Visiting Scotland, we obviously spent time in Glasgow and Edinburgh. But we really needed a few quiet days in the countryside away from the big city for a more authentic Scottish experience. And we found it at Traquair! Coming here was one of the best decisions we made. Just south of the charming town of Peebles, you'll find the oldest continually-inhabited residence in all of Scotland. The left side of the home dates to the 1100s! There are only three rooms to rent and we ended up having the whole property to ourselves! From April to September, the home can be toured by the public from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closing at 4:00 p.m. in October and 3:00 p.m. in November before winter thoroughly sets in. Within the house are some fascinating artifacts, including the bed in which Mary Queen of Scots stayed, the crib where she kept her son, future King James VI, the oldest mural outside of a church in all of Europe, and one of the world's first calculators attributed to mathematician John Napier. You'll find a restaurant on the grounds open during the day, and a complex hedge maze in the backyard. Certainly a highlight is the miles of pathways covering the grounds in the forest, offering stunning views of the mountains, river, and woods. There is even a chapel, a gift shop, and a brewery. Each day at closing time, the employees depart and the few remaining tourists are asked to leave. The restaurant and museum are closed and your family has the entire grounds to themselves, with only the adorable housekeeper Katie staying behind. You select your breakfast on a paper menu and submit the response in the evening. You're free to roam the entire grounds, watching the grazing sheep and the resident peacock, and simply enjoying total peace. They do have free Wi-Fi and television and a sitting room with a fireplace open to guests. The rooms maintain that old world charm, but the remodeled bathrooms have all the modern conveniences with a wonderful shower. Driving into the town of Peebles is necessary for dinner, although the best restaurant in town Coltman's requires reservations. Returning to the quiet countryside for the night, you'll enjoy isolation and the ultimate getaway. Our family highly recommends this stay! read more

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Lovely old family house to visit, steeped in History and plenty of local tales attached, gardens beautiful set in a fantastic setting