As life settled down over the centuries, fortresses were remodelled into grand homes, and great estates were formed as shows of wealth by noble Borders families – dukes and earls among them. Today many of these estates are visitor attractions as well as family homes, with great days out for all the family close to your holiday cottage at Burnbrae Holidays. There are many historical houses and castles to visit within 50 miles of Burnbrae Holidays. (Floors Castle and Mellerstain House are within 3 miles of Burnbrae). Here are a few.
Just a few minutes drive towards Kelso from Burnbrae you will see the imposing stone walls of the Duke of Roxburgh’s family home, Floors Castle, or the ‘Duke’s dykes’ as they are known locally, dyke being a Scots word for stone wall. The castle is reputed to have 365 windows – one to clean every day of the year! The gardens at Floors Castle were re-designed in 2016. There are 2 cafes selling homemade food and drinks. The Apple shed sells gifts & a deli including ready-made frozen meals.
Floors Castle, grounds, Courtyard Cafe and gift shop are now closed until spring 2025.
The terrace cafe, shop and walled garden are open daily 10.30-4 pm.
Another beautiful house just a few minutes drive (or 4 miles walk/cycle on quiet country lanes and farm tracks) from your cottage is the lovely Georgian stately home of Mellerstain House and Gardens, unusual in that it was begun by the architect William Adam, and finished over 45 years later by his more famous son, Robert. Set in idyllic parkland with terraced formal gardens and a lake, Mellerstain’s glorious Adam interior is hailed as one of the best in Scotland, with classical scenes hardly touched since the 1700s, adorning the ceilings, walls and fireplaces. There is also a delicious cafe (not always open) and a children’s playground. This stately home is still a family residence. Guided tours are available during the summer. Dogs on leads are allowed in the grounds & gardens.
The grounds & gardens are open all year 11am -5pm. Mellerstain House is now closed until spring 2025.
About 40 minutes away near Selkirk is Bowhill House and Estate, one of the homes of the Duke of Buccleuch, who once owned so many acres it was said you could walk from Scotland down to London and not step off Buccleuch land. The Duke still has the largest collection of portrait miniatures, after Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The estate has a network of walks and bike-friendly trails, with riding stables and a huge adventure playground, as well as a cafe.
Bowhill House is closed for 2024 due to rewiring works, the grounds, play area and cafe are now closed until the spring.
Over towards Galashiels and Melrose is Abbotsford, built by Sir Walter Scott with the proceeds from his famous novels. As his popularity and success grew, so did his house on the banks of the Tweed. Abbotsford boasts a state-of-the-art visitor centre with a cafe and adventure playground in the adjoining woodland. Take a stroll from the formal gardens down to the River Tweed for fine views up towards the house. Inside, Sir Walter’s penchant for collecting Scottish relics sees a vast array of memorabilia on display, including Rob Roy’s sword and newspaper clippings about the trial of the notorious grave-robbers, Burke and Hare.
Abbotsford house, grounds, exhibition area, cafe and shop are open 7 days a week, (closed 23,24,25 & 26th December). It is recommended that you pre-book your timed tickets to visit Abbotsford House.
At Paxton House near Berwick-on-Tweed, you can see some fabulous Chippendale furniture, made especially for the house, and admire the works of art on loan from the National Gallery, Scotland which are on display in the magnificent portrait gallery. Children will enjoy the teddy bear trail, as they seek out the teddies hidden in many of the rooms as they tour around. They can even dress up in Regency and Georgian costume to take their tour. There is a cafe in the former stables and an adventure playground. Boat trips are available about 10 days a month from Paxton. Salmon are still netted by hand from Paxton on the Tweed as part of a research project.
Paxton House tearoom, gardens and play area are open daily from April until October. The grounds and gardens are open all year 10 am -5 pm. Discounted tickets are available if you book online.
Up near Peebles, Traquair House is the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland, with links to the ’45 – the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 – and the ill-fated Bonnie Prince Charlie. Look out for the Bear Gates, which were closed after the prince’s visit in 1745, and which the family said would not be opened again until there is a Stuart king on the throne. They remain closed to this day. There is a chapel, a brewery making Bear Ale and Jacobite Ale among others, a maze, a playground and the aptly-named 1745 Cottage restaurant.
Traquair House & gardens are open from 1st April until 31st October 11am until 4pm.
Just outside Lauder is Thirlestane Castle, ancient home to the earls and (one and only) Duke of Lauderdale, which has grown and changed from a fort in the 1300s to the grand house it is today with fabulously ornate plaster ceilings that look like delicate icing sugar. Don’t forget to look up as you wander around. Don’t miss visiting the room Bonnie Prince Charlie used when he stayed here in 1745 after the battle of Prestonpans. Children will love the collection of historic toys in the old family nurseries.
Guided tours are available of Thirlestain Castle and its grounds, April until October, Tues to Sun by pre-booking on the website. There isn’t a cafe within Thirlestain Grounds. There are many cafes in Lauder 10 min walk from the Castle.
Monteviot House and Garden near Ancrum is home to Lord Lothian – better known as the politician Michael Ancram – and boasts an idyllic setting with a series of gardens spilling down to the banks of the River Teviot. During July the house is also open, and by the owner’s admission has a ‘somewhat eccentric and tangled mixture of architecture. A helpful map guides visitors around and if you’re lucky you might come across the enthusiasts here, including the gardener, who is happy to answer questions.
Gardens are open 1st April until 31st October 12-5pm.
The House is open during the summer (closed Mondays)