Courtyard Cottage Kelso, Scottish Borders

I booked this cottage based on the description of it being isolated, only to find out a week before our holiday started, that in actual fact, the owner lives right next door to the holiday cottage. This information is not stated in the description anywhere. Had I known, I wouldn't have booked it at all. I have booked countless holiday cottages with various booking sites in the past. Not once have I had to have a 'Meet & Greet' with the owner. The key code is normally sent via email a few days pre-holiday start date , you simply turn up, put the code in, job done. After all, there is always a handy information book somewhere - should you need it. Having said this, the owner living next door wouldn't normally bother me IF we were left alone. Let's just say that the lengthy 'Meet & Greet' felt uncomfortably awkward... Indeed, having just pulled up outside, the owner seemingly appeared from nowhere, and we were immediately told to move our camper van in case her husband needed to park his car in the garage (adjoining the holiday property.) Then we were asked where our son was, and if he was getting out the van. We'd literally just pulled up! Maybe he was asleep? Maybe he didn't want to get out at that exact moment? Perhaps she thought we were hiding a few other people in there? Back to the farcial 'Meet & Greet, and let me assure you, no stone was left unturned as the owner ascertained we knew EXACTLY what was expected of us. After the owner had completed her award-winning spiel, we cautiously entered the property, feeling slightly miffed, and highly cautious - should we dislodge a fibre on the new beige carpet, or our little dog decided to jump on to the new sofa, or much worse, enter a bedroom! The cottage itself is lovely. Credit where credit is due - it's absolutely spotless. It's definitely the most well equipped cottage we have stayed in. Unfortunately, this doesn't end here. The owner popped up another THREE times during our stay. The first time (to be fair) was to warn us that the local farmers were shooting the birds in the fields as they had planted new crops. Okay, no one wants to be shot on holiday... The second time we had left the radiators on in the games room - the same games room we thought was for our exclusive use during our stay (also adjoining the holiday property, externally.) It didn't say in the holiday description that the owner and her tennis buddies may enter it at will if rain ruins their game. Wonder what would have happened if we had actually been in the games room at the time. Would we have been expected to vacate it? By the third visit, we were feeling very tired of our lack of privacy. We just wanted to be left alone to enjoy our 'isolated' holiday. Oh, and I should also mention there is no curtain hanging behind the glass-paned front door. The owners go back and forth to their garage for various reasons and can see straight in! Indeed, within minutes of our departure (carefully planned and executed escape, not on departure day), we got a text. The owner must have literally been looking through the door/windows to have known we had left! Sorry, but I won't be coming back, and in the future, I will make careful enquiries about the holiday cottages we pay hard-earned money for.

Thoroughly enjoyed the solitude and quietness of the cottage in amazing surroundings.. And not too far from a shop or pub! Great location to travel and explore the Border towns. The cottage was wonderfully furnished and equipped - not to mention the high standard of cleanliness and attention to suitable measures to prevent Covid transmission. No hesitation in recommending Courtyard Cottage as a place to stay.

Very comfortable cottage with everything you'll need for a enjoyable stay.. Fantastic games room, which all the family enjoyed. Cottage is situated in a beautiful area of the country, comprising of The Borders and Northumberland. Plenty of things to see and do in the locality. Very welcoming and helpful hosts.

We had a lovely week at courtyard cottage, the boys enjoyed the play room.. The cottage was a great base for walking and exploring the Scottish borders

This is a super holiday cottage for a peaceful getaway with excellent facilities and surroundings.. The cottage has everything for a comfortable stay and dining-in, while the games room is really top class. Our dog enjoyed the freedom of the enclosed field and the company of the resident labradors ! The hosts, Jane and Jamie, are extremely friendly and happy to help with any queries. Highly recommended.

Lovely stay at this amazing cottage in a great location.. The owners managed to follow all the new COVID rules while still providing us everything we needed and more for our stay here. The tennis court and games room were an amazing bonus and very well maintained. The general location has so many good walks and places to visit. Would highly recommend and will definitely be staying again.

Yet another good cottage we have been to, clean, quiet and relaxing countryside to enjoy..

Fantastic holiday and couldn't believe how lovely and spacious the cottage was.. Both inside and outside was just perfect. The views and peaceful setting was perfect too. Will definitely be wanting to return to explore more of Scotland.

Our hosts, Jane and Jamie, made us feel very welcome.. We saw them around in an unobtrusive way, but when we needed anything, they responded quickly and efficiently to our request of a new light bulb. The games room was great and we made full use of it. The cottage itself was very comfortable, spotlessly clean and had everything we needed (except a pizza wheel!!!) The main bedroom was a good size with stunning views of the Cheviots in the distance. We would certainly recommend this cottage.

Owners very friendly and there if you need them, which we never did.. Great cottage with everything that you would ever need for a cottage holiday, games room was excellent, you will need a car to get around but for nice quiet days there are walks on your doorstep. We will be returning. Thank you.

Excellent facilities at Courtyard cottage, very large enclosed field with a tennis court, indoor pool table and table tennis, ideal for families and our Labrador loved the space and freedom.. Also lovely quiet walks around the country lanes made for a very peaceful and relaxing holiday.

We have just returned from a week in this comfortable cottage with probably the most amazing views we've ever had at a holiday home. The owners have taken a lot of effort to make the bungalow as comfortable as possible (great beds, with good quality linen and towels). The kitchen has everything you need and the lounge is so cosy with an open fire. You could just sit and look at the view all day. The games room is a fab addition. Great walking and the 2 acre paddock next to the cottage is great for exercising your dog. Duns is 10 mins in the car and about 30 mins to the coast or inland to Melrose. I thoroughly recommend this place to stay if you want a rural location but not far in the car for places to see.

An amazing relaxing holiday, cottage lovely cosy & clean.. Was great to have the games room went down well with my twin boys. Lexi the yorkie loved her walks around the massive field she didn't take too well to the owners lovely labs tho.... Just a grumpy female! Weather was fantastic so got in a few games of tennis, the court was another added bonus. Would recommend using or having a Sat Nav for all the back country roads as not very well signed post and ended up in many different places. Felt totally chilled after a week, lazy days, and long lies....beds were extra comfy. Excellent owners there if we needed them and were very good in walking their dogs at different times to avoid our grumpy, yappy Yorkie. Overall a great place to stay lots of places within easy reach to visit, and the cottage had everything we needed. Certainly will return in the near future.

They Used to sing 'Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag', Well a Week's Stay here You can do it with Your Suitcase.. Pull back the curtains in the morning and relax.The view is fantastic and the Accommodation second to none.With Playroom and Tennis Court You Can Stay and relax or Like Us use it as a base to tour some of the best Countryside in the UK (Call at St. Abbs and find what must be the cleanest Sea Water in the Country) and Jane Andrew is a Brilliant host, There if you need Her and leaves You alone If You don't. Brilliant Week and already looking forward to going back.

Booked a short break for school holidays.. Wished it could have been longer. The cottage was great, very clean and comfortable. Very well equipped with all you could need. Nice and accommodating owners available for advice and ensure you have everything you need. Lovely open space for children and dog. The games room is well equipped and enjoyed by all. Good base to enjoy trips to local areas. Would certainly return and try in warmer months!

We had a lovely week at this peaceful relaxing cottage.. Owners were friendly, and helpful. Cottage was a delight, with everything you need to make your holiday complete

Lovely cottage and very homely.. Good extra facilities for dogs and families , in addition to the house itself being roomy and comfy. In a geat location, with superb relaxing views all around. Within easy distance of towns, villages etc for days out and shopping, restaurants, but far enough away for peace and quiet. Nearest pub, Blackadder, in Greenlaw, very recommended. Jane & Jaimie nice and friendly, without being intrusive. Nothing to fault, which is always a bonus......... Looking forward to coming back in Summertime ....! Thanks !

Super cottage with so many facilities.. Best equipped accommodation I have ever been to. Games room fab and the secure field was fantastic for the dog. Can't wait to go back

There were more facilities than normal eg games room and tennis court.. Very comfortable cottage.the owners were very nice and always available for help if needed

A fantastic cottage in a lovely setting, the view from the lounge and bedroom windows were great.. Our two Grandsons really enjoyed the games room and the field at the side of the tennis court for playing football. Our dog Kandi enjoyed her walks around the fields and the freedom she had. The cottage was very well equipped and very comfy. The owners made us feel very welcome. We would certainly book another holiday in their cottage, we can't rate it highly enough.

This was a well equipped cottage and had everything to hand for an enjoyable holiday.. The games room is certainly a bonus for keeping the children occupied on a wet and dreary day. The owners were very obliging and attentive to me. I wanted a relaxing and chilled holiday and that is exactly what I got

The hosts were very friendly and helpful, the fact that they were just next door was great if you had any queries or problems.. The property was lovely and clean, had everything that you could need and was very cosy. Ideal location for Kelso, Berwick upon Tweed and Edinburgh and not to far from the coast. It was great we had a lovely time.

The cottage was very comfortable but it was the other extras that took it to another level - the games room, the tennis court and the on-the-doorstep field for dog walking.. The other benefit was that it is located in such a great position - Holy Island, Berwick on Tweed, St Abb's Head, Kelso, Jedburgh, and Kirk Yetholm plus a brock, two iron age forts and a variety of castles and ruined abbeys all within a 45 minute trip through pleasant countryside. We strongly expect to return.