A cottage holiday in Edinburgh and the Border Country is easy to get to, but hard to leave.
From the enchanting cityscapes of Scotland's capital, and the rolling hills and moorland of the eastern coast, through to inspirational lowland of 'Burns Country' in the west; a holiday or short break here will inspire you. Immerse yourself in Sir Walter Scott's verse as you explore a region rich in beauty and heritage. Relax and discover your own special place in a cottage in beautiful Border Country.
Accommodation with Nature on the Doorstep
From a Scottish Country Cottage in the Galloway and Dumfries area you can explore beautiful forests such as Dalbeatie, where you’ll find a red squirrel trail among enchanting mixed woodland, or the wonderful Galloway Forest Park, wrapped around the scenic circuit of Loch Trool. Or perhaps you’d prefer a cottage near the borders to visit the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, where you can use webcams to spy on the seals and birds; nearby you can take boat trips to see seals and dolphins at play.
For beautiful hill scenery, our range of cottages can provide the perfect base for exploring Scotland’s longest way-marked walking route, the Southern Upland Way, stretching 212 miles from coast to coast. Or Glentress Forrest, just east of Peebles, is ideal for walking, cycling and horse-riding holidays, and offers the opportunity to spot osprey and buzzards. Whether you choose beautiful beaches in East Lothian, or the striking cliffs of the Ayrshire Coast, holiday cottages around Edinburgh and the Borderlands showcase the majestic diversity of the Scottish countryside.
Character Cottages Steeped in History and Heritage
From picture postcard crofter’s cottages to historic castle keeps, our diverse range of holiday homes allows you to rent a piece of history for a real step back in time. And there’s no better place for exploring Scottish heritage than in the Borderlands, where you’ll discover no end of castles, stately homes and historic ruins. The region has four truly amazing abbeys in Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh and Melrose, dating back to the 12 Century and the backdrop for centuries of English invasion. Melrose Abbey is reputedly the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart!
Or, choose a cottage in Dumfries and Galloway to take a journey of inspiration though ‘Burns Country’, Scotland’s poetic heartland, and home to the legendary national Bard, Rabbie Burns. Take the ‘Psalms, Poets and Pilgrims Tour’ to experience the same big skies, tumbling ruins, and dramatic scenery that inspired his romantic verse.
Choose a Cottage Holiday for Culture and Cuisine
Whether your favourite indulgence is freshly caught salmon and trout from the River Tay, or famous ice-cream from the ‘Cream O’Galloway’, connoisseurs of fine foods find all the fresh local produce they could want in the Borderlands, particularly in popular foodie towns such as Castle Douglas. In October and November your cottage holiday can embrace the ‘Borders Banquet’ - a showcase and celebration of the area’s unique culinary heritage, and a great opportunity to pick up some tips for making the most of your self-catering facilities!
And, if it’s culture you’re seeking then the region is brimming with it. Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, is famous the world over for its festival, and boasts a thriving arts scene all year round. Kirkudbright is also home to many fine painters and sculptors, and a cottage nearby offers a chance to explore the interesting galleries and eclectic shops of this pretty little fishing town. Scotland’s first book town, Wigtown, makes a great holiday destination for lovers of literature, and many hours are lost in its many antiquarian book shops.
Holiday Homes near the Highlights and Hotspots
With six golf courses to choose from, the Border Country makes for a great golfing short break, while many choose our cottages to retreat to during the thrills of the Edinburgh Festival. Others choose to holiday here to simply absorb the favourite landscape of Sir Walter Scott, and visit the same haunts that inspired works such as Ivanhoe, and The Lady of The Lake. Whether you want to taste the capital’s high life, or get active in the outstanding countryside, you’ll find the region full of memorable holiday activities.
And if it’s family fun that makes your holiday special, then you’ll find plenty of great days out within easy reach of our range of holiday cottages. Don’t miss ‘Our Dynamic Earth’ in Edinburgh, where you’ll travel right back to the beginning of time and around the world in one day. For kids young and old The Adventure Centre at Ratho offers rock climbing for all abilities and an aerial assault course for those who dare! The Border Country’s many stately homes and formal gardens all make great playgrounds for the whole family, and there are plenty of unspoilt golden beaches for the traditional seaside holiday. Spend relaxed summer days walking on their shores, or watching waves lap gently under wide blue skies.
Visit our availability search page to find your next holiday cottage in Edinburgh and the Border Country.
Browse our holiday cottages by resort:
Ayr holiday cottages
Brockholes Farm holiday cottages
Canon Court holiday cottages
Castle Douglas holiday cottages
Coldstream holiday cottages
Cornheath Cottages holiday cottages
Cumnock holiday cottages
Dalbeattie holiday cottages
Dumfries holiday cottages
Dunbar holiday cottages
Duns holiday cottages
Duns Castle Estate holiday cottages
Edinburgh holiday cottages
Eyemouth holiday cottages
Galston holiday cottages
Girvan holiday cottages
Gullane holiday cottages
Hawick holiday cottages
Jedburgh holiday cottages
Kelso holiday cottages
Kilmarnock holiday cottages
Kinmount Court holiday cottages
Kirkcudbright holiday cottages
Lanark holiday cottages
Lauder holiday cottages
Livingston holiday cottages
Moffat holiday cottages
Newton Stewart holiday cottages
Penicuik holiday cottages
Selkirk holiday cottages
Stranraer holiday cottages
Thornhill holiday cottages
Tranent holiday cottages
Traquair Mill holiday cottages
West Linton holiday cottages