We are delighted to welcome you to our self catering lodges which are set in 633 acres of farmland at the north end of the Scottish Borders just half an hour south of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Airhouses is ideal for a relaxing break or as a base to walk, cycle, mountain bike, fish, play golf, explore the market towns of the Borders, spend time at the beach, visit Edinburgh or Glasgow or even venture over the Border into Northumbria.

Around Airhouses

Reception: This is based at Airhouse Studios which is part of the farmhouse known as Airhouse. You can sign in and collect your key from the Reception. You will need a mobile phone number in case we need to contact you while you are at Airhouses and your car registration number.

Car Parking: There is car parking outside each lodge at the main door of your lodge, which is at the back of all lodges, apart from The Lodge. Access is on the level or via a ramp in the case of The Lodge.

Farm Pets: We have 2 pigs, 8 Shetland ponies and 3 alpacas. The pigs will eat virtually anything but we avoid anything with meat in it, particularly pork! We look on the pigs as vegetarians. The ponies are fond of apples, carrots and polo mints as are the alpacas.

Hot Tub:

Each lodge has its own hot tub. Your hot tub will be sparkling clean on your arrival but may not be up to temperature immediately. There are separate Health and Safety Notes in each lodge relating to the use of the hot tub. We will show you how to make the best use of your hot tub on your arrival.

Heating:

Heating is by Gas and is on all the time. Radiators and towel rails are all on thermostats and can be adjusted. The * is the Frost Stat and 0 is off completely. It would be appreciated if you would turn everything down on retiring or leaving your lodge for any length of time.

Appliances: Instruction manuals for all appliances in the kitchen are in the bottom kitchen drawer and instructions for the Utility/Boot Room appliances are in the cupboard.

Bathroom Plumbing: Please do not put anything down lavatories as we are on a private septic tank which can get very upset if not used properly. We have provided bags for sanitary wear, baby wipes etc which can be put in the general rubbish. We would also ask that you do not use bleach or any strong cleaning agents which can upset the little micro organisms in the septic tank!

Wireless Internet: Free internet access is available and there is no password required. It is an unsecured access.

Check Out: Check out is by 10.00 am on the day of departure. We need this time for the cleaners to do a good job before the next guests arrive. We would ask that you leave your lodge in a clean and tidy condition - just as you found it. Towels, dressing gowns etc to be placed in the shower area or bath.

On the Farm at Airhouse

Treasure Trail:
There is a circular treasure trail which starts from the Totem Pole with the Owl. The final clue is around the base of the Pole. The route takes you down the back road from Airhouse and into the village of Oxton and along the road you came in on.

Ponds:
We have recently added a number of flight ponds which are to encourage wild life and they are at three different locations on the farm.

Ponies:
We have people who come two or three times a week to take our 8 little ponies for a walk. If you would like to help just let us know.

Pigs:

Sophie and Jeannie just love being fed!

Alpacas:

We have three "boy" alpacas who are very regal and like being taken out on lead reins.

Walks:

Lots of walks around the farm and surrounding area

Eating In:

Fine and Wild
www.fineandwild.co.uk
Tel: 07833 460 800

For picnics, meals, cupcakes or canapés

Suzie’s Suppers

suzie@highridgehall.com - meals for the freezer or served ready to reheat

CupCake and Cookies
www.cupcakeandcookie.com

Tel: 07786 26 70 73

For an afternoon tea party or anytime really!

Auromatic Cuisine
www.aromaticuisine.co.uk

Tel: 0845 388 5896

Goan cuisine - learn and dine. For 6 people or more, this entertaining chef will come and cook a spectacular meal for you and do the washing up! Learn to cook with a glass of wine and a very entertaining chef.

Tesco Delivery
www.tesco.com

Just book as usual but put in your lodge name followed by Airhouse, Oxton, Lauder TD2 6PX.

Asda Delivery

http://www.asda.com

Eating Out

Just a few to get you started!

Restaurants and Pubs

The Tower in Oxton
Tel: 01578 750380

Recently re-opened Pub with small restaurant - within walking distance (1 mile)
They also do take-away food

The Lodge at Carfraemill

http://www.carfraemill.co.uk
Tel: 01578 750 750 - Good food and welcomes children. There is usually no need to book except at busy times.

The Black Bull in Lauder
www.blackbull-lauder.co.uk

Tel: 01578 722 208 best to book for evening meals

The Wheatsheaf Hotel at Swinton
www.wheatsheaf-swinton.co.uk – Tel: 01890 860 257. Award winning restaurant - lunches and dinners

Burts in Melrose

www.burtshotel.co.uk – Tel: 01896 822 285

Good bar meals and excellent restaurant for a special occasion.

The Town House in Melrose

www.thetownhousemelrose.co.uk

Tel: 01896 822645

Brasserie and Restaurant

Oscars Wine Bar and Restaurant in Kelso

www.oscars-kelso.com

Tel: 01573 224 008 - excellent food and has an early evening menu

The Cobbles in Kelso
www.thecobblesinn.co.uk

Tel: 01573 223548

Bar and Restaurant – excellent food

Cafés

Flat Cat Gallery in Lauder

www.flatcatgallery.co.uk

Tel: 01578 722 808

Breakfast, light lunches, afternoon teas as well as gifts and gallery of local artists work

The Terrace Café at Floors Castle

www.roxburghe.net/shopandeat_terrace.html

Tel: 01573 225 714
Good Lunches and afternoon teas

Main Street Trading Company

www.mainstreetbooks.co.uk
Tel: 01835 824 087

Independent Book Shop with food and coffee as well as antiques and presents

Baxters Restaurant and Visitors Shop in Selkirk

www.baxters.com/pages/ourstores.html
Tel: 01750 724010

Jammycoo

www.jammycoo.co.uk

Tel: 01835 870 537

Beautiful coffee shop in Lilliesleaf. As well as delightful cakes, homemade soups, you can look at local art and buy gifts to take home

Locally

Cash Point - Bank of Scotland in Lauder

Shops in Lauder:

Shaws Butchers for locally reared meat

Williamsons Greengrocer

Co-op at the garage in Lauder

Lauder Pharmacy - Main Street

Flat Cat Gallery and Café

The Spotty Dog – Delicatessant

There are also lots of other little shops too.

Petrol

The nearest is the Co-op Garage in Lauder. This is not always the cheapest and cheaper Petrol can be found at Little France in Edinburgh or on Seafield Road on the way to Leith in Edinburgh

Supermarket

There is a small Co-op in Lauder but the larger supermarkets are in Galashiels or Dalkeith on the way to Edinburgh. Tesco, Asda and Marks and Spencer Simply Foods are in Galashiels and Tesco in Dalkeith.

Butchers

Shaws in Lauder who have a great selection of locally reared meat

Delicatessen

The Spotty Dog, Lauder http://www.thespottydog.co.uk

Tel: 01578 722 09 Dedicated to supplying a fantastic range of local, and organic food, alongside continental specialities.

Doctors

There are two medical practices in Lauder but for out of hours you need NHS24 on 0845 4242424.

Emergency Dentist

Border Dental Enquiry Line - 0845 300 0930

Visitor Information centre: the nearest one is at Abbey House in Melrose on 01896 822283

Taxis

D and D Private Hire

Airports, Edinburgh, Borders DD@privatehirecars.freeserve.co.uk

Toots Taxis - 01896 750004

R and D Taxis - 01896 758808

Activities:

Golf:

The Scottish Borders has a great variety of golf courses and more information on each course click here. The nearest course to Airhouses is Lauder Golf Course.

From March to October you can purchase a Freedom of the Fairways pass and information for this can be found at http://www.visitscottishborders.com/WhatToSee/Golf/FOF.aspx

East Lothian and Edinburgh also have a host of golf courses. One of our favourites is King’s Acre at www.kings-acregolf.com (Tel: 0131 663 3456. Their Fish and Chips in the Club House is good!

Mountain biking:
www.thehubintheforest.co.uk (Tel: 01721 721 736)

www.7stanes.gov.uk (Tel: 01387 272 440)

Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools: There are leisure centres with a swimming pool at Galashiels and Kelso. There is a leisure centre in Lauder. There are numerous swimming pools in Edinburgh.

Clay Pigeon Shooting:

Braidwood Sporting Clays

www.braidwoodsc.co.uk

Tel: 01835 870 280

Dryburgh Abbey

www.dryburgh.co.uk/sporting_breaks/shooting.html

Tel: 01835 822 261

Roxburgh Estate

www.roxburghe-hotel.com/roxburghestate.html

Tel: 01573 450 331

Shooting:

Roxburgh Estate

www.roxburghe-hotel.com/roxburghestate.html

Tel: 01573 450 331

Archery:

Eastcote House Archery Centre

www.eastcote-archery.co.uk

Tel: 01450 870 008

Scottish Archery Centre

www.scottisharcherycentre.co.uk

Tel: 01620 850 401

Fishing:

Tweed Guide

www.tweedguide.com
Fishing on the River Tweed - Wader to Rod, permit to fly, instruction to advice

Bait Fishing:

Markle Fisheries

www.marklefisheries.com

Tel: 01620 861 213

Allandale Tarn

www.allandaletarn.com

Tel: 01506 873 073

Horse Riding

Nenthorn Equestrian Centre, Kelso

www.nenthorn-equestrian.com/index.html

Tel: 01573 224 073

Borders Group of Riding for the Disabled

http://www.border-rda.org.uk/

Racing

Kelso Race Course

www.kelso-races.co.uk

Tel: 01668 280 800

Musselburgh Race Course

www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Tel: 0131 665 2859

If you haven’t tried racing before, then this is a good place to start. Check out their 10 reasons to Come Racing

Wheels:

Adventures on Wheels in Melrose
www.activitiesinscotland.com
Tel: 01896 822 452
They can arrange all sorts of activities for you

Knockhill Racing Circuit - Dunfermline
www.knockhill.com
Tel: 01383 723337

Ronnie Dale 4x4 off Road Driving
www.ronniedale4x4.co.uk
Tel: 01361 840 244

Courses

Photography:

Graham Riddell Photography (Tel: 01896 830 915) – Walks and Tuition – Graham will take you a walk in the local area, or further afield. Discover the natural beauty of the area while learning to develop your photography skills. £35 per person/£10 for children for 2 hours with a 10% reduction for larger parties.

Machine Knitting

Carol Ann Designs at Airhouse Studios
Tel: 01578 750642 One day course of machine knitting/Computer Aided Design using DesignaKnit. Cost is £250 per day including lunch.

Golf

Kings Acre Golf Course, Lasswade

www.kings-acregolf.com
Tel: 0131 663 3456 and ask for Matt

Golf lessons for all levels at a reasonable cost

Cookery Courses

Goan Cooking in your lodge

Learn to dine with a glass of wine! Bosco will come to your lodge and show you how to cook a genuine Goan meal over a glass of wine or two. Contact Bosco to book - http://www.aromaticuisine.co.uk/cookery.htm (Tel: 0845 388 5896).

Edinburgh School of Cookery

Edinburgh School of Cookery

Tel: 0131 333 5001

Day courses are run on a Saturday at Newliston which is west of Edinburgh and about a 40 minute drive from Airhouses.

A little Pampering?

The following people/companies will come to your lodge by prior arrangement:

Lisa Rocket – Colour me Beautiful – 07956 328 993

Borders Body and Mind 01578 722 727

Business

Virtusec.com
Georgiana at virtusec.com – virtual secretarial services

www.virtusec.com

Tel: 07765 246124

Colour Printing with Duplex available at Airhouse Studios

Wireless Internet in each lodge

Netbook or Laptop available