Entire home
Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16
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Popular amenities
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Pet-friendly
- Breakfast available
- Parking available
- Fireplace
Explore the area
Galashiels
- Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter ScottPlace, Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott1 min walk
- Waverley LinePlace, Waverley Line2 min drive
- Dryburgh AbbeyPlace, Dryburgh Abbey16 min drive
Room options
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16
Set within an historic estate in the Scottish Borders, Scholar’s Retreat offers a rare opportunity to stay within one of Scotland’s most significant literary homes. Once part of Sir Walter Scott’s private residence and later home to his granddaughter, the house balances heritage features with the comfort expected of a high-end group stay.
Sleeping up to 14 adults and two children across eight individually designed bedrooms, the property is well suited to multi-generational families, celebrations, or corporate gatherings. Spacious reception rooms provide room to come together, whether for long dinners overlooking the River Tweed or evenings spent in the drawing room or billiards room.
Guests have access to private outdoor areas, including a courtyard and patio garden, along with the wider Estate grounds. A wide range of bookable experiences can also be arranged in advance, from private dinners in Sir Walter Scott’s dining room and guided tours of the house to whisky tastings, fishing trips, Highland games, immersive murder mystery experiences, and live entertainment. With so much available, your stay can be shaped around your group, with as much or as little planned as you like.
This is a stay defined by character, ideal for those looking for more than a standard countryside house.
Features:
Lower Ground Floor
- Billiards room- Fully equipped kitchen / breakfast room- Boot room- Laundry room- WC- Prep kitchen
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall- Reception room- Dining room- Sitting room- Library- WC- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
First Floor
- Bedroom with four poster bed and Jack & Jill bathroom (shared with twin bedroom)- Bedroom with twin beds and Jack & Jill bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Deluxe suite with sitting room, bedroom with queen sized bed and ensuite bathroom- Lift between ground and first floor
Exterior Grounds
- Private courtyard garden- Patio area with outdoor seating- Access to the wider Estate grounds- Lawn space suitable for garden games
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi- Billiards table- Laundry facilities- Parking on site
Location:
Scholar's Retreat is located in the Scottish Borders, at Abbotsford, the Borders’ biggest attraction and most significant historic site. Sitting just outside the town of Melrose. This is a region known for its rolling countryside, historic landmarks and connections to Scottish literature, with the River Tweed running through the surrounding landscape.
From the house, guests can explore the wider Abbotsford Estate, including woodland walks, riverside paths and the main House itself, which is open to visitors. Melrose is a short drive away and offers a selection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as the ruins of Melrose Abbey, one of the most notable historic sites in the area.
The location also works well for those looking to explore further afield. The Borders are ideal for walking, cycling and fishing, while Edinburgh can be reached in around an hour, making day trips entirely feasible.
This setting combines a sense of rural space with good connections, offering both quiet surroundings and easy access to local highlights.
Terms & Conditions:
?
£500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
4:00 pm
10:00 am
Yes, included in the rental price
Yes, included in the rental price
Up to 3 dogs are welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Due to the historic nature of the property, dogs must remain on the lower-ground floor. Dog friendly facilities provided.
Please note that the house manager lives in a neighboring property on site.
Flexible
No smoking or vaping
2 nights in low season, 3 nights in high season. 7 nights over Christmas and New Year.
Yes, included in the rental price
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed
Sleeping up to 14 adults and two children across eight individually designed bedrooms, the property is well suited to multi-generational families, celebrations, or corporate gatherings. Spacious reception rooms provide room to come together, whether for long dinners overlooking the River Tweed or evenings spent in the drawing room or billiards room.
Guests have access to private outdoor areas, including a courtyard and patio garden, along with the wider Estate grounds. A wide range of bookable experiences can also be arranged in advance, from private dinners in Sir Walter Scott’s dining room and guided tours of the house to whisky tastings, fishing trips, Highland games, immersive murder mystery experiences, and live entertainment. With so much available, your stay can be shaped around your group, with as much or as little planned as you like.
This is a stay defined by character, ideal for those looking for more than a standard countryside house.
Features:
Lower Ground Floor
- Billiards room- Fully equipped kitchen / breakfast room- Boot room- Laundry room- WC- Prep kitchen
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall- Reception room- Dining room- Sitting room- Library- WC- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
First Floor
- Bedroom with four poster bed and Jack & Jill bathroom (shared with twin bedroom)- Bedroom with twin beds and Jack & Jill bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Deluxe suite with sitting room, bedroom with queen sized bed and ensuite bathroom- Lift between ground and first floor
Exterior Grounds
- Private courtyard garden- Patio area with outdoor seating- Access to the wider Estate grounds- Lawn space suitable for garden games
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi- Billiards table- Laundry facilities- Parking on site
Location:
Scholar's Retreat is located in the Scottish Borders, at Abbotsford, the Borders’ biggest attraction and most significant historic site. Sitting just outside the town of Melrose. This is a region known for its rolling countryside, historic landmarks and connections to Scottish literature, with the River Tweed running through the surrounding landscape.
From the house, guests can explore the wider Abbotsford Estate, including woodland walks, riverside paths and the main House itself, which is open to visitors. Melrose is a short drive away and offers a selection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as the ruins of Melrose Abbey, one of the most notable historic sites in the area.
The location also works well for those looking to explore further afield. The Borders are ideal for walking, cycling and fishing, while Edinburgh can be reached in around an hour, making day trips entirely feasible.
This setting combines a sense of rural space with good connections, offering both quiet surroundings and easy access to local highlights.
Terms & Conditions:
?
£500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
4:00 pm
10:00 am
Yes, included in the rental price
Yes, included in the rental price
Up to 3 dogs are welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Due to the historic nature of the property, dogs must remain on the lower-ground floor. Dog friendly facilities provided.
Please note that the house manager lives in a neighboring property on site.
Flexible
No smoking or vaping
2 nights in low season, 3 nights in high season. 7 nights over Christmas and New Year.
Yes, included in the rental price
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed
During your stay at this villa, you're just a quick walk from Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott. You'll find features such as breakfast (surcharge) and an arcade/games room. The villa includes amenities such as a kitchen and a fireplace.
- The villa offers a kitchen, a washing machine and a fireplace
- Breakfast is offered for a fee
- Amenities include a lift
- On-site recreation includes tennis courts
- Steps from Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott and a 3-minute drive from Waverley Line
Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16 offers its guests an arcade/games room and a lift. The front desk is open around the clock.
This villa is smoke free.
Property amenities
Internet
- Available in the villa: WiFi
Parking and transport
- Parking on site
Kitchen
- Coffee/tea maker
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
Dining
- Breakfast available for a fee
Bedrooms
- 7 bedrooms
- Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Towels provided
Living spaces
- Fireplace
Entertainment
- Games
- Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
- Fenced yard
- Firepit
Laundry
- Washing machine
Comfort
- Heating
Pets
- Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
- If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
- In-room accessibility
- Lift
- Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
- Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
- In a rural location
Things to do
- Arcade/game room
- Billiards/pool table
- Golf
- Tennis
- Fishing nearby
- Hiking nearby
- Horseback riding nearby
Safety features
- Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
- Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
- Pets are welcome Service animals are exempt from fees.
- Note from host: Under request
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.
Property is also known as
5410032