Relaxed Country House in heart of the Scottish Borders
- House
- Sleeps: 18
- Bedrooms: 11
- Bathrooms: 4
- Min Stay: 2–7 nights
A large country house sleeping up to 18 people with 9 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms.
Bedrooms
Owner
Catherine Maxwell Stuart
- Languages:
- english, catherine@traquair.co.uk
About Catherine Maxwell Stuart
Howford House is on the Traquair Estate and was originally built for the factor or estate manager. I live in Traquair House and my family have been here for over 500 years and Traquair is Scotland's Oldest Inhabited House. We have three children and we run the main house as a visitor attraction and with some limited accommodation. In 2015 a long standing tenant vacated Howford House and we decided to renovate the property for self catering. We have kept a relaxed informal country house style with many items of furniture and paintings being lent from the main house. We have an eclectic mix of art both contemporary and traditional. Mattresses and bedding are all new and excellent quality and the bathrooms have been renovated as well. The estate comprises around 4.500 acres and includes four farms which mainly farm sheep and cattle which you will see around the house. There is also a large number of forests and the River Tweed which offers fly fishing during the winter and Spring months as well as trout fishing in the summer.
Catherine Maxwell Stuart purchased this House in 1800
Why Catherine Maxwell Stuart chose Peebles
Howford is a perfect retreat for family and friends. It has a country house elegance that I love with a relaxed feel which we have tried to keep as much as possible. Lots of space and the rooms are all generously proportioned with wonderful views. There are wonderful stone flagged floors that have been retained and makes this a robust house you can enjoy without worrying about bringing in a bit of mud now and again! It is also very accessible from Edinburgh with good facilites in local towns nearby. Perfect in the winter for cosying up around the open log fire and going for long walks or relaxing in summer with the beautiful garden and space to enjoy the outdoors.
What makes this House unique
Gorgeous views, spacious, relaxed, well appointed house that is perfect for large groups of friends or family. It has the additional features of a fully accessible bedroom on the ground floor that was previously converted for a wheel chair user with accessible shower/wet room. Also, the attic rooms are just great for teenagers or kids as they have a self contained mini flat with their own bathroom and TV!
Amenities
Featured
- No Smoking
- Heater
- Pets Welcome
- Children Welcome
- TV
- Internet
- Parking
- Fireplace
- Accessible
Bathrooms
- Bathrooms: 4
House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Parties/events allowed
No smoking
Pets allowed
Children allowed
Max guests:18
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
6 Reviews
Weekend with friends
Excellent house with everything you need. Very well equipped!
Happy times
Spacious relaxing well equipped house.
14adults 4 children and a baby all had A very happy weekend stay celebrating a Ruby wedding anniversary and overdue get together. All the beds were very comfortable with loads of room to spare. Soundproofing of the rooms was excellent The house was warm even although the outside temperature was around freezing.
Family get together
There were 14 adults and two children in our party.
We had the most wonderful week in Howford House and was warmly welcomed by the Housekeeper.
A word has to be said about the efficiency and warmth shown to us from the staff at Traquair House. We had a family dinner arranged at the House and through all the arrangements and the evening itself we were treated very well. A big thank you to all.
Brilliant family house
We had a great time here, the house was amazing and had everything we needed. There were 15 of us and it never felt cramped at all, the garden was beautiful and perfect for garden games. Hide and seek in the house was brilliant 😊 the house keeper Elaine was very helpful as well. Would definitely recommend.
Grandmas's 80th Birthday
Perfect house for a family group. A very relaxed space to enjoy time together. Kitchen very well equipped with everything you need. Lovely spacious bedrooms. Thank you.
Very comfortable accommodation for a large group of all ages.
Lovely family weekend to celebrate a milestone birthday. Welcoming and relaxed. Everyone had a great time exploring the area in the Spring sunshine.
Map
Howford House is set in the heart of the Scottish Borders and just 10 minutes from Traquair, Scotland's Oldest Inhabited House and 5 star visitor attraction. As Howford is amnaged by Traquair Estate guests staying at Howford are free to use the extensive grounds, tennis court etc as well as enjoy discounted entry to the house and banquet/dinners offered in the eighteenth century Dining Room. Please see www.traquair.co.uk for more details.
The Scottish Borders is rich in history and culture, beautiful landscapes, rolling hills, rivers and lochs with the additional advantage of being a relatively little visited part of Scotland.
Superb walking and cycling including some of the best mountain biking in Scotland. There a number of historic local towns to visit, attractions such as the ancient Border Abbeys, Abbotsford- Home of Sir Walter Scott and gardens such as Dawyck Botanical garden and Kailzie gardens just three miles away. The summer months host a large number of local festivals and events including the Border Common Ridings where local inhabitants have a mass ride out on horseback to celebrate the riding of the boundaries that has take place over many centuries.