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Scottish Borders

Wilderkin Cabin

For two, with one bedroom, a hot tub and room for the dog. Two nights at least.

Book on their website
Welcome

Wilderkin is an off-grid cabin for two near Carlops in the Scottish Borders, about half an hour from Edinburgh, down a grass path among wild apple and cherry trees in a private glade of its own.

It is clad and floored in local larch, Douglas fir and hemlock, and a large picture window looks across gorse and heather slopes to the Pentland Hills. There is a king-size bed with down bedding and a hot water bottle for winter, a big woodburner for heat, a record player, books and games, and the lights and sockets run off a wind turbine. Outside you can pick apples, cook on the fire pit and soak in the Japanese ofuro-style hot tub, listening out for fieldfares, larks, peewits and curlews, with Deepsyke forest rising behind the cabin. There is no wifi, so come with warm clothes, sturdy boots and waterproofs.

Secret hideaway in the wilds of Scotland.
Wilderkin
What is here

There's a king-size bed with down bedding, a big woodburner, a rainfall shower and compost toilet, an induction hob, a record player with books and games, and an ofuro-style hot tub and fire pit outside.

Hot tub
Wood for fires
Firepit
Outdoor dining area
EV charging point
Alternative brew methods
Board games
Books
Dog friendly
Kitchen
Rainfall shower
Self check-in
Wood-burning stove
Good to know
Stays
Two nights at the least.
Arrival
Check in from 3.30pm, out by 10.30am; a short walk down a grass path from the car.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs, for a £20 flat fee. Babes in arms welcome.
Off grid
No wifi; lights and sockets run on a wind turbine, with a compost toilet.
Firewood
Enough for your stay, with more on an honesty system.
Where it is

Wilderkin is near the hamlet of Carlops in the Scottish Borders, about half an hour's drive from Edinburgh, with Deepsyke forest rising behind the cabin.

Carlops is a short drive or a 2km walk away, and the conservation village of West Linton, with open-fire pubs, a tea room and food shops, is five minutes down the road. Directions for car, bus or bike come with your booking, and there's an electric car charger you can use at cost.

Getting hereAbout half an hour from Edinburgh, below the Pentland Hills.

Close by
  1. Celtic cross gravestone among tombs leading to a spired stone churchGlencorse Old Kirk9 miles 15 min by road
  2. Aerial view of a Scotland-shaped relief map pool surrounded by treesGreat Polish Map of ScotlandFound within the grounds of the Barony Hotel, the Great Polish Map of Scotland is a concrete scale model of Scotland10 miles 17 min by road
  3. Diners at outdoor tables outside The Original Rosslyn, flag flying above the entranceOriginal Rosslyn InnA family-run inn in Roslin since 1837, a three-minute walk from Rosslyn Chapel, where Burns, Wordsworth and Scott all stopped.11 miles 19 min by road
  4. An intricately carved stone ceiling arches above a stained-glass window depicting robed figures in Rosslyn Chapel.Rosslyn ChapelA 15th-century chapel at Roslin, founded by Sir William St Clair and richly carved inside, famous from The Da Vinci Code.11 miles 20 min by road
  5. Stone steps lead through a red sandstone archway in dense woodlandRosslyn CastleA castle of the Sinclairs on a rock above the River North Esk in Roslin Glen, reached by a high bridge, a short walk from Rosslyn Chapel.12 miles 20 min by road
  6. Rows of beer taps line a pub bar with dark green cabinetry and wooden stoolsThe Hermitage BarA pub in a curving corner building at the heart of Morningside, by the clock, with locally sourced food, live music and a quiz.14 miles 24 min by road
  7. Shopfront of Rua, Home Gifts Accessories, at number 215 with window displays either sideRuaA gift shop on Morningside Road run by Cara and James, with their own cards alongside homewares, furniture and local makers' work.14 miles 25 min by road
  8. Lost Shore Surf Resort, EdinburghLost ShoreEurope's largest wave pool, in the old Craigpark Quarry at Ratho, with surf lessons for every level, lodges and a restaurant.24 miles 35 min by road
Directions
Clermount Cottage, EdinburghPenicuikClermount CottageSleeps 2 · 5.8 miles
White cow parsley blooms in front of a stone cottage with skylightsPenicuikSteadingSleeps 4 · 6.2 miles
Stone cottage courtyard with slate roof, chimney and rolling green hills behindPenicuikThe ByreSleeps 4 · 6.2 miles
A black kitchen counter with flowers on the worktop stands before a curved timber slatted screen opening onto a bedroom.PenicuikCartshedSleeps 2 · 6.2 miles
PenicuikWoodshedSleeps 2 · 6.2 miles
Wash House, EdinburghPenicuikWash HouseSleeps 2 · 6.2 miles
Whitewashed thatched cottage with chimney, surrounded by flowering shrubs and conifersAttractionsSwanston12 miles
Green fields and woods near Roslin on a grey day.AttractionsBattle of Roslin Monument12 miles
Standing stone beside a stone wall and house on a residential streetAttractionsThe Caiy Stane12 miles
Days out from Wilderkin CabinAll days out from here
  1. Flotterstone, Glencorse Reservoir and Castlelaw walkFlotterstone, Glencorse Reservoir and Castlelaw walk6 miles away A morning
  2. Turnhouse, Carnethy and Scald Law hill walkTurnhouse, Carnethy and Scald Law hill walk6 miles away A day out
  3. Round Harlaw Reservoir in the Pentland HillsRound Harlaw Reservoir in the Pentland Hills7 miles away A morning
  4. The Water of Leith walk from Balerno to ColintonThe Water of Leith walk from Balerno to Colinton7 miles away A morning
  5. Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin GlenRosslyn Chapel and Roslin Glen8 miles away A day out
  6. The Alpine Coaster and tubing at HillendThe Alpine Coaster and tubing at Hillend9 miles away A morning
  7. Round Caerketton and Allermuir from HillendRound Caerketton and Allermuir from Hillend9 miles away A morning
  8. Colinton Tunnel and the Dells with the dogColinton Tunnel and the Dells with the dog9 miles away A morning
  9. A Day in the Borders CountrysideA Day in the Borders Countryside10 miles away A day out
  10. The Sware Circuit walk past Neidpath Castle from PeeblesThe Sware Circuit walk past Neidpath Castle from Peebles10 miles away A morning
  11. Cademuir Hill and its forts, by PeeblesCademuir Hill and its forts, by Peebles10 miles away A morning
  12. Almondell country park walk along the River AlmondAlmondell country park walk along the River Almond10 miles away A morning
  13. The Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near EdinburghThe Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near Edinburgh10 miles away A morning
  14. A surf lesson at Lost Shore, RathoA surf lesson at Lost Shore, Ratho10 miles away A morning
  15. The Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill walkThe Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill walk11 miles away A morning
  16. The animals at Five Sisters ZooThe animals at Five Sisters Zoo11 miles away A morning
  17. The Ponds and Glen Trail walks in Glentress ForestThe Ponds and Glen Trail walks in Glentress Forest11 miles away A morning
  18. The animals and play at Almond ValleyThe animals and play at Almond Valley12 miles away A morning
  19. A day at Edinburgh ZooA day at Edinburgh Zoo12 miles away A day out
  20. Kailzie Gardens near PeeblesKailzie Gardens near Peebles12 miles away A morning
  21. Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Tweed valleyDawyck Botanic Garden in the Tweed valley12 miles away A morning
  22. Craigmillar Castle and lunch at the Sheep HeidCraigmillar Castle and lunch at the Sheep Heid12 miles away A morning
  23. Exploring Edinburgh’s Quieter EdgesExploring Edinburgh’s Quieter Edges12 miles away A day out
  24. A walk on Corstorphine Hill to its towerA walk on Corstorphine Hill to its tower12 miles away A morning
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

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