from an on-site Ranger who runs occasional walks and family activities, while fishing, horse-riding and Land Rover tours are all part of the nearby facilities here.

Please note that Bowhill House, Playground and Tearoom close for the season between September and May each year, with the exception of the Easter school holidays. The grounds are open during September for season pass holders only. For detailed opening hours and future Bowhill House & Exhibition tour dates, please visit the Bowhill website.

Property details

Ground floor

There are 4 external steps up to the entrance door.

Small hallway.

Large utility room (3 steps down) with sink, washing machine, storage space and hanging rail.

First floor

Please note that while the stairs are not steep, there is no handrail.

Sitting room with views over the grounds and two large sofas, armchair, Smart TV, DVD player (no DVDs supplied), Bluetooth speaker and a selection of books and games.

Kitchen with electric oven, 4 ring hob, 3/4 dishwasher, large fridge/freezer and dining space for 8 guests.

Bedroom one with zip and link beds which can be configured as a super king double or twin, side tables, dressing table, large walk-in wardrobe with hanging space and sofa which can convert to a double sofa bed on request. There is a charge of £50 for use of the sofa bed. 

En-suite bathroom with large shower, WC and basin. 

Bedroom two with 4'6" double bed, side tables, cupboard with hanging space and storage and chest of drawers. A single foldaway bed can be provided in this room on request for a charge of £35.

Family bathroom with bath and handheld mixer, separate walk-in shower, basin and WC. 

Outside

There is an courtyard at the entrance to the property which has outside benches for the tea rooms and visitor centre during seasonal opening times. Further benches can be found in the wider grounds or by the loch. There is no private outdoor space.

Parking

Parking is available in the Bowhill House Visitor Car Park during opening times which is a 2 minute walk from the property. Out of opening times and in the evenings, guests are able to park in the inner courtyard just outside the property.

It is important to note that cars cannot be parked in the courtyard during seasonal opening hours. Bowhill House is open daily from 10am to 5pm from the start of June to the end of August. It is also normally open through the Easter weekend. 

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 can be provided on request.

Dogs

Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £15 per dog. Dogs must be kept to the ground floor utility room until clean and dry and thereafter kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture.

Please note there is no private outside space. Dogs must be closely supervised and kept under control in the wider grounds. 

Guest amenities

Bed linen, towels and hand soap are provided. A hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.

Two complimentary passes can be provided to guests who wish to have a tour of the house. This is only available during the opening season.

Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage

Wi-Fi is available with speeds of approximately 25 Mbps. Mobile coverage is poor on most networks within the property but this improves directly outside in the courtyard and Wi-Fi calling is possible as an alternative.

Heating

The property has oil heating which is thermostatically controlled. 

Guest privacy

The Clock Tower sits within the immediate grounds of Bowhill House which is open to the public, normally from the start of June until the end of August (daily from 10am to 5pm). It is also normally open through the Easter weekend. Guests looking for complete privacy during the day would therefore be advised to book outside the opening periods of the Estate.

Please note that the inner courtyard where The Clock Tower is located is a shared space with four other apartments. There is an outside courtyard with a tea room and outside seating which is open to the public during seasonal opening times (see above). Please refer to the parking arrangements with regard to access.

Please contact us should you require further information.

Fishing

Fishing can be arranged on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed, through the Bowhill House office. The valley offers a picturesque setting and rewarding fishing. The river is split into five beats which vary in topography and scenery and while a full ghillie service is unavailable, the knowledgable staff at Bowhill will be able to advise on which beat is most suitable.

Alternatively, for loch fishing, the Bowhill Lower Loch is stocked with locally sourced trout and there are two boats available for use by anglers. Please contact the Bowhill team for more information on 01750 20753.

Location

For light-bites, the nearby tea room is a perfect spot for a morning coffee and scone (seasonal opening applies - for opening hours, please visit the Bowhill website) or the Waterwheel cafe at nearby Philiphaugh is a super stop-off for refreshments and a chance to see salmon leaping at the viewing centre. Try the Selkirk Deli for lovely coffee and lunches, or The Woll Restaurant in Ashkirk has a good reputation for serving excellent food full of fresh local flavours.

The historic market town of Selkirk is 3 miles away and provides a good range of local amenities, including a deli, bakery, butcher and small supermarket for holiday provisions.

You will also find a number of textile producers in the area including the Lochcarron Visitor Centre for lovers of cashmere and tweed, or head to Lindean Mill Glass which offers a super chance to skilled glass artisans at work. Alternatively, a wonderful selection of independent shops can be found in Melrose (11 miles) or Galashiels (10 miles) for larger supermarkets, including a Marks & Spencers food outlet.

Activities

Bowhill Estate is the perfect spot for walking and cycling and has miles of tracks in a stunning woodland setting. It also provides a chance to explore all that the wider estate has to offer including stunning formal and informal gardens, the outstanding painting collection of Bowhill House, or simply some time outdoors enjoying the forest trails and wonderful wildlife of the area (please note that seasonal opening hours apply - please visit the Bowhill website for more information). A riding centre is also located nearby for forest and moorland treks on well-schooled horses.

For wider walking routes, the beautiful valley of Ettrick and Yarrow affords plenty of choice in all directions, including the easy/moderate ‘Ettrickbridge Circular’ (4 miles) to the more challenging ‘Yarrowford Circular’ (10 miles) taking in the Three Brethren cairns which offer superb panoramic views from the summit. Other nearby trails include ‘The Loch’s Walk’ on Bowhill Estate (2 miles), the moderate ‘Duchess’s Drive’ (7 miles) or the strenuous ‘Ettrickhead Horseshoe’ (10 miles) which is a splendid high-level walking experience.

There is good value fishing on the Yarrow or Ettrick Water available through the Bowhill Estate, once described by Shooting Times & Country Magazine as ‘one of the best-kept secrets in the fishing world’. There are also a number of lochs and reservoirs for stillwater fishing nearby too. For golf enthusiasts, The Woll in Ashkirk is a popular 18 hole course in a superb parkland setting just a ten-minute drive away, while the wider area offers a huge variety of courses to suit all levels.

St. Mary’s Loch is a relaxed spot to while away an afternoon in scenic surroundings, or why not spend time exploring the rich history of the area - from the skirmishes of the Border Reivers, the remnants of fortified towers, or the story of James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd who became one of Scotland’s literary giants.

For cycling and mountain biking, scenic routes are on the doorstep including the 7-mile Bowhill route, and 8.5-mile Ettrickfoot & Yair trail which offer relatively flat rides taking in forest paths and river courses. The Ettrickbridge and Yarrow Cycle Trail sits nearby - a scenic, but hilly, 19.5-mile loop using mostly quiet roads and forest paths but offering spectacular views in reward for one or two leg-burning climbs! 

The magnificent city of Edinburgh is a perfect day trip - you can hop on a train from Tweedbank (10 miles) where you can take advantage of events such as the vibrant Edinburgh Fringe Festival, exceptional Jazz and Blues Festival, or simply a day-out exploring the exquisite architecture of this beautiful city.

 

C&C experiences

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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Historic houses and castles

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

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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Children and families

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

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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Walking

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

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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Cycling & mountain biking

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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Services

Cooks and chefs

Cooks and chefs

Make your stay hassle-free with your own personal cook

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Additional housekeeping

Additional housekeeping

Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.

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Dog sitting

Dog sitting

Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.

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Wine delivery

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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Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers

Fresh cut flowers delivered to your holiday home.

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Holiday photography

Holiday photography

Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.

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Beauty and spa treatments

Beauty and spa treatments

Everyone needs some pampering, whatever the occasion.

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Reviews

"Our week at The Clock Tower Cottage, Bowhill, was superb in every way! We celebrated our golden wedding anniversary there, and couldn’t have made a better choice of accommodation. The house was spacious, spotless and peaceful. The grounds are spectacularly beautiful, and stepping out of our house to walk around the lakes was such a joy."

Simpson Family

"We have had such a wonderful, tranquil week enjoying the warm welcome, beautiful grounds and comfortable apartment. We will be recommending Bowhill and hope to return!"

Lodge Family

"A lovely comfortable apartment with comfy beds and sofas, and great storage. Blessed with great weather and each room had a lovely view of the beautifully kept gardens."

Harkness Family

"We had a wonderful stay at the Clock Tower - a fantastic apartment in the beautiful grounds of Bowhill. We look forward to a return visit later in the year!"

Black Family

"A beautifully appointed apartment surrounded by fabulous scenery. A great stay."

Mr Yeadon

"Our first holiday this year and what a place to come to. Spotlessly clean, warm and comfortable, and beautiful grounds to enjoy."

Spankie Family

"Beautifully furnished and decorated flat. Very spacious and in a great location. Very peaceful and relaxing, lovely atmosphere and lovely people working on the estate. Thank you."

Mr & Mrs Barrell

"A wonderful relaxing week. The flat is lovely and the grounds and surrounding countryside are beautiful."

Mr & Mrs Baxter

"We have just spent a wonderful long weekend at this gorgeous apartment and I wanted to pass on our thanks. It was stunning, luxurious, pristine and had everything we needed. A fantastic little gem. Thanks you"

Mrs Drury

Availability

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Location Rural setting within Bowhill House - 3.5 miles from Selkirk.
Dogs
  • Two dogs welcome with a charge of £15 per dog.
Arrival / Departure
  • Typical arrival day: Friday during high season with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
  • Arrival time: 4pm
  • Departure time: 10am
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The nearby loch amidst lush green forest and walking trails of the Bowhill Estate
The little things we love....
"The peace and tranquility of the nearby loch amidst lush green forest and walking trails."
Sue, Crabtree & Crabtree
email us or give us a call on 01573 226711 for details.

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