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Entire home

Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley

Photo gallery for Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley

Kitchen features a clean design with white cabinetry, dark countertops, and oven, toaster, kettle, and microwave.
Escape to a serene countryside retreat with a traditional cottage surrounded by a peaceful landscape.
Cozy living space with a sofa, armchair, and kitchen area.
Enjoy a meal in a serene dining area with a long table set for a meal, complete with fine china and a beautiful floral arrangement.
Compact laundry room with a washing machine, dryer, and drying rack.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley

Old Kirkstead is tucked away in the beautiful Yarrow Valley between Selkirk (16 miles) and Moffat (16 miles). It is accessed from the A708 through Kirkstead Farm steading and along 0.5 miles rough track.

This traditional stone shepherds cottage has been extended to provide a large contemporary kitchen with a spacious open plan living area and four bedrooms. There is a double bedroom with en-suite shower room, and a twin bedroom downstairs; and a further twin bedroom and king size bedroom upstairs. The bathroom is located downstairs, and has an over bath shower. The utility room has space for a dog bed as well as the washing machine and tumble drier.

Warmed by oil-fired central heating, Old Kirkstead is comfortable and cosy throughout the year.

The cottage is an ideal base for hill walkers, bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts, or families who just want to get away from it all and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Well behaved dogs are welcome, however they must be kept on a lead as this is a working farm.

There is no broadband and limited mobile signal at Old Kirkstead although there is 4G a couple of miles down the valley.

Property manager

Hilary

Languages

English

Property amenities

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Similar properties

Property grounds

Curlew Cottage, Hawick, Scottish Borders

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 99 reviews
Curlew Cottage, Hawick, Scottish Borders

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Note from host: Dogs must be kept on a lead

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Cosy Rural Retreat in the Beautiful Yarrow Valley Cottage
Cosy Rural Retreat in the Beautiful Yarrow Valley Selkirk

About the neighborhood

Map
Selkirk, Scotland

What's nearby

  • St Mary's Loch - 12 min drive - 9.8 miles
  • Bowhill House - 12 min drive - 8.6 miles
  • Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott - 20 min drive - 15.9 miles
  • Traquair House - 20 min drive - 14.7 miles
  • Leisure Club and Spa at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel - 24 min drive - 19.2 miles

Getting around

  • Tweedbank Station - 34 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 97 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Caberston Coffee Shop - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Waterwheel Café - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Saffron - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Gordon Arms Hotel - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪No1 Peebles Road - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley located?

Set in Selkirk, this family-friendly cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Bowhill House, Market Square, and St Mary's Loch. Halliwell's House Museum and Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Cosy rural retreat in the beautiful Yarrow Valley Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 84 out of 85 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 85 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

susan edna s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

new year in yarrow

beautiful place loved it.the children also loved it.so did the dog.will deffo book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great get away

Wonderful spot and very comfortable home.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay

A lovely place to get away from it all.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning Stay

Our stay was in stunning setting. Recommend getting there before dark as it is set back but then you are sitting in a postcard. We had a delicious lemon loaf and well equipped kitchen and home over the holidays. Thank you Hilary!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Helen P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A gem!

A beautiful property both inside and out. Perfect place to stay, can’t wait to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Old Kirkstead

Old Kirkstead is a really nice spot which was enjoyed by kids and parents alike. We'd never been to this part of Scotland before but we'll be back for longer in the summer having only had three nights this time round. Hilary (the host) couldn't have been more helpful after we managed to completely mess up the booking too!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

JE v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A place to rest.

Just a proper place which is basic and inclusive at the same time.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marie J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy getaway

Cosy getaway with all mod cons and plenty of space for 8 adults. We enjoyed exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding the cottage, playing games and sharing home cooked meals.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ala R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic view

The property was nice and clean enough to sleep 8 peoples and more. Very comfortable and nothing lacking, the host has provided everything needed. Lovely communal areas and outside space. We've enjoyed the seen and the walk to St Mary's Loch. Would recommend and go again :)
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful stone cottage in amazing setting

Beautiful old cottage that has been perfectly retrofitted for comfort without ruining the ambiance. Nice large public areas, very well equipped kitchen, pleasant bedrooms… The setting is absolutely gorgeous, albeit with a bumpy road in for a short distance. Wonderful hiking all around. I would love to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel F.

Amazing cottage in the most beautiful setting

We loved our stay as much as our last visit to this truly idyllic location. The cottage is very spacious and has everything you need - the homemade cake on our arrival was a very nice touch. It’s an amazing location if you are looking to get away from it all and the surrounding area has lots of good walks for those looking to just get outdoors and for the more experienced walker too. We will definitely be booking again
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie R., Lancashire

Perfect getaway in peaceful beauty

A wonderful, clean and tidy cottage, hidden away in beautiful hillsides. We loved the animal on the farm surrounding us, the walks, the Loch, the views and the games at the cottage! We also appreciated having no WiFi!!! Perfect week away, we will certainly be back soon!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rachel F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Complete relax and recharge

This is our 3rd visit and it never fails to deliver. The location is idyllic for a complete get away from busy everyday lives. The cottage is immaculate and has everything you need. Our family love our time here where we can enjoy walks in the stunning surroundings and totally relax in the well presented cottage. The home baking on arrival is a very personal touch
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeded our expectations

Completely remote and surrounded by wildlife, this cottage exceeded our expectations. We recommend: a walk around St Mary's loch from the cottage stopping at the Glen Cafe for cake, eat out at home from the Gordon Arms, and a visit to one of the many historic houses and gardens nearby. We were surprised to find so much to do, that we couldn't fit it all in one week. Our two dogs loved the holiday as well.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nigel D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful retreat.

It's easy to forget what peace and tranquillity is living near a large city but after a full day here you really begin to feel unwound. The property was very clean, escpecially the kitchen and bedding. The hosts just left us to it which we also appreciated. I would echo what a few other guests have mentioned about the 0.5 mile track to the property however. I would recommend a vehicle with at least "normal" ground clearance. A family hatchback / saloon can make it without grounding if driven slowly but a sports car would struggle. The sheep really entertained us also! Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fiona B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely, isolated house in the Borders.

Thank you Hilary for a lovely stay despite the wet weather. We all enjoyed our time in the house and thanks for the loan of jump leads. The house was well equipped and warm and well set up for 4 adults and 3 kids. The games were a godsend! Thank you. Fiona
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

rivka d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Aug 2024

We had a lovely very peaceful stay at Kirkstead farm. We didn't meet a soul near by our entire stay. The nearest supermarket/co op was half hour drive away! Was warmed by the lovely gesture of a fresh cake on arrival and wine and milk in the fridge too. the property was very clean and the grounds are superb. the stream just by the house was a a real perk and the sheep and stunning surrounding scenery was just beautiful. though we had a mostly rainy stay, we were grateful for the dry days at the end of the week and had a great time. Hilary, our host answered any quires we had and was lovely knowing she was just down the road from our house.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden gem

Old kirkstead was perfect for a friends and family break away from busy lives ! If you want to get away from everything and have gorgeous views and sheep in the garden this is the place for you. We loved the peace and quiet and no wifi we played games and wandered outside.One thing to bear in mind though is the track to the cottage is very rough and has pot holes so don’t go in a fancy car that is low as you’ll end up with no underneath!!Overall the cottage was well equipped apart from a lack of space to hang clothes in downstairs bedrooms but we loved having a washer and dryer and the cake and wine was a lovely treat for our arrival. Thank you so much hangclothes
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karolina P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas break

The best Christmas break ever! House in the middle of nowhere! Amazinng lake and river just next to you! We walked into warm and cosy cottage! We had milk, water and wine waiting for us! You will find everytjing you need for your stay! Clean and spacecious house! Kitchen fully equipped! We also had a Christmas tree!!! Thank.you very.much! We will be back over summer ☀️
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emma V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place to relax

We travelled as 4 adults and 4 children from age 2 to 5 . The house was perfect, the kids loved exploring the surrounding hills and stream. They said the best bits of the week were when we were just in the house. They also loved the books and toys there even though we did take our own too. We just spent our evenings watching the birds and bats with a little drink. All in all everyone loved thier stay. The only extra thing would be a mirror in the upstairs bedroom although this didn't impact on our enjoyment it would have been useful. Hilary was responsive to all my many questions before we arrived. Thanks again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet T., London

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and remote

Lovely and quiet, the only neighbours are sheep. The track to the house is very rough, my son got a puncture from the sharp stones. A few more home comforts needed, such as three drawer units in the bedrooms for clothes, and shelves in the bathroom and en-suite. There was no mop head for the mop and no dishcloths or scourers. Only one tea towel was provided which we had to keep washing. There’s also no pegs for hanging clothes on the dryer, or washing up liquid. These are just a few niggles, but would really improve the experience. The hot water and en-suite shower was second to none, and the space is great for children to run around. Make sure you take everything you need, as there are no local shops. But this was not a problem for us. We thoroughly enjoyed the remote experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing break

Love the secluded location, great social space and super comfy!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short break to celebrate a 50th birthday with friends

The Old Kirkstead was the perfect getaway with friends. The house had everything we needed & was in the perfect location.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adriane R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Erholsamer Urlaub

Viel Natur. Anreise wegen des unbefestigtem Weg erlebnisreich, auch wegen der Schafe, aber sehr schön. Das Haus liegt idyllisch im Tal am Bach.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marina D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Vacance de fin d'année

Super maison avec toutes les commodités et cadre à couper le souffle
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023