With three charming one-bedroom self-catering cottages near Kelso, Burnbrae provides the perfect basecamp to enjoy the many activities and places to see on both sides of the Scotland / England Border. There’s also a wealth of events throughout the year, both in Kelso and at the numerous historic sites and places of interest throughout the region. If you enjoy outdoor pursuits, Burnbrae offers a secure store for bikes, fishing and golfing gear etc. and for your convenience, each cottage also has a heated drying cupboard. A washing machine and a tumble dryer are available on-site.
For those who haven’t visited the beautiful Borders area before, we have put in your cottage an information folder with some suggestions of places to visit and things to do while staying at Burnbrae including ideas for a Wet Day. and Places to visit in winter, Places to visit on the East coast of the Borders.
Here is a link to a Visit Scotland film of family activities to do in SOUTHERN SCOTLAND. Some are within 40 mins drive from Burnbrae Holidays. The coastal walk & bird watching shown was filmed at St Abbs Head, the surfing was filmed at Coldingham beach, Go Ape and trail cycling was filmed at Glentress.
Walking
Walking opportunities surround Burnbrae. Our holiday cottages are set within approximately thirty acres of fallow farmland, ideal for peaceful strolls and early-morning walks. For longer routes, there are many excellent walks near Kelso just a short drive away, including riverside paths along the River Tweed, open hill walking in the Cheviot Hills and quiet countryside trails across the Scottish Borders.
Cycling
Burnbrae Holidays is an excellent base for cycling near Kelso. Cyclists are welcome, with a secure lockable cycle store, e-bike hire delivered to the cottages, basic tools and a bike work stand. An outside tap is available for washing bikes, and each cottage has a heated drying cupboard, with laundry facilities on site. Enjoy quiet scenic roads and nearby mountain bike trails across the Scottish Borders, and we’re always happy to suggest routes to suit your pace and interests.
Arts and Crafts in the Borders
The Scottish Borders are well known for their talented artists and makers, with plenty to explore near Kelso. Visit the new crafters’ shop in Kelso, follow the Borders Art Galleries Trail or discover a wide range of galleries and working studios across the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Many artists welcome visitors into their studios, offering a chance to see work being created and to admire inspiring local art in relaxed, welcoming settings.
Fishing
The rivers Tweed, Teviot, Whiteadder and Blackadder are also close by. If you are already into river fishing, then you will know the river Tweed (only 5 km away) is one of the premier rivers in the world, with excellent fishing for trout, salmon and grayling.
Horse Riding
With horses available for hire and horse riding lessons for beginners and experienced riders at Nenthorn Equestrian Centre, sited immediately adjacent our cottages, Burnbrae makes a great base for horse riding & pony trekking in the area around Kelso.
Kelso Race Course
Kelso Race Course stages horse racing over steeplechase fences and hurdles from September until May each year. Known for being the friendliest Racecourse. 3 miles from Burnbrae Holidays on Golf Course road. TD5 7SX
Family History
If your family had associations with the Scottish Borders in the past, Burnbrae is 30 mins easy drive of the wealth of records available in the region, at the Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre held at the Heritage Hub in Hawick.
Golf
There are 20 unique and challenging golf courses in the Scottish Borders, all within easy reach of Burnbrae. Our cottages are an ideal base for a week or more of playing various courses.
Historic Sites
The Borders near Kelso is steeped in fascinating – and often turbulent – history, evidence of which remains throughout the area: magnificent fortifications; land struggles; castles and fine buildings; museums and abbeys. It’s all here in the Borders.
Visit the dramatic Borders coastline.
Burnbrae is only a quiet 40-minute drive from the Borders coastline. Our favourite beach is Coldingham Beach, as it has rock pools and sand, coastal cliff-top walks, and is child-friendly. There is a free car park, beach cafe, and, in the summer, lifeguards on the beach.
Bamburgh beach is another of our favourites. 2 miles of golden sand stretch from Bamburgh Castle to Seahouses. It’s rarely busy yet one of Scotland’s best surfing beaches. Northumberland’s coastline is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Our favourite coastal walk starts from St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve there are dramatic cliffs, spectacular views, amazing wildlife, seabird colonies and more.
We recommend the wildlife boat trips to the Farne Islands which depart from Sea Houses, in Northumberland. See many different birds up close including shags, guillemots, kittiwakes and terns. Puffins can be seen from mid-April until late July.
Visit a Distillery
Many small gin and whisky distilleries are a short drive from Burnbrae Holidays. THE BORDERS DISTILLERY IN HAWICK opened in March 2018 producing both gin and whisky. The shop is open all year Mon-Fri. Tours are available from 1st April until October, Mon- Sat 11am, 1pm, & 3pm. To book see their website or phone 01450 374330.
Textiles in Hawick
Visit the Borders TEXTILE TOWERHOUSE in Hawick, a small, free museum about the local textile industry over the last 200 years. Open April – October Mon – Sat 11-4 November- March 11-4pm Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat .
JOHNSTONS MILL of Elgin can also be found in Hawick. Book the Discovery Experience with or without afternoon tea to learn about the cashmere yarn and merino wool being woven into the beautiful fabric, there is also a shop. Open 7 days a week all year.
Hawico celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024 . Knitwear has been manufactured in Hawick since 1874. The tourist information center and factory shop are both open 930-5 pm Mon-Fri.