Ettrick Valley Yurts

This is top walking country with many paths passing close to the site; the site staff are true experts in where to wander nearby and are happy to share their top tips. To explore further, drive half an hour to the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve and Trail, through wildlife haven moorlands to a fab waterfall, and stopping off (recommend the tipsters at Ettrick Valley) for a wander round St Mary’s Loch on the way back. Fishing types can try their luck (with permits) on the waters there and seek trout and grayling on the Ettrick. If bikes are more your bag, Glentress and Innerleithen (both 40 minutes away) are part of the 7Stanes network of mountain biking centres, with bike hire and trails for all levels of ability and nerve. If you’re bringing a bike with you, the Ettrick Valley folks will keep it locked up safely in their store. The Scottish Borders are big on history too, what with William Wallace being made guardian of the Scots at Selkirk (30 minutes) and Sir Walter Scott settling down at Abbotsford (40 minutes). The ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh are all within a 50-minute drive and it's about an hour to Floors and Hermitage castles.