Braidwood Castle Braidwood

This is Braidwood Castle. It's a proper tower house from around 1581, not a pastiche. It's been in the same family for centuries. You're essentially renting a piece of history.

It sleeps five. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms. The master bedroom is at the very top of the tower, with its own shower room. The rating is 4 Star, which reflects the unique character and the quality of the fittings, not just the facilities.

It's important to be clear about the stairs. They are the original stone stairs, built inside the thick walls. They are steep, narrow, and spiral in places. There are a lot of them. If you have mobility issues or very young children, this isn't the place for you. We have Orchard Cottage next door which is more suitable.

The main living room is the great hall on the first floor. It has a huge original fireplace with a wood burner. The painted ceiling is original and quite special. The kitchen is on the ground floor, with a stone floor and a vaulted ceiling. It has a dishwasher and a washing machine.

The setting is an acre and a half of enclosed garden and woodland. You can walk down to the River Clyde from the grounds. It's very peaceful.

You're about five miles from Lanark. The New Lanark World Heritage Site is well worth a visit. Glasgow is about a 40-minute drive, or you can get the train from Carluke. The Clyde Valley has good walking, including the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve.

There's a local pub and a restaurant about three quarters of a mile away. A shop is a mile.

Facilities: everything listed is included. The beds will be made up for you. We allow up to two well-behaved dogs. There's parking right outside.

Useful links for planning: Visit Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland.