Discover the magic of the Scottish Borders... A Guest Blog by The Tweed Valley Blogger

By dusk the sun slips behind the Southern Uplands and a hush descends. Tawny owl wings cut the cooling air while foxes bark from the hedgerows. Fading light silhouettes the Eildons’ three peaks and the Roman road of Dere Street glints like a javelin as it runs straight toward them. What better place to retreat for a few days and let the borders’ stories settle in?

The House in the Hill is the perfect place to discover the peculiar magic of the Scottish Borderlands, where traces of history meet ingenuity and the warmest of welcomes. Here you’ll find contemporary comforts of the house mixing with the rustic farming character which has shaped this place for thousands of years. And when the sun finally drops, hit the hot tub for the magic of a sky full of stars and the soundtrack of silence…

It’s easy to confuse the luxury of true silence for emptiness but these hills are full of echoes you can follow. When the Romans came to conquer they were not entering an empty landscape. Iron Age forts pepper the hills around here on intriguingly named rounded tops – Cunzierton Hill, Chatto Crag, Woden Law, Hownam Law, Sundhope Kipp. And when the might of Rome and the Legions arrived they too left their mark, not only with Dere Street, the key road in the North, but with camps at Chew Green, Pennymuir and most famously of all the mighty fort of Trimontium in the shadow of the Eildon Hills, which has its own first-class museum, just a 35 minute drive from here.

Take the time to explore the hills surrounding the House in The Hill, and more surprises await. Dropping down into the valley of the Kale Water, just a short drive from here, and you will find Beirhope. A little oasis in the Cheviot Hills, home to a herd of alpacas, where you can take these charming beasts for a hike then retreat to the barn afterwards for a hot drink. Owners Lynne and Alan, plus team have created

something quietly magic here and it’s a must visit for guests at The House in The Hill. Continue down into the Kale valley and you’ll find a remote glen with green hills, babbling burns and quaint cottages. It’s Borders hill farming country at its best, with the charming village of Morebattle at its head. Here a community run shop and pub are waiting to greet travellers. From Morebattle, take a return route via Cessford with its stout, tough ruin of a castle. Once home to the fearsome Kerr family, it’s 10 foot thick walls speak of the turbulence of the Borders. Thankfully now the only border wars take place on the rugby pitch and the Kerrs have graduated to much more salubrious surroundings but these remnants are part of our border character and serve to remind us of where we came from. Then its quiet lanes. Samieston. Rennieston. Dere Street again, and home.

If supplies are needed for your time here, then make Jedburgh (15 minute drive) your destination with its wonderful array of independent shops, including an outstanding butchers and bookshop. Everything you need for a cosy self-catering stay can be found in this historic town.

While in town, explore this ancient Royal Burgh which too still carries the scars of Border conflicts long past. The magnificent abbey which once housed royalty was attacked many times, but enough remains to confirm the majesty of its medieval origins. Up the hill on the site of the former castle you’ll find the Victorian jail which is free to enter and is said to be haunted. History buffs will relish the iconic Canongate Bridge and a visit to Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre in the town. Jedburgh has enough charm and attractions to spend a wonderful day out before retreating back into the hills…

Further afield you will find all the attractions of The Borders at your disposal. In Hawick (35 minute drive) you’ll find cashmere mills, a distillery and a town rich in heritage and character. Kelso (25 minute drive) is a prosperous market town, known for salmon fishing, it’s racecourse and a number of great cafes. Drop further into the Tweed Valley and explore Melrose, Dryburgh Abbey and leafy St. Boswells

(including the stupendous Mainstreet Trading Company) – all easily found via the A68, the modern road following the line of the old Roman road. Finally, for all of Scotland’s rich history in one room, visit The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels (45 minute drive).

Guests who choose The House in The Hill are looking for more than a comfy bed - they want to be in a place that rewards curiosity. The Borders are not only undoubtedly picturesque, but as someone who regularly walks these ancient roads, rounded hills and charming towns, I can promise you the landscape will reward your attention.

If you want the comfort of a high-end retreat paired with the slow, surprising pleasures of local history with a true sense of place, this place offers all in equal measure. Book your stay at The House in The Hill and let the Borders speak to you.

Three must-do experiences during your stay

• Walk the Roman road of Dere Street at dusk and see the Eildons in silhouette

• Take an alpaca hike at Beirhope, followed by a cosy drink in the barn

• Visit the Trimontium museum in Melrose and find out about the Romans and natives who once lived in these hills

Three great places to get food and drinks for your cosy retreat

• Briggsy’s Quality Butchers in Jedburgh for the finest locally sourced cuts

• Mainstreet Trading Delicatessen in St. Boswells for the perfect charcuterie

• Abbey Fine Wines in Melrose has a superb selection of wine, plus craft beer and spirits.

Stewart Wilson (AKA Tweed Valley Blogger) is a Scottish Borders based Tour Guide & Blogger. Stewart guides bespoke driver-led tours, and walking tours in all Borders towns. He is a 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice winner, putting his tours in the top 10% of global attractions. Find out more by listening to his weekly Tweed Valley Blogger Podcast or finding him online at tweedvalleyblogger.com