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South Wing, Thirlestane Castle

Lauder, Scottish Borders

For sporting parties or larger groups, we are delighted to announce the launch of the South Wing which incorporates all five apartments at Thirlestane, allowing up to sixteen people to stay in a fantastic castle setting.

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South Wing, Thirlestane Castle

20% discount on remaining stays between now and the end of April 2024 (3 night stay minimum).

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Overview

For sporting parties or larger groups, we are delighted to announce the launch of the South Wing which incorporates all five apartments at Thirlestane, allowing up to sixteen people to stay in a fantastic castle setting.

Perfect pampering for larger parties and memorable celebrations

With three superb new apartments sitting alongside the existing Maitland and Lauderdale, the South Wing offers exclusive use for larger parties to experience a unique stay in exceptional surroundings.

Each offers guests the opportunity to enjoy their own private space while the former Victorian kitchen is a perfect spot for larger parties to dine and socialise together. Constructed in the 1840’s as part of the castle servant’s quarters, the immense cast iron Range was in full use until the end of the Second World War creating an atmospheric backdrop to a bygone era.

For complete indulgence, those staying at the South Wing also have the opportunity to hire a number of the stunning State reception rooms in the castle for a truly memorable stay, including the State dining room which is lined with one of the largest collections of family portraits in Scotland by renowned artists such as Romney, Scougall and Lely.

The accommodation reflects the rich history of the castle and its outstanding country setting:-

The Earl & Countess (sleeps 6) is an indulgent treat in the former private quarters of the 14th Earl & Countess of Lauderdale, used most recently as the castle nurseries. Intricate wall panels have dramatic impact in the open plan sitting room balanced with rich heritage colours and sumptuous velvet finishes.

Glenburnie (sleeps 2) takes its name from the moor which sits behind Thirlestane and the family owned racehorse which became European Eventing Champion, ridden by Olympic medallist Ian Stark. The bedroom is a blissful relaxation space and enjoys far reaching views across the castle parklands.

The Sculleries (sleeps 2) is a world removed from its former life servicing the castle kitchen, with a dream bedroom and an air of calm sophistication. This includes a small pantry kitchen for cosy catering for two and an ambient sitting room, beautifully revived in a rich earthy tone which is a perfect complement to the mellow tones of the grand castle exterior.

The Maitland (sleeps 4). Originally the laundry quarters of the castle, an original Singer sewing machine gives a lovely nod to the apartment’s past life, now sensitively restored to create an elegant two-bedroom apartment. A gentle palette of Farrow & Ball colours have been used to great effect in calming greens and blues with a serene master bedroom and finishes by Ralph Lauren.

The Lauderdale (sleeps 2) marries tartan accents and traditional detailing which plays on its Scottish heritage, including a sumptuous bed which makes a grand statement with cosy, characterful features.

For country sports enthusiasts, the estate own extensive areas of moorland and woodland and can offer grouse, pheasant and partridge shooting in season. Sitting just 35 miles south of Edinburgh, Thirlestane is within easy reach for a luxury break in peace perfect peace.

Award winning caterers can provide a range of menus to suit every occasion, and unique visitor experiences can be arranged to suit all parties such as clay shooting, fishing, history tours, whisky or gin tastings or even spa packages – all you have to do is ask.

Please note - our calendar only shows availability for the full South Wing comprising all 5 apartments. It may be possible to book fewer apartments for smaller groups. Please contact us to check availability.

Property details

Accommodation

The South Wing consists of five individual apartments within Thirlestane Castle as listed below.

The Earl & Countess - sleeps 6

Access into large hallway with hanging space.

Open plan sitting room/dining room and kitchen comprising:

Sitting room with double sofa, armchairs, dining space with seating for six, decorative fireplace, Smart TV. Windows overlooking the castle parklands.

Kitchen with integrated units, electric oven, induction hob, dishwasher, large fridge/freezer, microwave, selection of cookbooks.

Bedroom one with zip and link beds which can be adapted to 6' super king or 3' twin beds, side tables, large wardrobe with drawers, dressing table.

En-suite bathroom with bath and shower over (rainforest head) with separate hand held mixer, heated towel rail, double basins, heated towel rail, WC. Underfloor heating.

Bedroom two with 5'2" king size four-poster bed, side tables, in-built wardrobe with hanging space and drawers, dressing table, Roberts radio.

Family bathroom with bath and shower over (rainforest head) with separate mixer, heated towel rail, double basins and WC. Underfloor heating.

Bedroom three with 5'2" king size bed, side tables, small wardrobe, chest of drawers.

En-suite bathroom with shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC. Underfloor heating.

Glenburnie - sleeps 2

The apartment sits on the first floor accessed from the south wing courtyard.

Access into hallway.

Open plan sitting room/kitchen with large double sofa, armchair, Smart flatscreen TV, selection of books, views over the castle parklands. Kitchen with ceramic hob, oven, microwave, small dishwasher, selection of cook books. Dropleaf table for dining with seating for two.

Bedroom with zip and link beds which can be adapted to a 6' super king bed or 3' twin beds as required, side tables, wardrobe with hanging space, dressing table, Roberts DAB radio, decorative fireplace.

Bathroom - bath with shower over, underfloor heating, basin, heated towel rail, WC. 

The Sculleries - sleeps 2

The apartment sits on the first floor accessed from the south wing courtyard.

Access into hallway with hanging space.

Kitchen with 2 ring induction hob, fridge with icebox, integrated microwave, small breakfast bar with two stools. Please note there is no dishwasher, oven or washing facilities.

Sitting room with double sofa, Smart flatscreen TV, selection of books.

Bedroom with 6' super king bed, side tables, Roberts DAB radio, large wardrobe with hanging and drawer space, views overlooking the lawned garden.

Bathroom with roll top bath, separate shower unit with rainforest head and separate mixer, underfloor heating, double basins, heated towel rail. Original working shutters.

The Maitland - sleeps 4

The Maitland sits on the first floor on the south wing of the castle. The apartment is accessed via a separate cobbled courtyard with stone steps.

Access into a large hallway with hanging rail and space for outdoor wear.

Open plan living/kitchen/dining area comprising:

Sitting room with two large sofas, feature fireplace, armchair, flat screen TV with integrated DVD player.

Kitchen with large island unit and integrated electrical appliances - ceramic hob, electric oven, microwave, large fridge/freezer. Please note there is no washing machine or dryer in the apartment. Please contact us if this is essential to your stay and we will establish if any provision can be made.

Dining space with seating for six guests.

Bedroom one with king size bed, side tables, built-in wardrobe with hanging and storage space.

En-suite bathroom with large walk in shower with rainforest head and separate handheld mixer, heated towel rail, double basins and WC.

Bedroom two with zip and link system which can be configured to a 6' super king or 3' twin beds, side tables. There is a cupboard with hanging and storage space in the hall.

Family bathroom with bath with shower over and handheld shower mixer, basin and WC.

The Lauderdale - sleeps 2

The Lauderdale is located within the castle's south wing and has private access through a courtyard up to the first floor.

Open-plan sitting room/kitchen:

Spacious sitting room with three seater sofa and two armchairs, TV and Freeview.

Kitchen with single electric oven with 4 ring hob, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. Small dining table and chairs for two guests

Bedroom with 5' king size bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, dressing table, clock radio and docking station. 

Bathroom with original clawfoot bath, walk in shower, twin basin and WC.

Outside

Guests have use of the magnificent castle grounds (with the exception of the family's private garden) and the wider estate grounds including fabulous woodland and parkland walks.

During the periods that the castle is closed to the public, guests also have use of the courtyard area which is shared with all apartments. There is bench seating in the courtyard area and picnic benches in the play park area, woodlands and wider grounds.

Parking

There is private parking available to the front of the castle.

Electric Vehicle Charging

Electric vehicle chargers are available on-site, located in the main guest carpark (a 2 minute walk from the apartments).

There is an additional fee to use these facilities which is set by the estate and paid directly to them once on site.

For safety reasons, please only use the dedicated charger for car charging at this property. Discover alternative electric vehicle charging points here.

Babies & Children

A travel cot and highchair are available on request.

Dogs

All apartments with the exception of The Lauderdale are dog friendly. Dogs are welcome with a charge of £15 per dog. Dogs must be clean and dry before access into the wider property, should be kept off the furniture and are not permitted in the bedrooms. It is important to note that there is no private enclosed garden space and dogs must be kept on a lead in the immediate grounds and across wider farmland.

Guest amenities

The bedrooms feature high quality bed linen. A hairdryer is supplied in each bedroom. Towels and guest toiletries are provided.

Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage

Wi-Fi is available. Mobile signal is best on the 02 and EE network. This improves outside in the grounds.

Heating

Heating throughout the property which is thermostatically controlled.

Thirlestane Castle - guest privacy

Thirlestane Castle is open to the public Sunday - Thursday from the beginning of May to the end September. This includes a number of key events where the wider grounds do get busy. Guests looking for complete privacy during the day would therefore be advised to book outside the castle opening periods. Please contact us should you require further information.

Additional

The calendar only shows availability for the full South Wing comprising all 5 apartments. It may be possible to book fewer apartments for smaller groups. Please contact us for further availability.

SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING

Scottish short-term lets licence number: Pending

The current EPC rating and a copy of the certificate can be found on the individual property listings - The Earl & Countess, The Sculleries, The Maitland, The Lauderdale.

Location

In nearby Lauder (1 mile) guests will find a good range of amenities including the Flat Cat Gallery & Coffee shop or the Spotty Dog Deli and Café in Market Place. There's also a butchers shop and a bakery, along with a small Co-op supermarket on the edge of the village.

For eating out, try the Black Bull Hotel or the Lauderdale Hotel for pub lunches or nearby Carfraemill Hotel (3 miles) for a juicy steak from local producers.

For gifts and lovely things, the Flat Cat Gallery and Powder Grey are both super stops for a browse.

Activities

A stay in the ancient grandeur of Thirlestane Castle, one of the seven ‘Great Houses of Scotland’, is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression but its location in the heart of lowland Scotland - an area steeped in heritage, culture and outstanding scenery will ensure your visit is truly memorable. Our region has an incredibly rich and turbulent history and its legacy is a landscape of magnificent castles, grand stately homes and the fragments of ruined abbeys and fortifications scattered right across the area.

Spend time in our castles and walk the paths and corridors of noble aristocracy and heads of state, explore the legend of King Arthur and Merlin, William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scots; or retrace your ancestors at the Heritage Hub and possibly even discover distant connections to eminent clans and peerage!

Admire the exquisite architecture, decorative detailing and superb art collection of nearby Mellerstain; explore the sumptuous state rooms and incredible silver staircase of Manderston; or marvel at the splendour of Floors Castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe with its priceless collection of fine art, porcelain and tapestries. Abbotsford sits at the heart of the landscape that inspired the poetry and writings of Sir Walter Scott, while the outstanding monastic ruins of the nearby Abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Jedburgh and Kelso will give you an insight into the area’s tumultuous past.

For lovers of Scottish cashmere and knitwear, the ‘Textile Trail’ is an absolute must, offering a fascinating insight into our industrial heritage, but encompassing visitor centres and retail outlets where you can pick-up some wonderful garments and unique sample pieces - everything from exceptional tweeds to finest cashmere. For something truly exclusive you can even design your own tartan at Lochcarron of Scotland and take home a very special reminder of your Scottish connections.

The magnificent city of Edinburgh is but a thirty minute drive from Thirlestane where you can explore the fascinating architecture of the old town and soak-up the culture and heritage of this beautiful vibrant city. Wander the cobbled closes and narrow stairwells of the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, or take a candle-lit tour of the underground vaults of the old city and uncover sinister tales of Edinburgh’s darker past!

On a lighter note, why not partake in a wee dram at the Scotch Whisky Centre or perhaps join an expert-led whisky tasting session where you will learn more about the intricate flavours of this most distinguished of drinks. Learn how to look, swirl, nose and taste fine whisky and to appreciate the distinct differences between single malts, blended and grain.

Finally, a visit to iconic Edinburgh Castle which sits majestically over the city and houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, 15th Century gun Mons Meg, and the National War Museum of Scotland. And if you’re lucky enough to be in the city in August, don’t miss the Edinburgh Military Tattoo ending with a poignant lone piper lament high on the castle ramparts. Truly spectacular!

 

C&C experiences

C&C experiences

We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.

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Historic houses and castles

Historic houses and castles

With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.

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Walking

Walking

From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.

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Wildlife

Wildlife

Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.

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Golf

Golf

There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.

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Fishing

Fishing

Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.

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Children and families

Children and families

Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.

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Cycling & mountain biking

Cycling & mountain biking

Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.

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Shooting

Shooting

For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.

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Adventure Sports

Adventure Sports

If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.

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Ancestral history research

Ancestral history research

Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.

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Services

Beauty and spa treatments

Beauty and spa treatments

Everyone needs some pampering, whatever the occasion.

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Holiday photography

Holiday photography

Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.

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Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers

Fresh cut flowers delivered to your holiday home.

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Wine delivery

Wine delivery

Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.

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Dog sitting

Dog sitting

Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.

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Additional housekeeping

Additional housekeeping

Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.

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Cooks and chefs

Cooks and chefs

Make your stay hassle-free with your own personal cook

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Reviews

Availability

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Location Within Thirlestane Castle, near Lauder
Dogs
  • Three dogs are welcome.
Exclusive use
  • All five apartments available for group bookings, with opportunity to hire additional reception rooms and add on catering packages to suit your requirements.
Arrival / Departure
  • Typical arrival day: Flexible
  • Arrival time: 4pm-9pm
  • Departure time: 10am
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Historic dining kitchen in Thirlestane Castle Scottish Borders
The little things we love....
"An unforgettable dining experience in the Victorian kitchen which will take you back to a by-gone era."
Sue, Crabtree & Crabtree
email us or give us a call on 01573 226711 for details.

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