The Roughley Cottage

and Kirknowe

The Roughley Cottage, Spring 2018

March 30th - April 13th - The Cook Family

Charlotte aged 11 wrote: I really enjoyed relaxing around Roughley and spending time on the hills, fields and the loch. I especially enjoyed going out on the rowing boat and fishing. I would definitely like to come to Roughley again.

Zoe aged 9 wrote: My highlight of the Roughley was probably the frogs. I enjoyed picking them up… I liked exploring the field. The sheep are so cute to look at out the window. I have been coming here since I was a tiny baby. I love roughly cottage. PS Felting is fun making it outo f sheep's wool.

Jem aged 14 wrote: I liked the 2 creeks here. I enjoyed canoeing… Their parents wrote: Lovely relaxing roughly! Our 6th visit in 11 year and this place has retained its charm. Long lie-ins, dog walks, including up to the stone circle, canoeing, fishing (several caught and released) games in the evening, reading, bliss… Thank you for preserving this little sanctuary. Thank you also to Pete and Liz for letting the kits feed the lambs - very special.

April 27th - May 4th - Gordon and Kath Benson and Charlie the terrier

Another great time at Roughley - coal fires, cards, reading, walking and of course fishing. Visit number 5 and still as magical as the first. Good to see the resident brown trout are breeding. First time here to see the cute newborn lambs - each season here has something new to offer

May 4th - 11th - Malcolm and Denise Talbot

We left with the swallows in the autumn and returned with them in the spring. On Monday evening we had a trout fresh from the loch - smoked over oak chippings on the barbecue, eaten outside on a beautiful balmy spring night watching the sun go down beyond the hill. Another roughly memory for the dream back of the mind. 16 fish caught 1/2 lb- 6lb - all returned but 1.

The Roughley Cottage, Summer 2017

April 14th – 21st – the Clasper Family, Newcastle

This was their 26th visit!

They wrote: had a picnic by the waterfall – trip to hermitage, had canoes and barnacle (rowing boat) out. 26th visit – still just as magical.

June 2nd – 9th – the Benson Family – Newcastle-upon-Tyne

A mixed bag of weather that did nothing to detract from this wonderful place. This our 4th visit but first with family staying. Our 3 year old granddaughter has loved….. Our 13 year old granddaughter has been 'unplugged' for the first time ever, and has loved it. Card games, walking, parlour games etc have introduced a new world from technology. Thanks Roughley for yet another magical week. We will be back.

June 16th – 23rd - The Buckingham Family and Friends from Faringdon

Beautiful sunsets and views – a magical spot. Caught 5 fish and kept 3 – nice eating. Caught using caddis, black buzzer, pheasant tail and traditional dry flies. Hope to be back soon. Thank you!

July 7th – 14th – Clive and Linda and Penny the Labrador from Torquay

What a lovely quiet area! A wonderful location – such peace and tranquillity. Can't believe the view from the kitchen sink. Thank you for the lovely flowers. We were also impressed by the rag rugs. Where did the time go?

July 14th – 21st – The Buckingham Family from Bracknell

Back again, and nothing has changed apart from the smart shelves in the kitchen and the picnic table out the front… Roughley has worked its magic again…. Lots of kayaking and in Barnacle (the rowing boat)…. Lovely supper at The Grapes in Newcastleton…. Great walks up the hill and ravine. We have slept so well here, and return to life rested.
Jack aged 9 caught 2 trout, and was very proud of his first ever fish.
The view of Hermitage Castle has to be the best washing-up view in the country.

August 4th – 11th – Steve McCauley and Family from Hebburn

Our visit to Roughley has been just what we needed – perfect family time!
Our girls have experienced freedom like they never have at home. Kayaking and the swing were their favourite activities. Already looking forward to our next visit.

August 11th – 18th – Judith Underwood and family – Stockton on Tees

An amazing cottage and location. Most chilled out holiday that we have had. It's perfect!

August 19th – 25th – Richard and Lin Arning from Andover

A comfortable and well-equipped cottage in stunning surroundings. Excellent walks and views in any direction.

August 25th – September 1st – Eileen Vickery and party and two dogs from Wrexham

The cottage is very comfortable and well equipped. Introduced the children to fly-fishing, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Had two lovely trout for tea. Enjoyed the kayaks and rowing boat and the wonderful scenery.
Everyone enjoyed the ‘no internet' and ‘no mobile phone signal' although you can get 2G up the hill behind the house.
Haven't ventured far, no need really, great to unwind.

September 1st – 8th – Malcolm and Denise Talbot, North Yorkshire

Our second visit to Roughley this year. Wish we had booked 2 weeks – do not want to leave.
We were lucky to be either side of the full moon and waited each night to see it rise above the hill.
The birds have been a delight. We have seen the last of the swallow chicks fledge from the boathouse and barn.
We spent our days fishing, relaxing and reading. We plan to return next year in spring and autumn but to extend our visits to two weeks, making the most of our retirement. Thank you for a lovely holiday

Back to Roughley Cottage web page

Kirknowe

8-13 July 2013 Dr Anderson. Manchester

The main thing that made our stay special was the bunch of flowers on our arrival. They were beautiful .... The view from every window is absolutely amazing .... I have also enjoyed the great stock of books on your shelves...It's been a wonderful relaxing stay.

24-31st August. Miss Jones. Hampshire.

What a special place - we have loved staying here. We'll never forget the fabulous skies, the swallows dancing around the kitchen in the morning, and the starts so bright at night.

Highlights of our stay - massed pipe bands at Floors Castle; beautiful abbeys at Jedburgh and Melrose, Robert Smail's printing works at Innerleithen; Bowhill woodland walks and adventure playground. Alnwick Castle.

14-28 September. Mrs Elkin. Nottingham.

We have all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. What a fabulous house. Walking along Deere Street with such magnificent views of the hills and the mountains was breath-taking, and the thought of treading the same path as the Romans did 2000 years ago was magical.... there's a lovely river walk at Kelso, the Borders Abbeys Way.

We know for certain that we shall be back hopefully for many many more fabulous holidays.

28 September - 5th October. Dr Merry. London.

Within half an hour of arriving we were already talking about coming back, and which friends we might recommend this place to. Beautiful house and fantastic setting.

5-19 October. Mrs Klaster. Holland.

There's so much to see and do within a 50 mile radius that we hope to come back to pick up where we left off.

19-26 October. Mr and Mrs Strange. Lincoln.

What a wonderful oasis you have created at Kirknowe. The half term break has been a real tonic to charge the batteries.

We absolutely loved Abbotsford and found the factory tour at Johnston's of Elgin (in Hawick) fascinating. Plus the shop! It was fun to walk to the top of Bonchester Hill from Kirknowe ... Even better is the walk up Ruberlslaw. Truly magnificent walk and spectacular views.

26 October-2 November Miss Bradshaw. Leicestershire.

I've just spend my 50th birthday here with my family and made them walk up Ruberslaw to celebrate. thanks for the great stay.

Christmas 21-28 December 2013. Mrs Taylor. Dorset.

Wow! What a find. Thank you so very much for sharing the wonderfully unique home. We have had the perfect Christmas break.

We didn't see the restoration photographs until our last day. It's truly amazing what you have achieved here... we have wanted for nothing,the house is extremely well-equipped and we felt very welcome. P.S having a piano here was a real treat too.

New Year 2013/14 28 December - 4 January Mrs Mackie. Hertfordshire.

Very restful and relaxing week, although the weather was pretty wild and wet. Many evenings of games and drinks by the log fire. When the sun did come out, the scenery and views were quite spectacular.