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20% discount on remaining stays between now and the end of April 2024 (1 night stay minimum).
Overview
With its fairytale turrets and red sandstone facade rising above the rich rolling landscape of the Borders countryside, the outstanding Maitland apartment located in the south wing of Thirlestane Castle is sure to leave its mark.
An elegant two bedroom apartment within an outstanding castle setting
Originally the laundry quarters of the castle, it has now been sensitively restored throughout and the result is an elegant two bedroom apartment within an outstanding castle setting where guests can truly experience 400 years of Scottish history.
A gentle palette of Farrow and Ball colours have been used in calming greens and greys, harmoniously balanced against the rich red stone of the castle walls. The plush sofas are deep and generous set around a feature fireplace with two outstanding artworks from the castle collections.
The dining space seats six comfortably but with an opportunity for guests to hire the State Rooms or rustic Victorian kitchen for an exclusive dining experience. For those who wish to cook, a stylish shaker style kitchen with sleek granite work surfaces and industrial accents is perfectly sized.
Across the hallway, an original Singer sewing machine gives a lovely nod to the apartment’s past life and the two beautifully appointed bedrooms are enhanced with warm throws and gentle swathes of colour.
This includes a master bedroom in a serene oval room blue and finishes by Ralph Lauren leading into a large en-suite shower room. A further twin room with adjacent bathroom can be configured to a super king for added flexibility.
The grand setting will be the highlight for many and a tour of the castle can be arranged at additional cost. Should you wish to go the extra mile, the castle can also arrange an exclusive private tour with a member of the Maitland family, as well as spa packages, flowers, and catering which can be tailored to your individual requirements (at additional cost).
For larger groups, the whole of the South Wing can be booked incorporating all five apartments at Thirlestane allowing up to sixteen people to stay at the castle. Guests who book the South Wing will also get exclusive use of the Victorian kitchen so the whole party can dine together.
Overall a unique experience where you can then retreat to your own private quarters in a 16th-Century castle and watch the glorious sunset over rolling Border parklands. A warm welcome awaits you!
Property details
Ground floor
The property 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.
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 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
Two 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, robes 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 Accommodation
For guests looking to holiday together, The Maitland Apartment can be booked alongside The Lauderdale, sleeping 2. Glenburnie, sleeping 2, The Sculleries sleeping 2 and The Earl & Countess sleeping 6. The South Wing is available for guests looking to book all five apartments. All apartments are located within Thirlestane Castle.
SHORT-TERM LETS LICENSING
Scottish short-term lets licence number: Pending
The current EPC rating for this property is band G, a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Location
In nearby Lauder 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. The Firebrick Bakery is wonderful with a selection of breads, cakes and pastries. 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, the Fire Brick Brasserie has a fantastic reputation winning the Best New Restaurant in the Scottish Borders Award 2015. Alternatively try the Black Bull Hotel or the Lauderdale Hotel for pub lunches or nearby Carfraemill Hotel for a juicy steak from local producers.
For gifts and lovely things, the Flat Cat Gallery, Made in Grey Britain 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
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
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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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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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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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
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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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
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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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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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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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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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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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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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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Reviews
"Loved the place, so quiet, historic and stunning. Lovely apartment, we’ll definitely be back."
Mr Taylor"We had a wonderful stay at Thirlestane Castle in August - made particularly special after months of lockdown. The communication around booking and travel arrangements was very clear and helpful, including special measures for Covid-19. The apartment was incredibly spacious and comfortable, with fantastic views over beautiful parkland. We had the added benefit that, since the castle is currently closed to the public, it almost felt like we had the castle to ourselves. We booked a small group tour of the castle on Monday morning, which was excellent, and again we felt rather like privileged guests as there was no-one else around. Lots to see and do in the local area - a beautiful part of the country, which we hadn't visited before. We would definitely recommend the experience to friends and look forward to booking again with Crabtree and Crabtree."
Ms Dickinson"The apartment was absolutely stunning, beautifully designed, comfortable, spacious and had everything we could have hoped for. Edward & Sarah made us feel really welcome whenever we bumped into them and Rhona was so helpful and friendly. All of the other castle staff that we encountered during our stay were really lovely and we hope to come back and sample the other apartments in the future."
Mrs Celeste & Family"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Apartment was very comfortable and well stocked. Tour round Castle was really interesting and the guides most welcoming and knowledgeable. Have no hesitation in recommending this property."
Mrs Glover"We have just had the best 4 days stay at Thirlestane castle this week, we just wanted to say thank you. We can always rely on Crabtree & Crabtree to provide the best cottages to enjoy a stay in. Hope to be back in the Borders soon."
Gray family"We had a lovely time staying in the Maitland Apartment in the castle. The furnishings were beautiful, and the entire apartment was incredibly clean and comfortable. We so enjoyed walking the grounds during the day and walking into town in the evening for dinner. The highlight of our trip was the private tour we received from a member of the castle team. He was a wealth of information about the history of the castle, and we thoroughly enjoyed his stories as well as seeing so many incredible antiques and family heirlooms. I have already shared with friends and family that this is a must stay when visiting Scotland. Thank you so much for helping us with this booking."
Mrs Holmes"I would certainly have no hesitation in returning to and recommending The Maitland apartment. Booking and arrival arrangements were seamless. We appreciated the fact that the Castle did not just meet STB requirements but aimed to make our stay most comfortable with extras in quality and provision."
Mrs Hunter"Absolutely excellent!! Loved our stay. Everyone we met was very welcoming and personable. Very very highly recommend to friends and family. Thank you for making it a seamless process. It is such a lovely place to stay."
Mr ThorpeAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome with a charge of £15 per dog.
- Typical arrival day: Friday during high season. Flexible out of high season.
- Arrival time: 4pm-9pm
- Departure time: 10am
"The original Singer sewing machine gives a lovely nod to the apartment’s past life."Emma, Crabtree & Crabtree
