South Cottage Teviothead

South Cottage is one of two farm cottages at Howpasley, near Teviothead. It's a quiet spot, right at the top of the valley. You'll hear the burn running and not much else.

The cottage itself sleeps four. Two bedrooms upstairs, one bathroom, and the living room and kitchen downstairs. It's a 3 Star place. We've just done it up, so it's clean and comfortable, but it's not fancy. The layout is the old farmworker style, so the rooms are a good size but the second bedroom isn't huge. If you've got two teenagers or four adults, North Cottage next door might suit you better. You can book them together if you're a larger group.

It's a working farm, but mostly conservation woodland and some sheep grazing now. You're welcome to walk the farm tracks by the burn, just avoid the fields with sheep in them.

For facilities: there's a wood burner in the living room, and the heating and hot water are from an oil boiler. There's a washing machine, bedding and towels are included, and you can park right outside. The garden has a picnic table. We've got fibre broadband so the internet is decent, and there's a reasonable mobile signal.

For getting out, you've got direct access into Craik Forest from the farm. There are walking trails and miles of forest roads for cycling. Fishing and horse riding are available locally. The nearest town for shops is Hawick, about twelve miles away.

For a day out, you're about an hour's drive from Carlisle to the south, and under two hours from Edinburgh to the north. The wider Scottish Borders area is good for walking and exploring. Useful links if you're planning: Visit Scotland Scottish Borders and Forestry and Land Scotland.