Booked New Year 2010/11

Print property details

A romantic cottage with a castle next door!

Neidpath Castle Cottage is a conversion of part of the outbuildings to this anciemt castle and is now a comfortable, atmospheric and romantic cottage, which is ideal for that special holiday. It is a truly unique situation for a holiday cottage, and there's a pretty cottage garden to add to its charm. Close to the river and flanked by Neidpath Castle, this is a unique and stunning location.

Nearby Glentress is the number one visitor attraction in the Scottish Borders for mountain bikers, but there are other rides at Innerleithen Downhill and 7stanes. Then there's kayaking, open canoeing, archery, quad-biking, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, falconry, 4x4 off-road driving, and many more activities that can be arranged for groups of visitors to this region of Scotland.

Garden lovers will not be disappointed to find Dawyck Gardens close by, and also Kailzie Gardens, near Peebles.

Neidpath Castle is a massive, 14th-century, four-storey, stone, L-plan tower house, founded by the de Hay family, and is one of the grandest in the Tweed Valley. Much admired for its authenticity and historical insights, it is a romantic and attractive wedding and function venue, and popular film location. Built against the steep banks of the River Tweed, the main block, with its rounded corners, originally had three vaulted rooms. Extensive alterations to the tower in the 17th century removed the top vault and divided the middle vault to fit in extra floors. With 11-foot-thick stone walls, the castle contains a pit prison, a hand-cut draw well and Queen Mary's room. The Great Hall, which is available for drink receptions, is decorated with wood panelling and has stunningly beautiful batiks depicting "The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots". The castle, reputedly haunted, is entered through the remains of an interesting gatehouse with a round-headed arch.

Available all year round as a unique function venue, the castle can seat a maximum of 60 people. Standard booking is for 2 hours. Religious and civil ceremonies are held in Laigh Hall, which retains its original barrel-vaulted ceiling. In the small courtyard is a range of buildings dating from the 16th to the 18th century.