Local Area

Visit Melrose in The Scottish Borders

Melrose in the Borders is the best place to live in Scotland according to The Sunday Times annual survey, which was published (18th March 2018). Everyone always seems to be in a good mood. The shopkeepers have time for  you and people will stop in the street for a chat.

A Melrose Day Out ~ Recommended by Michael

A forty-minute drive via Kelso and onwards to the Eildon Hills, the most distinctive single landmark in the Scottish Borders. At their feet in the valley of the River Tweed lies the small market town of Melrose, a former “ Tourism Town of the Year” and the birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens.

Arriving in Melrose by mid-morning will give you ample time to explore all the interesting individual shops that make up the town, from giftware to fashion, design and antiques …

Don’t miss a look round our shops “ Michael Vee Design ” and “ V2 the Eclectic Mix ” where we source a fabulous range of exciting giftware, lighting and accessories. We are the region’s largest suppliers of fabrics and wallpapers, and carry out design commissions throughout the country. We are also dealers in Decorative, French, Georgian and Architectural Antiques.

Afterwards, you can enjoy lunch or a light snack at one of Melrose’s restaurants or tea rooms- we can recommend Burts or the Townhouse Hotel which are both in the Square.

In the afternoon, why not have a leisurely visit to Abbotsford House, the home of novelist Sir Walter Scott. There’s also Melrose Abbey, which dates from 1136, and is the burial place of the heart of Robert the Bruce – and don’t miss nearby Harmony Gardens before returning to Butterlaw for a well-earned rest

Scottish Borders or the Northumberland Coast?

Butterlaw offers the “Best of Both”

Being nestled only 15 minutes east of Kelso and 20 minutes west of Berwick-upon-Tweed and the Northumbrian coast, surely makes Butterlaw the ideal location for the “Best of Both” areas…

The Scottish Borders – there are so many places to explore

The Abbeys and Stately Homes

Mellerstain – Recommended by Michael

One of Britain’s best stately homes and an example of Robert Adam’s finest work, the interior decoration at Mellerstain is simply stunning. The library ceiling is considered to be one of his masterpieces.

Last year some dry rot was detected in the Drawing room and the Manchineel room, originally designed as the principal bedroom. After the remedial work, we were appointed to reinstate the decoration of these rooms. The Drawing Room’s walls were in a silk damask material which we had to remove prior to us painting, then Peter our head upholsterer had to interline and reupholster the walls with a new Silk damask material woven by the Gainsborough Silk company.

The Manchineel room also had to be totally redecorated by our painters and an archive wallpaper by Farrow and Ball was used.

After Breakfast head to Mellerstain via Kelso where you can stop for an hour or so. Arrive at Mellerstain around midday and enjoy the tour of the house after which you can visit the Hoebridge café on site for a light lunch or just a cake and tea. Everything is home-baked and wonderful. Remember to allow yourself some time to walk off lunch in the formal grounds before leaving.

Also…

Berwick and Northumberland