Enviably positioned on the edge of the stunning Bughtrig Estate, this pretty stone cottage combines tranquil rural charm with artful interiors.
Enjoy exclusive access to the stunning formal gardens and tennis courts at nearby Bughtrig Estate while you stay in this charming village cottage.
Built from traditional stone, and enviably positioned in the village of Leitholm, on the edge of the stunning Bughtrig Estate - from which the cottage borrows its name - Bughtrig Cottage, is a delightful romantic hideaway.
Following a top-to-toe renovation at the hands of the Estate's owners, Will and Natasha Ramsay - a name that will be instantly familiar to those with an interest in art - the cottage has been decked out with original artwork, designer wallpapers and a chic palette of Farrow & Ball paint colours that reflect the soft pinks and earthy hues of the surrounding floral gardens.
An open plan sitting room / kitchen with an inviting fireplace and plush velvet sofas generously strewn with Oka cushions forms the heart of this homely holiday cottage. The small kitchen, which is tucked away behind the stairs and a dining room table for four, is well equipped and features Bert & May tiles that artfully mirror the patterned rug in the living area.
With no detail too small, the house is exquisitely decorated throughout. A capacious tiled boot room painted in vibrant teal provides ample space for your four-legged friend and walking attire, while the stylish family bathroom features warm honey-hued tiles, seashell wallpaper and claw-foot bathtub - perfect for a rejuvenating soak after a long yomp with the dog.
Set within a pretty garden, the highlight for many will be the small summer house complete with a handcrafted bar where you can mix up evening drinks to enjoy while admiring the view to the Cheviot Hills.
The cottage also boasts access to nearby estate walks and gardens which guests are free to explore. Open to the public as part of Scotland's Open Garden Scheme, Bughtrig Gardens comprise intimate hedged gardens, beautifully restored greenhouses with clambering roses and the 246-foot-long Grass Walk - a lush carpet of lawn flanked by colourful herbaceous borders. Dotted amongst the gardens, there is also a diverse array of sculptures and statues, including a bronze of Vice-Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who masterminded the naval force's contribution to the Dunkirk evacuation and D-Day landings during World War 2.
In addition to access to the formal gardens, guests staying at Bughtrig Cottage can also use the tennis court and summer gardens by prior arrangement with the owners.
A good village pub is within walking distance and more extensive amenities can be found in the historic town of Coldstream, which is just a ten-minute drive from the cottage.
For general recreation and walking, The Hirsel Estate and Country Park at Coldstream is a gem of a spot sitting just on the edge of Coldstream with artisan workshops, a small museum, cosy tearoom and lovely waymarked walks around the lake and through estate parkland. In springtime, acres of snowdrops and daffodils blanket the grounds, and The Dundock Path is particularly stunning in late May or early June when the rhododendrons and azaleas burst into glorious colour. The woodland and riverside trails are wonderful in all seasons with an abundance of bird-watching and wildlife spotting opportunities including otters, kingfishers and over 170 different bird species.
For sightseeing, the property is an ideal base for exploring the wider area with its magnificent countryside steeped in turbulent and romantic history, punctuated by imposing castles, including Floors, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh, Thirlestane and Alnwick; the evocative ruins of abbeys at Kelso, Melrose and Dryburgh; and the grand stately homes and gardens of nearby Paxton, Manderston and Mellerstain.
The stunning heritage coastline is just a short twenty-minute drive with miles of pristine sandy beaches, jolly pubs serving the freshest fish and chips, and picture-postcard coastal villages with charming galleries and gift shops.
Birdwatchers, walkers and photographers will delight in the stunning cliffs and coves of the Berwickshire coastline where you will spot thousands of seabirds and seals around the St. Abbs Nature Reserve or cross the causeway at low tide to the very beautiful Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Experience the exhilarating thrill of kitesurfing at Bamburgh, coasteering at Beadnell or perhaps just the simple pleasures of a picnic and a game of beach cricket on sands that remain almost deserted even in the summer months.
