Living room: Smart TV, DVD Player, DVDs, Woodburner
Kitchen/dining room: Electric Oven, Electric Hob, Microwave, Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine
Bathroom: Bath With Shower Over, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 1: Kingsize (5ft) Bed
Bedroom 2: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
South Cottage is most likely to appeal to naturalists, birdwatchers, walkers and cyclists and those wishing to explore the wild, open and unpopulated landscapes of the western regions of the Scottish Borders. There is direct access from Howpasley Farm to marked walking trails in Craik Forest and, for cyclists, to many miles of forest roads through the surrounding plantations.
The nearest shops and facilities are in the town of Hawick, some 12 miles from Howpasley; the nearest cities are Carlisle, 1 hour drive south, and Edinburgh is under 2 hours’ drive north.
South Cottage has the traditional layout of farmworkers’ cottages in this region: two decent-sized bedrooms on the first floor and bathroom, kitchen/dining room and living room on the ground floor. The cottage has recently been upgraded and redecorated in 2021 and offers simple but comfortable accommodation for up to four people. For those wanting to relax, it has a TV and DVD player and a small selection of books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and board games. An oil-fired boiler provides heating and hot water, and the living room has a wood burner. For groups of four adults or for families with two teenage children, the more spacious kitchen/dining room and slightly larger second bedroom in North Cottage (UK35716) may be more convenient.
South Cottage has its own garden with a picnic table and there is ample, dedicated car parking; storage space for bikes is available in an adjoining shed. High-speed internet access via fibre broadband is provided and there is a reasonable 4G mobile phone signal.
Once a sizeable sheep farm, Howpasley Farm steadily reduced in size during the 20th century as more and more of its hill grazing was sold off for commercial forestry; farming activities are now focused on grazing the fields at lower levels and on the creation and management of conservation woodland. Visitors are welcome to walk the farm tracks alongside Howpasley Burn and explore those fields where sheep are not currently grazing.
South Cottage can be booked together with North Cottage (ref UK35716) to accommodate up to 8 guests.