The Sheep Cote, Pentland Hills
- 4+2
- 2
- 2
- 2
- Map
Overview
A little bubble of loveliness surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the Pentland Hills on the edge of the brilliant cultural city of Edinburgh.
Sure to tempt both couples and families into muddy boots and fresh country air
Dating back to the 18th Century, the aptly named Sheep Cote sits on a working sheep farm and enjoys dramatic far-reaching views across rolling farmland and vast heather covered hillsides. Its characterful stone built exterior opens into a fresh contemporary country interior – delightfully understated yet casually stylish with a real sense of home.
The arrangement of the cottage is a multi-level aspect following the contours of the original building, with the main living space on the ground floor, the kitchen and family bathroom on the first floor, and two bedrooms on the upper first floor.
Opening up into a fresh, airy sitting room, this cottage has a relaxed Scandi vibe with deep squishy sofas and a gentle colour palette, all warmed by wooden floorboards and soft natural textures. Add the warming glow of the wood burner and you can enjoy some seriously toasty relaxation here after a day outdoors. There is also a day bed which can offer additional sleeping provision, or simply for those days when settling down with a good book and a slice of cake seems like a perfect plan.
A set of stairs leads to the kitchen which is well equipped with all the essentials for holiday living, including a dining space for four guests. Doors lead out onto a raised shingle patio area with picnic table which is a perfect spot for taking in the morning sunrise with a rich coffee or an evening barbecue watching the dramatic colours shift over the heather-clad hillside.
This leads into a family bathroom with bath and waterfall shower, extending upwards into the upper level with twin bedroom and double bedroom with en-suite shower room, each continuing the tranquil theme with crisp linens, warm throws and soft chalky paint finishes.
Finally, for guests looking to holiday together but enjoy their own private space, The Coach House sleeping 6+2 sits next door, separated by the access road and external courtyard.
Property details
Ground Floor
This is a multi-level property with a sitting room on the ground floor, kitchen and family bathroom on the first floor and bedrooms on the upper first floor.
Ground Floor:
Access into a small boot room with hanging space and bench seating.
Open plan living area with two large sofas, Smart TV, wood burning stove (logs supplied), bookshelves and door to small enclosed rear garden. There is a double day bed which can sleep an additional two guests at additional cost which must be requested and paid for in advance of arrival.
First floor
Kitchen (9 steps up from the sitting room) with ceramic hob, electric oven and grill, fridge / freezer, dishwasher, small integrated fridge with ice box, microwave. Dining table with seating for 4. Door leading to outdoor raised multi-level area with picnic table and barbecue.
Hallway with washing machine and dryer.
Family bathroom with bath and shower over with both a handheld unit and rainforest head, heated towel rail, WC and basin.
Four steps up to;
Bedroom one with twin beds, small wardrobe with hanging space and two small chests of drawers.
Bedroom two with super king bed, side tables, chest of drawers, chair and double wardrobes with shelving.
En suite bathroom with shower with rainforest head and handheld unit, heated towel rail, WC and basin.
Outside
There is a small, fully enclosed garden to the rear, and to the front of the property is also a multi-level area with picnic bench, barbecue, fire pit and views over the hillside.
Parking
There is a gravelled parking area for two cars to the front of the property.
Children & Babies
A travel cot and highchair can be provided on request.
Dogs
Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £20 per dog. The property sits on a working sheep farm therefore dogs must be kept on leads and under control while walking in the surrounding area. This is particularly important during lambing season.
Guest amenities
Bed linen, towels and guest toiletries are provided but please note that a welcome pack is not supplied at this property.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Important - Wi-Fi is provided but please note that due to the rural location, it is community Wi-Fi and usage is restricted to 75GB per week so not suitable for streaming. Guests can purchase additional data should this be required. Please note this is a rural area and signal can be intermittent. Mobile coverage can be patchy depending on the network.
Heating
There is central heating throughout the cottages powered by a biomass boiler. Wood burning stove in the living area with logs supplied.
Guest privacy
The property sits adjacent to The Coach House which sits in the same ownership and can be let in conjunction with The Sheep Cote. The cottages sit on a working farm with farm buildings to the rear and a farmhouse to the left. As a result dogs and children should be closely supervised.
Additional Accommodation
For guests looking to holiday together, The Coach House sleeping 6+2 sits next door, separated by the access road and external courtyard.
Location
The village of West Linton (4.3 miles) has good local amenities including a small Co-op supermarket and deli for essential provisions as well as a post office, book shop, bank, and pharmacy. For tea and scones, head to the Olde Toll Tea House in the village, or for lunches or dinner the Gordon Arms pub sits nearby serving local tasty produce in the bar or the restaurant. For evening dining, the Old Bakehouse has a super reputation for its quaint ambience and high quality food and is ideal for a romantic dinner for two.
Penicuik (4.8 miles) has a greater range of amenities, pubs and restaurants and you can also find Lidl and Tesco supermarkets, a 24hr petrol station and The Penicuik Leisure Centre with gym facilities and swimming pool.
Whitmuir Organics (6 miles) has a coffee shop and restaurant and you can buy some fantastic meats, fruit and veg fresh from the farm. Everything in the shop can also be delivered so why not treat yourself and arrange for a wonderful box of organic goodies to be delivered to your holiday home in advance of your stay. Alternatively, their ‘Made Right Here’ range of steak pies, shepherds pies, pate, jams, cakes and chutney can help to make your holiday catering effortless.
The Secret Herb Garden (8 miles) is set within an old nursery and serves delicious and seasonal produce such as soups, quiches and cakes which can be enjoyed in the gardens or in the glasshouse.
The Restoration Yard and Wellbeing Lab sits within Dalkeith Country Park (14 miles) offering great shopping, homeware, food and drink, giftware and more. There is the Fort Douglas Adventure Park to keep children entertained with treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides and climbing walls. The Coffee Bar and restaurant offers tasty breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea using local produce.
Peebles and Biggar are pretty market towns and are around 17 miles away.
Activities
This area is a popular walking destination and biking destination and there are a vast number waymarked walks in and around the Pentland Hills Regional Park. Starting from the door, there’s a circular walking route from Monks Rig to West Kip Hill which takes approximately 2- 3 hours and starts next to the cottage at Nine Mile Burn. The route passes the Medieval Font Stone which marks the pilgrims’ path and there are fantastic views to be had from the top of West Kip Hill.
A shorter route, the Nine Mile Burn and Caps Law walk is a four-mile route which follows part of an old monks trail, heading up over Monks Ridge and Caps Law to the foot of the Kips.
A little further afield, the Capital View Walk explores the Hillend Country Park, starting with a steep climb up Hillend Hill and along the path to the top of the ski-slope which offers amazing views across Edinburgh and towards the Firth of the Forth.
The area also benefits from the largest dry ski facility in Europe at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend (11 miles) and a few miles further north will take you to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho where you can experience climbing, abseiling and bouldering as well as the highest indoor aerial assault course in the UK.
Local attractions include Rosslyn Chapel in the village of Roslin (11 miles) which dates back to 1446. Prominently featured in the best seller The Da Vinci Code, this beautiful heritage attraction has been the topic of many mystical theories including the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. A fascinating place, a fascinating history!
The Restoration Yard and Wellbeing Lab sits within Dalkeith Country Park (14 miles) offering great shopping, homeware, food and drink, giftware and more. There is also the Fort Douglas Adventure Park to keep children entertained with treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides and climbing walls.
For mountain biking and forest trails, Glentress (20 miles) is a superb destination with trails to suit all ages and abilities. With a brand new £8.5m visitor centre, it also has a cafe, bike hire and instruction on offer but with some fantastic opportunities for walking and wildlife too. And for an exhilarating thrill 40 feet above the forest floor, there are zip wires and tree top adventures at nearby Go Ape.
Despite its peaceful rural location, the motorway network can be reached in less than 15 minutes by car and allows easy access into Edinburgh and all that this magnificent city has to offer. Here 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 and Grassmarket; take a tour of the underground vaults of the old city; savour the atmosphere of the vibrant Edinburgh Fringe Festival or exceptional Jazz & Blues Festival, or visit its most famous landmark - the iconic Edinburgh Castle.
The spectacular East Lothian coast can be reached in half-an-hour with miles of expansive sandy beaches which are a haven for wildlife and birdlife. Favourite spots include the glorious family friendly beach at Gullane; the dune-fringed sands at Belhaven; the dog friendly cove at Yellowcraig; or the secluded sands at Seacliff - an enchanting gem with a tiny harbour and wonderful views north towards the Bass Rock and Tantallon Castle.
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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!
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out MoreServices
Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
Find Out More
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.
Find Out More
Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
Find Out MoreReviews
Availability
- Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £20 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday during high season with the additional option of Monday out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Enjoy free range roaming amidst the natural beauty of the Pentland Hills, yet you can enjoy the cultural delights of Edinburgh in less than half an hour."Sue, Crabtree & Crabtree
