The cottage and Shepherd's Hut sleep 4 people. Use of the shepherd's hut and some logs for your stove) comes for free when you book Curlew Cottage, situated at Meadshaw Farm, Roberton, Hawick in the Scottish Borders. One small well behaved dog is permitted on request for which a small charge of £5.00 per night is payable to your host on arrival at the cottage. The cottage is 2 minutes up a good forest track, amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the Scottish Borders.
Forest Walks - Although Meadshaw is a working forest, and some of the nearby forest has been felled recently, you will still find plenty of walks from your door and at nearby Craik Forest.
Remote and peaceful - Curlew Cottage and Shepherd's Hut is a real "get away from it all."
Curlew Cottage: There is a double bedroom with double doors out to a small patio, a single bed, shower room, utility room with washing machine and dishwasher, and a wonderfully light and airy kitchen/dining room with mezzanine above. The kitchen is well equipped with all mod cons (including remote controlled blinds for the Velux windows). It has a dining area and comfy seating area with freeview TV, DVD, CD and internet connection. There is no mobile phone connection in the immediate area. Throughout the cottage, the natural stone floors are cosy and warm underfoot, heated by an external log burning boiler which also heats the nearby farmhouse, and provides as much hot water as you want.
The Shepherd's Hut: The hut is next to the cottage, and provides a unique extra space, for relaxing or even to spend the night in the large single convertible bed. With the wood-burning stove lit, it is toasty warm. Logs and kindling are supplied. It is simply furnished, and accessed by wooden steps.
Outside: There is a paved sitting area with lovely views of the hills and the river. There is also an area in the old hay barn opposite the cottage, which can be used for boots, bikes etc if the weather is wet. There is parking outside the cottage.
The owners live 15 metres away in Meadshaw Farmhouse, and are on hand to give advice if required, but are equally happy to leave you to enjoy the peace and quiet, this being one of those rare places where you will hear no traffic noise and see only the stars at night.
Surrounding Area: Immediately from the door there are miles of waymarked tracks and paths which are perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding. The surrounding hills are also on your doorstep, and provide lovely walks to the nearby hill lochs - Broadlea and Branxholme Easter and Wester Lochs. The river below the cottage has several pebbly "beach" areas and pools where you can enjoy a paddle or wild swim in the summer months!
Depending on the season, you may well be rewarded with sightings of the abundant wildlife around the cottage, from the native red squirrel, otter and salmon, to local woodland birds such as the siskin and woodpecker. There are also osprey and gosshawk in the area, and in the Springtime, you will hear the skylark, oyster-catcher and curlew from the cottage.
Livestock is kept at the farm, including rare-breed hebridean sheep, chickens and ducks. We also have 2 little dogs and a cat.
Cyclists may store their bikes in one of the barns, and grazing and stabling (at an extra charge) is available for horse riders bringing their own horses.
Activities in the Area: For cyclists and walkers, Meadshaw Forest joins up with nearby 10,000 acre Craik Forest and there are miles of forest tracks to explore from your door. Further afield, more mountain biking is available at Innerliethen, Glentress (Peebles), Newcastleton and Keilder Water. Horse riding and golf are available at Ashkirk (7 miles) where there is also a pub and restaurant.
Hawick, the local woollen mill town is 10 miles away. It has restaurants, supermarkets and shops, a leisure centre and a lovely cinema, cafe and heritage centre. Hawick is known for its' cashmere shops, its' tradition of rugby and the annual Common Riding Festival. For a day out, you can visit one of the beautiful Border Abbey towns, such as Jedburgh or Melrose, or take the scenic 1.5 hour drive to Edinburgh by car. The new Borders railway will get you to Edinburgh in under an hour from Galashiels.
Green Tourism: At Meadshaw Farm we are working towards environmentally friendly living. All white goods at the cottage are A rated or better, heating/hot water is fuelled by local, sustainably managed woodland and the garden and farm are managed without commercial fertilisers.
Provided for you: All linen/towels, heating, electricity and logs for the shepherd's hut are included. One small well-behaved dog is welcome downstairs at a small charge of £5.00 per night payable on arrival at the cottage. Smoking is not permitted within the cottage.