
The Byre
For four, with two bedrooms, a sauna and room for the dog. Two nights at least.
Licence ML-00073-F
The Byre is a family cottage for four on Eastside, a working hill farm up a quiet glen in the Pentland Hills, and it was once the farm's cow shed.
It's a mile up the farm track and a 10-mile drive from central Edinburgh. Its heart is a magnificent double-height country kitchen, with a long table for family meals and a wooden stair climbing to a snug with sofas and a fire. The double bedroom, which is en suite, and the twin are on the lower-ground floor. Outside there's a small seating area and a fire pit, and the walks into the hills start from the door. It's baby and child friendly, dogs are welcome on leads, and you can book a private session in the farm's wood-fired sauna.
So close to Edinburgh, but far enough away to feel like a different world.
There’s a wood-burning stove with logs from the farm’s own timber, plus kindling, firelighters and matches, and a fire pit in the cottage garden.
- The sauna
- The farm's sauna, a steam-sauna yurt in the woods, to book.
- Children
- Baby and child friendly.
- Dogs
- Welcome.
- Getting there
- A mile up the farm track, into a hidden valley.
SteadingSleeps 4- The old hay shed
- A spiral staircase
WoodshedSleeps 2- A silvered timber cabin
- A wood-fired hot tub
CartshedSleeps 2- By Studio IMA
- Big picture windows
Wash HouseSleeps 2- By Studio IMA
- A marble shower room
Eastside sits up a quiet glen in the Pentland Hills Regional Park near Penicuik, in Midlothian, a mile up a farm track from the main road.
Central Edinburgh is a 10-mile drive away (Waverley Station is 13 miles) and Edinburgh Airport is 15 miles. A Houstons 101 bus into Edinburgh stops at the end of the track, a mile’s walk from the cottages, and Penicuik, 4 miles off, has a frequent Lothian Buses service. A car makes life easier, as some taxi firms won’t drive up the track.
Getting hereIn the Pentland Hills near Penicuik, south of Edinburgh.
A walk up the Kirk Road into the Pentland Hills2 miles away A few hours
Round Harlaw Reservoir in the Pentland Hills3 miles away A few hours
Flotterstone, Glencorse Reservoir and Castlelaw walk3 miles away A few hours
Turnhouse, Carnethy and Scald Law hill walk4 miles away A day out
The Water of Leith walk from Balerno to Colinton4 miles away A few hours
Pony trekking at Swanston, under the Pentland Hills5 miles away A few hours
The Alpine Coaster and tubing at Hillend5 miles away A few hours
Round Caerketton and Allermuir from Hillend6 miles away A few hours
West Linton's carved kirk and lunch at Whitmuir Farm6 miles away A few hours
Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin Glen6 miles away A day out
Colinton Tunnel and the Dells with the dog6 miles away A few hours
Edinburgh Printmakers and a walk along the Union Canal7 miles away A few hours
The Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near Edinburgh7 miles away A few hours
A surf lesson at Lost Shore, Ratho7 miles away A few hours
The Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill walk7 miles away A few hours
Lunch at the Canny Man's and a film at the Dominion8 miles away A few hours
Morningside, a show at the King's and supper at Dulse8 miles away A day out
Almondell country park walk along the River Almond8 miles away A few hours
A day at Edinburgh Zoo8 miles away A day out
The Great Polish Map of Scotland and Cross Kirk in Peebles9 miles away A few hours
A walk on Corstorphine Hill to its tower9 miles away A few hours
An evening at the King's Theatre9 miles away A few hours
This 6‑Stop Literary Trail Ends with a Drink at Rebus’s Favourite Pub9 miles away A day out
Dean Village, the Water of Leith and lunch at the Pantry9 miles away A few hours
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.














