Howford - Self Catering Scottish Borders

29/08/2024

Melrose Music Festival is back again this year, 7-15th September.

21/08/2024

Congratulations to a great local restaurant, The Gordon Arms for their listing in The Good Food Guide Top 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024!
We recommend booking ahead if you would like to get a chance to enjoy their tasting menu...

09/08/2024

Interiors and lifestyle Pop-up shop at Bowhill this summer...

06/08/2024

Beyond Borders Scotland is hosting it's annual festival at Traquair House on 24-25th August. To book tickets or view the programme lineup of thought provoking speakers, see link below.

Beyond Borders is "a Scottish based non-governmental organisation dedicated to facilitating cultural exchange and international dialogue between nations. Beyond Borders aims to create a vibrant international platform within Scotland, at times drawing on Scotland’s unique cultural and political heritage, to break down borders between peoples, and help facilitate wider international cultural exchange, dialogue and reconciliation."
https://bbintfest.com/

Beyond Borders Scotland is a not-for profit organisation, dedicated to facilitating dialogue and international cultural exchange.

30/07/2024

Special Offer for hires tomorrow at St Mary's Loch.

24/07/2024

Guided Evening Walk in Ettrick this Friday, 6pm

This Friday leaving from the car park outside Beehive cafe.

17/07/2024

Bowhill House & Grounds is our local go-too for walks and entertaining children outdoors. This summer they also have the lovely Restoration Yard pop-up store in the Victorian kitchen, just off the courtyard...

If you have visited recently, you may have noticed a few changes on entrance drive, these continue, but we are excited to share a bit more information with you!
The biggest change is that there are now three ways to enjoy Bowhill:

1. Bowhill Grounds and the Adventure Playground – Enjoy the much-loved adventure playground at Bowhill and the historically designed landscape from the House car park. Entrance includes the popular Loch’s Walk, Bell O’ the Woods, and the new Dandie Dinmont inspired walk - Old Pepper’s Trail. Through the summer months, visitors can also sign up for ranger-led activities and enjoy the courtyard attractions, including the Old Kitchen Café, Victorian Kitchen (currently pop-up shop), Exhibition*, and Courtyard Gallery*. Season Pass holders can now also park in the car parks and enjoy the walks ALL YEAR ROUND**
Entry per person applies.
*dates vary. ** please note no other facilities will be available

2. Wider Borders Estate - Enjoy the less formal surroundings of the Borders Estate, where Bowhill House is located, from the new General’s Bridge Car Park on the way into Bowhill. Walks include the Lady’s Walk and Duchess’ Drive.
£3 Car park charge applies.

3. Bowhill House and Grounds – following this year’s closure for essential maintenance, the House will be open on selected dates throughout 2025 and onwards and will include a guided tour of the main rooms of Bowhill with a knowledgeable guide, and access to the private gardens on the terrace of Bowhill and the wider Grounds. Private tours are also bookable throughout the year (from 2025). Entry per person applies

Another big change is that the season pass has become an annual pass. Although the opening times of the adventure playground, horsebox and courtyard attractions will remain the same, the walks around Bowhill will be accessible all year round for pass holders, letting you enjoy the beautiful scenes in Autumn, Winter and Spring!

12/07/2024

Selkirk's authentic Thai restaurant, sit in or take away...

04/07/2024

If you're walking in the Ettrick Marshes or visiting the James Hogg Exhibition, the Beehive SHOP and CAFE is open 10am-3pm every day through the summer. Breakfast, coffee, cakes and light lunches. You will find it at the entrance to Honey Cottage Caravan Park.

01/07/2024

A useful guide for the Cyclists... https://www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/10-classic-bike-routes

With so much of the area linked by either off-road trails or quiet back roads, leaving the car behind and exploring on two wheels couldn’t be easier.

27/06/2024

Live Music in Cross Keys Inn Ettrickbridge this weekend..

Live music from the very talented Ettrickbridge local musicians - this Saturday evening from about 8.30pm 🪗🎻🪘🪈

Everyone welcome!

21/05/2024

Borders Book Festival / 13-16 June, 2024
Coming soon with a super programme of author events and family fun for 2024. Food, drink and local artisan makers market...

Theheartlandmarket

Join us for four fabulous days of talks, comedy, live music, food & drink, and much, much more…

19/05/2024

E-bikes to hire for exploring the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys.

Explore in the sunshine this weekend on our electric bikes available for hire at Ettrick School opposite the Boston Hall. £20 for up to 4 hours, helmet supplied. 6 bikes available, comfort saddles and front suspension. 14 and over only. Msg or call 07483404663 to book

16/05/2024

Traquair House Medieval Fair is next weekend! See below for details.

We cannot believe our favourite weekend of the year is almost upon us already!

Traquair Medieval Fayre is set to be a fun-filled weekend of jousting, battles, falconry and so much more. Step back in time as you enter the Walled Garden into a Medieval village with living history camps and stalls selling historic goods, crafts, and meads.

Enjoy demonstrations from Elite Falconry , Think Circus Medieval Acrobats, and the ever-fabulous jousting from Les Amis Stunt Team

We have lots of delicious food options from the Old Walled Garden Café, BBQ in the garden, hog roast, wood-fired pizzas, haggis box, coffee and cakes, and crepes & ice cream; there is something for all!

Our Fayre Ale, brewed specially for the weekend, will also be available from the beer tent in the garden.

There is so much more to see and do that we can't possibly fit in one post! View the full programme online for everything on over the weekend. www.traquair.co.uk/event/traquair-medieval-fayre-weekend/

Tickets available online: www.traquair.co.uk/book-tickets/

Catering: Wood Oven Wonders The Haggis Box Loulabelle's Sweet Treats With a cherry on top Traquair House Brewery

01/05/2024

"The Upper Tweed valley may be the UK’s hottest UK river destination this summer, but it helps that the new canoe trail is manageable for first-time, have-a-go paddlers, as well as those who fancy more of a challenge, on its Grade 2 rapids. The trail has been divided into six bite-size sections between Stobo and Tweedbank, ranging from two to eight miles."
Get in touch with Audrey at Kayak and SUP Hire and Sales Scottish Borders for any equipment hire during your stay!

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/may/01/its-not-the-zambezi-but-the-tweed-has-its-moments-canoeing-in-the-scottish-borders

A 30-mile route has opened up along this spectacular river that’s great for beginners but has challenges for more experienced paddlers too

25/04/2024

This bank holiday Monday, 6th May, you can learn all about and help record the biodiversity at local estate, Bowhill.

Guiding and sharing their expertise on the day are:
- Scottish Borders Fungus Group
- Central Borders Red Squirrel Network
- South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project
- Go Wild Scotland
- Scottish Borders Pine Marten Group
- Scottish Badgers
- Scottish Ornithology Club

Further details on the link below.

https://www.bowhillhouse.co.uk/event/bioblitz-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2IineILGMvQE8R0I2-vQq78yU7jUi98iFtCXJyc5Z8VxWQWcNIAoRwGsg_aem_AeDqoWGmJje_gAtQk-l7y9ufAIduhf3CMG8xpQqkcbrkbA2yvHKq1gQlqN9aUQG3lhC4Yz2b6FBE8l3qkf-2lprd Bowhill House & Grounds

Join us at on May 6th to discover the incredible biodiversity of the Borders Estate for the first ever Bowhill Bioblitz.

19/04/2024

Congratulations Cross Keys Inn Ettrickbridge !

We're sharing some happy cheer this grey morning as we've been named Scottish Borders Pub of the Year 2024 by the National Pub & Bar Awards 🏆

This award really is testament to the hard work each and every one of our team puts in to make the Cross Keys Inn a success - and we wouldn't be where we are without the on-going support from our local community, suppliers and guests - thank you 🙏

We're thrilled to be recognised by in this way - and look forward to the National Grand Final in June!

10/04/2024

Scotland Off the Beaten Track focusing on one of our local towns, Melrose....

19/03/2024

I never knew the story behind nearby Tamlane's Well... Thank you Bowhill House & Grounds for sharing!

"Legend has it that long ago, Tamlane (the son of Randolph, Earl of Moray) was whisked away by the Queen of the Fairies and made guardian of Carterhaugh's woods. Tamlane fell deeply in love with a spirited maiden, Janet, but the Fairy Queen sought to sacrifice Tamlane on Halloween.
Janet, refusing to lose her love, clung to him fiercely as the fairies attempted to transform him into various creatures. Her steadfast grip prevailed and Tamlane was returned to human form, safe in Janet's embrace..."

Have you ever spotted Tamlane's Well that sits on the roadside by Carterhaugh?

Legend has it that long ago, Tamlane (the son of Randolph, Earl of Moray) was whisked away by the Queen of the Fairies and made guardian of Carterhaugh's woods. Tamlane fell deeply in love with a spirited maiden, Janet, but the Fairy Queen sought to sacrifice Tamlane on Halloween.

Janet, refusing to lose her love, clung to him fiercely as the fairies attempted to transform him into various creatures. Her steadfast grip prevailed and Tamlane was returned to human form, safe in Janet's embrace...

11/01/2024

This January tasting menu is sure to be a delicious experience at The Gordon Arms Restaurant with Rooms

26/12/2023

Cross Keys Inn Ettrickbridge Current Opening Hours in the run up to Hogmanay!

17/11/2023

Timmy Mallett's tour of the Borders!

06/11/2023

Update to opening hours during November and December at our friendly local, the Cross Keys Inn Ettrickbridge

24/10/2023

We have had a very busy couple of months with fly-fishers enjoying the Ettrick Water. You can book direct with Bowhill House & Grounds for salmon fishing on the Ettrick.

Enjoy some fine fishing for salmon, grayling and trout where you'll find Loch's and the River Ettrick, a tributary of the famous River Tweed

06/10/2023

Priorwood and Harmony Gardens NTS Apple Weekend is on next week! See flier below for details
National Trust for Scotland

22/09/2023

Tomorrow's main ring line-up for the Country and food festival at Philiphaugh Estate outside Selkirk by The Waterwheel Cafe, Philiphaugh. Stalls, arts, cookery demos, food and drinks!

Get ready for an action-packed day at the festival's Main Ring! 🤩 Here's a sneak peek at the exciting lineup of events:

🥁 10:00 AM - Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band: Kick-start the festivities by piping us into the festival

🐾 10:30 AM - Joe Hipwell Sealpin Gundogs: Witness the incredible bond between man and dog as Joe shares some tips

🚴‍♂️ 11:00 AM - Savage Skills BMX Stunt Show: Hold your breath as these BMX daredevils perform jaw-dropping stunts that defy gravity.

🎣 11:45 AM - Charlie Brownlow Borders Fly Fishing: Discover the art of fly fishing with expert demonstration

💃 12:00 PM - Galashiels School of Highland Dancing: Enjoy the grace and precision of Highland dancing in a mesmerizing performance.

🎺 12:35 PM - Selkirk Silver Band: Let the soothing melodies of Selkirk Silver Band enchant your ears.

💪 1:00 PM - Tug of War: Join the thrill of the competition as teams test their strength in the ultimate test of tug of war.

🥁 1:40 PM - Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band The enchanting sounds of the pipes and drums return to the Main Ring.

🎣 2:00 PM - Charlie Brownlow Borders Fly Fishing: Dive deeper into the world of fly fishing with Charlie Brownlow's expertise.

🐕 2:30 PM - Dog Competitions: Cheer on our furry friends as they strut their stuff in exciting dog competitions.

🚴‍♂️ 3:15 PM - Savage Skills BMX Stunt Show: Brace yourself for more mind-blowing BMX tricks and stunts.

🦢 4:00 PM - Lauderdale Hunt: Experience the thrill of the hunt with the Lauderdale Hunt's display.

💃 4:15 PM - Galashiels School of Highland Dancing: Highland dancing returns to the stage for an encore performance.

🐾 4:50 PM - Joe Hipwell Sealpin Gundogs: Don't miss the final display of incredible gundog skills.

🥁 5:30 PM - Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band: Let the stirring tunes of the pipe band close out the day on a high note.

Get ready for a day filled with entertainment, talent, and excitement at the Festival Main Ring! What will you be watching?

08/09/2023

Sunset paddles on St Mary's Loch....

12/08/2023

The Gordon Arms Restaurant with Rooms enroute to Traquair House and Glentress. An ideal spot to have lunch or dinner.

Just to remind our restaurant is open an extra day tomorrow evening - Wednesday, the 9th - from 6pm onwards because of the local events 👍🙌🫶

🍽 Exciting news! Due to overwhelming demand, we're thrilled to announce that our beloved Yarrow Valley Venison Wellington, Borders Lamb Chop, and our delightful kitchen garden Rhubarb Crème Brûlée will continue to be star attractions on our menu this week. Your love for these dishes keeps them here to delight your taste buds! 🥂

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📍THE GORDON ARMS Restaurant with Rooms, Yarrow Valley, Selkirk, Scottish Borders, TD7 5LE

🛜 www.gordonarmsyarrow.co.uk 🍽️ 🛌

🍽️ Press “Reserve” button for a restaurant booking in the profile of our Instagram page

☎️ 01750 82261

📧[email protected]

📆Thursday - Sunday: rooms and restaurant lunch and dinner (except Sun eve). Open this Wednesday, 9th.

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