Aikwood Tower

ID: S59549

  • Bedrooms 5
  • ・ Sleeps 10
  • ・ Pets Yes

About this property

Aikwood Tower is different than most castles and country houses in Scotland. Its charm lies in its intimacy. Entering via the walled garden and west door, guests will see Aikwood Tower’s endearing quirks of architecture and craftsmanship, as the Kerry-handed (left turning) spiral staircase lies before them. 

The Great Hall, with a roaring fire and luxurious furnishings, provides a comfortable and informal atmosphere for guests to relax. Meal time conversations swirl around the vaulted ceiling of the dining room and kitchen. A small reading study with panelled ceiling offers tranquillity and a peaceful space to read.

A good night's rest is important, so all Aikwood Tower bedrooms have Duxiana beds, the most technologically advanced sleep system in the world.  There are four double bedrooms in the main tower, with the Master Bedroom as the highlight, and a fifth in the extending byre.

The lower floor of the open-plan byre provides ample function space for small wedding receptions, business meetings, celebratory dinners and other activities.  The upper floor is where modern-day conveniences can be found: TV, DVD player, and business facilities with relaxing lounge seating. Complimentary internet access is available throughout Aikwood Tower.

The southwest facing walled garden is a true delight. Whether soaking up the sun on the terrace, playing croquet on the lawn or picking apples from the orchards trees, the garden is a magical place to enjoy. It is also a secure environment for little ones to experience camping out under the stars.

Aikwood Tower is located 40 miles south of Edinburgh in the heart of the Ettrick Forest and offers some of the finest shooting and fishing in Scotland, among many other leisure activities.

Aikwood Tower is truly blessed by its location. With Shooting Times regularly listing the neighbouring Bowhill Estate pheasant shoot as one of the country’s Top 10, and the River Tweed with its legendary salmon fishing flowing nearby, country sports enthusiasts will be in their element.

The rolling hills and woodland trails of the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys are perfect for walking, mountain biking or horse riding, and their rivers are ideal for kayaking. Maps and suggested trails are available to help guests navigate around the countryside, as are local guides who can point out the rich diversity of flora, fauna and wildlife, including the majestic ospreys that have recently returned to the region.

Just 30 minutes away is the mountain biking Mecca of Glentress Forest, the UK's leading mountain biking centre with its wide variety of trails and challenging downhill runs.

The fantastic championship golf courses of Roxburghe, a woodland course, and Cardrona, a woodland/parkland course, are both nearby. Tennis courts are just a 5 minute drive away as well.

If guests want a personal yoga session or soothing massage to ease away the day's exertions, local practitioners are available to come to Aikwood Tower and can be arranged if required.

Rich and varied in its history and culture, the Scottish borders have much to explore, from Melrose Abbey to Samye Ling Bhuddist temple and the local towns' summer common festivities, from riding to rugby tournaments. With Edinburgh just an hour drive away, a large array of city delights is within easy striking distance.

Accommodation

Ground Floor
- Entrance hall with vaulted ceilings and original doors
- Hall with table tennis table and doors to garden
- Fully-equipped kitchen with AGA, microwave, two fridges and Nespresso machine
- Dining area with dining facilities for 10
- Spear room with a single bed
- Cloakroom
First Floor (accessed via spiral staircase)
- Gallery living room with fire place
- Living area with sofas and TV
- Reception room with laptop
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower

Second Floor (accessed via separate staircase)
- Bathroom with bathtub
- Bedroom with double bed and fire place

Third Floor (accessed via separate staircase)
- Small tea area with all facilites
- Shower room
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower
Top Floor (accessed via separate staircase)
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with bathtub
Exterior Grounds
- Enclosed southwest facing walled garden
- Terrace
- Dining facilities
- Croquet lawn
- Orchard
- Portable barbecue
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi connection
- TV & DVD
- Ping pong table
- Selection of books
- Towels, bathrobes & slippers are provided for each guest
- Hairdryer in each bedroom
- Travel cot & highchair available on request basis at time of booking
- Plenty of parking
*Please ensure that you request whether you would like the bedrooms set up as twins or super-king doubles at time of booking to ensure that they are set up correctly for your arrival.
*Two additional single beds with full linen are available for an additional charge of £55 per bed, per night raising capacity to 12. Please request at time of booking.

Nearby points of interest

  • Haining Loch
  • Halliwell's House Museum
  • Hawick Museum
  • Borders Distillery
  • Borders Textile Towerhouse
  • Ridelines Mountain Biking
  • John Buchan Story Museum
  • Abbotsford
  • Smailholm Tower

Reviews (7)

  • Nigel

    Stayed at Aikwood Tower for a couple of days to celebrate a birthday with friends. Forget any idea of cold, damp or threadbare! This is a beautifully restored, high spec, luxuriously warm, spacious, delightful escape in the "wilderness" of the Scottish borders. Plenty to do in the surrounding area - walks, houses and gardens to visit, eatieries, or simply chilling out. Plus an interesting history, both from the days of the border raiding parties and more recently as the life long down time project of Sir David Steele and his family. Thoroughly recommend it!

  • Robin

    Our group had been planning a castle stay in the UK for around 10 years, and Aikwood did not in any way disappoint. This place is more amazing than any picture can describe, and Vicki and her family have done an beautiful job on it. We recommend lawn Jenga to anyone visiting the castle. We spent most of our time in the great hall, as it was so warm and inviting, and our family is always cooking something or other. The lounge areas are large and comfortable, rooms were clean and luxurious, and the bath tubs were the best bath tubs I have ever bathed within. If you want to pretend you live in a fairy tale, Aikwood tower is the place to make believe.

  • Scott

    We got married here a couple of weeks ago. Aikwood Tower is a beautiful and unique locational to get married. Not only that - Vicki was so wonderful to work with and she worked so hard to make sure we were able to get what we wanted and for our wedding day to run smoothly. I had a stress-free wedding day as a result and an enjoyable stay at Aikwood. We had one of the best weekends of our lives and our friends kept saying to us how it was one of the best weddings they had ever been to. We were able to have a wedding that was bespoke and so personal and Aikwood will always be special to us. We can't thank Vicki enough and hope we can stay again!

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