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Testimonials
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"This is our second visit. The perfect place for a holiday in the Scottish Borders! Warm, spacious, comfortable, and peaceful. Just wish we could stay..."
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"Another happy visit in our favourite farm cottage among beautiful scenery and such friendly and helpful hosts. We will return again soon."
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"You provided most generously for our every need, we have enjoyed our holiday immensely. Thank you very much and we certainly hope to return"
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"I have loved staying in the farm cottage; you are a very thoughtful hostess, you seem to think of everything for the comfort of your guests. I should love to come back again!"
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Smailholm Mains Farm Cottages
5 Smailholm Mains
Kelso
Roxburghshire
Scotland
TD5 7RT
Tel : (01573) 460 318
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Local Attractions in the Scottish Borders
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Kelso is a fine market town in the Scottish Borders. With stunning rolling countryside, amazing views and the chance to partake in wonderful outdoor pursuits Kelso is a lovely place to be.
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Travel to this lovely part of the UK and you will be delighted by everything that Kelso has to offer. You can stay on the Duke of Haddingtons estate, Mellerstain House, in a cottage on the working farm of Smailholm Mains. Jocks Cottage and Craggs Cottage are lovely Kelso Accommodation with everything you need for a full, relaxing and wonderful self-catering holiday.
There are many out door activities in the Kelso area. Golf is always very popular, as is salmon and trout fishing on the Tweed. Try clay pigeon shooting, horse riding across the heather covered kills, walking and cycling in the delightful tranquil scenery, quad bikes, or swimming.
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With many famous country houses in the local area such as Mellerstain House, the residence of the 13th Duke of Haddington, which was designed by the famous Scottish architect William Adam, with work by his son Robert Adam. The house dates from 1725, and is a truly grand Palladian stately home. The original Adam architectural plans for the house are on display for visitors, and the house has been open to the public for over fifty years.
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Mellerstain stands in gorgeous parkland, which was laid out by William Adam. The formal gardens were designed by Reginald Blomfield, and provide a fitting backdrop for the lovely Georgian house. The Cheviot Hills can be seen in the distance, soft and purple.
Floors Castle, the home of the Duke of Roxburghe, was also designed by William Adam, and is a stunning example of his style. Although called a castle it is in fact a lovely stately home, with castellated battlements. Floors Castle has the reputation of being haunted by several ghosts, including the first Duchess who disappeared in strange circumstances never to be seen again. |
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The castle has been the subject of a book about the hauntings, by M.R. James, entitled 'Ghost stores of an Antquary'.
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Kelso Abbey, though ruined, is a very beautiful and charming location, and its records remain in the Vatican to this day.
Built in 1128, and reduced to rubble by Henry VIII, in his reformation and determined effort to destroy all the Border Abbeys.
In 1919 the ruins of the Abbey at Kelso were passed to the nation. The grounds and ruins are open to the public, at no charge.
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Kelso Racecourse is known as Britain's friendliest racecourse and it is the home of National Hunt racing. It is in a stunning location, and has a fantastic atmosphere. With plenty of race days to entertain all the family, it makes a wonderful day out. There are fourteen fixtures in the season, and the course itself is positively steeped in history and tradition. The course is very similar to that of Cheltenham, just a little smaller, and has a great uphill run.
Smailholm Tower is a peel tower just five miles outside of Kelso. Built in the 15th century by the Pringle family, it sits atop a rocky promontory with excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
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Peel towers were used to protect from the marauding English raiders who attacked the Borders.
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Sir Walter Scott spent much time at Smailholm Tower, and it was the inspiration for his ballad 'The eve of St John'. The Tower was restored in 1800 by the uncle of Sir Walter Scott. Today the Smailholm Tower is an exhibition space for depictions of Sir Walter Scott’s work, and the local history of Smailholm.
With so much to do, and so much to see, a family holiday at Smailholm Mains, Jocks Cottage or Craggs Cottage, will be a fun filled one. They are both delightful self-catering Kelso accommodation.
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