The Roughley Cottage

The Mitchell Family - May 24 - 31st 2008

The surrounding area is so beautiful it is difficult to know where to start. We are all hooked by the magic of Roughley. Saw 53 different species of birds including Grasshopper Warbler, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Crossbill, Tufted Duck and Pied Flycatcher. Heard, but did not see: Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whimbrel and Snipe.

The Cook family 26 April - 10 May

What a wonderful welcome. Both fires blazing, a bunch of gorgeous daffs on the table, and Roughley look remarkably clean. Highly recommended the butcher in Newcastleton. In 7 outings on the loch I caught 12 trout - ate 6 of them - all in the 1 - 1 1/2 lb range.

Gary and Jane Cartledge. 13 - 20 October 2007

Everyone enjoyed it - even the teenage twins.

John and Marjorie Ward. 1 -8th September 2007

An ideal spot to spend our 47th wedding anniversary. It was great to be able to see the stars and the Milky Way at night.

Jurgen and Kirsten Lister and family. August 18th - 23rd 2007

Thank you for the flowers, serene stillness, 4 brown trout - Jurgen.
Highlight - eating dinner by the boat house - Kirsten.

Emily Vivas and friends. 4th - 11th August 2007

Fourth time at this lovely place, and as usual there is so much to do that there is no time to write in the diary.
Have woken up on my birthday in heaven! Takes the edge off being a year older- hope to return and repeat the glorious Roughley experience.

Vicki and Howard Kennedy and friends. 28th July - 5th August 2007

Well it's fair to say that today we are all down in the dumps because we don't want to leave.. Its been so peaceful and we we've all had an amazing time. Thank you so much for this place. We've sown not to tell others about our amazing hideaway... it's the best-kept secret ever!!

10th -14th July 2007

Our honeymoon! This as been the perfect place to get away from it all. To have such quiet is unbelievably relaxing. To sit and listen to birds, insects, raindrops and the crackle of the fire without the interruptions of mobile phones, radios and other voices is pure bliss. This is a beautiful house inside and out. A very special place Roughley, we will see you again soon.

Carol Richardson. 16-23rd June 2007

Been very peaceful. Counted 46 species of bird in and around the cottage.

Sara and David Parfitt. 12th May - 19th May 2007

The Roughley library is a great resource in bad weather.

Mr and Mrs Gaze. 28th April - 5th May 2007

Just perfect as it is. Listened to the curlews as the sunset... Can't wait to come back.

Mr and Mrs Slack. 21st April - 28th 2007

Peace, seclusion, newly born lambs and calves, a loch, a dinghy, a boat house and fair weather. What more can we ask?

Mr and Mrs Cook and family. 25th March - April 7th 2007

All that we'd hoped for and more. think at last we've found our remote cottage after numerous hopefuls and we'll definitely return... I still can't believe the views and the peaceful aura this place has. It really is special. Must recommend Rustic Kitchen. We tried all her scones, gingerbread, quiche and lemon curd.

3 June - 17th June

Caught 51 trout from 3/4 lb to 1 3/4 lb. Kept 5 for the table... Do try the Rustic Kitchen's gingerbread and scones and visit the butcher for meat fruit and veg and raspberry and apple pie.

20 -27 May

Our first visit to the Roughley and we are already planning our return. We love the isolation and the step back in time... spotted red squirrels. thank you to the Tennants for sharing this piece of heaven.

29th April - 13th May.

We've had a few days of glorious hot weather, but also some cold wet ones. All magical though.

25th Feb 2006

Enjoyed the spectacular star display one evening - wish we could take it home with us!

from Oct/Nov 2005

Fantastic to be away from the TV, games, computers.

Couldn't believe out luck to be staying here - feel in love with the setting and the cottage instantly. The stars on the first night were amazing - we have brought a telescope with us.

The days have flown by, each seeming faster than the last, all of them enjoyed; resting, reading, fishing, touring, star-gazing... Bread, scones and jam from the Rustic Kitchen were delish, we've order more for the journey home.

Buckingham family and friends

This our 5th visit to Roughley... within half and hour they were all fishing and pulling fish out like no tomorrow. They were in heaven.

Katrina Brown, Katie Nicoll, Andy Millar and friends, who stayed the week of New Year 2004-5

We've had a lot of fun. Good times, great food, astonishing beauty around and us some well stocked fires to keep us warm (most of the time)... the house is great. The kitchen is ideal and allowed us all to make great food - a sure sign it was good...

Mickey (5) and Fergus (2) loved the ducks and the candlelight and the (slightly scary) castle in the distance (Hermitage Castle)... a great start to the new year. Thanks Roughley.

McVoys, Carters, Osbournes

Roughley is one of the most peaceful places I've ever been to.

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Cleuchhead

Mrs Wagstaff, May -June 2005

Yet another fantastic week at Cleuchhead. We have all relaxed and unwound - this is a haven in the midst of our ever busy lives. Thank you.

Mr Lowes, June 2005

Two elderly fishermen had a relaxing few days. Many thanks.

The Turners, Howe, and Wheelers from Berlin, Massachusetts, USA, July 2005

We learned about this little cottage on the internet, an in the week we've been here have become very attached to it. It will be hard to leave this beautiful valley and friendly people when we travel on to the Highlands tomorrow. We will miss the comforting sounds of the sheep and cattle, and the windy roads atop these amazing hills...
Just a terrific place to stay and take daily excursions. Thank you very much. We hope to return.

Below; Trout caught by guests at Cleuchhead in 2007

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Swanshiel

July 28th - 11th August. Saunders Family, Hampshire

Our first visit to this area and a truly memorable time. Blissfully peaceful location, wonderful views and excellent walks, long and short, throughout the area. The house is very comfortable and cosy with the fire going on cool evenings.

August 25th - 1st September. Clayton Family, Staffordshire

What a wonderful location! The cottage was cosy and well-equipped. The garden was superb. We spent many fun hours in the evenings playing outside.

29th September - 6th October. Geoff and Rosie Potts and Collie

Very clean, well-equipped country cottage. Had a brilliant week in a perfect location.

October 20th - 27th. Mrs Baxter and Family

One week not long enough. Had a great week.

December 23rd - 29th. Mrs Shilton, Tamworth

We have had such a good time and don't want to leave. Lovely, cosy cottage. The perfect retreat. We will return to this beautiful place.

December 29th - 5th January 2008 Litchfield Family, Sutton in Ashworth

It snowed at the end of the holiday and we enjoyed playing outside building snowmen. We all had an amazing time, and the dogs thoroughly enjoyed running around the garden.

Before 2007

We loved the isolation and seclusion of the cottage. We are new to the Borders and have really appreciated the peace of the area. Great forest walks and bike rides...

Had a truly fantastic week in the Borders. The attenders at Jedburgh Abbey were absolutely fantastic and very helpful with the children. ...Our favourite day was a trip to the coast - BAMBURGH - beautiful sandy beach with very few people.

Saw a variety of wildlife around the lovely, cosy homely cottage. Look forward to our 3rd visit soon.

Recommend Dryden Riding Centre. We had a 2 hour ride - the best I've had in years. So friendly and helpful - such a shame I live 7 hours away. Can't wait to come back.

Great cottage, lovely relaxing week. The owner of the farm was very friendly and let my two boys fish in the river.

We have had a wonderful week. Scotland never fails to please us. The dogs have thoroughly enjoyed the freedom.

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