“We’re farmers of 1,600 acres here in the Scottish Borders, with crops, cattle, sheep and deer. We dug the loch in 2018 and quickly realised we’d created a dream spot for a tiny hideaway, with incredible views from the southern slopes of Ruberslaw. Inspired by our own travels, we built Tiny Home Borders using an old bale trailer as its base, with oak fittings and worktops from the family farm. We wanted to create somewhere small and cosy in this huge landscape, with all the comforts we love when we travel ourselves.” Owners Claire, David & Sarah
They love
“The peace and quiet – and hearing how relaxing our guests find it here. We also love the natural timber cladding and the way the cabin blends into the landscape.”
We love
Having an entire lochan to yourself. Swim first thing, warm up in the sauna, then sit beside it with breakfast, watching the weather roll across the hills.
You may not love
No WiFi or TV. The bed is tucked up on a mezzanine, with open stairs.
Sustainability.
Off-grid and solar-powered, Tiny Home Borders was created with responsible tourism in mind, using local craftspeople and locally sourced materials wherever possible, including oak from the family farm. Supplies and extras are sourced from within 16 miles where they can be, meat comes from the farm itself, and toiletries are by East Lothian-based Laura Thomas. Eco cleaning products are used too, while walking routes straight from the cabin make it easy to arrive, park up and leave the car untouched for the rest of your stay.
Surrounds.
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Rule Water -
Boarders Distillery -
St Abbs by Visit Scotland -
Dryburgh Abbey
- Swim, sauna, paddleboard, walk, watch the red deer, cook outside and look at the stars through the telescope.
- Walk straight out from the door. David has created 4 waymarked routes with maps and route markers to help you head straight out into the countryside.
- Climb Ruberslaw, the great hill rising above the farm. The rocky summit has huge views across the Scottish Borders.
- There’s a nice pub and an Italian restaurant 10 mins’ drive away.
- Head into Hawick for its famous cashmere and tweed mills – some still manufacturing here – and a dram at The Borders Distillery. (20 mins’ drive)
- Spend an afternoon in Melrose, tucked beneath the Eildon Hills with independent shops, good places to eat and the magnificent ruins of Melrose Abbey.
- Bring bikes. Claire is a keen cyclist and loves the quiet country roads and trails that spread out in every direction from the farm.
- For a bigger day out, head east towards St Abb’s Head – dramatic sea cliffs and coastal walks, plus sandy beaches and castles to explore.
Details.
- A secluded cabin amongst 1,600 of farmland, with its own mini loch
- Strictly adults only
- Open-plan, split level layout, with a super-kingsize bed upstairs and a living area downstairs
- Full kitchen with gas hob and fridge (no diswasher / washing machine)
- Basic supplies & a few welcome goodies
- Lounge area with board games, books, maps, binoculars & telescope
- Downstairs bathroom with shower
- Robes, sauna hats, sauna towels & Laura Thomas toiletries
- Decking with wood-fired bath
- Gozney wood-fired / gas pizza oven plus alfresco dining table
- Paddleboards & life jackets
- Yoga mats
- Breakfast hampers and meat boxes on request, with meat reared on this farm (see FAQ)
- Mobile signal and 4G but no WiFi or TV
- Dog friendly – see FAQ
- Park outside, or 100m up the hill if you prefer
- Drive to a shop, pub and Italian restaurant (10 mins) or into Hawick for more choice (20 mins)
- Booking conditions: a 2-night minimum stay during the week, and 3 nights over a weekend. Check in/out days are Mon, Weds & Fri in winter (Oct through April), and Mon or Fri in summer (May through Sept)
- Remember to pack: swimmers, outdoor footwear and warm outdoor clothing. Flip flops may be useful too
Simple
30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £40 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay. These terms also apply to any booking amendments or date changes.
See our full booking Ts & Cs
FAQs.
Check in/out days are Mon, Weds & Fri in winter (Oct through April), and Mon or Fri in summer (May through Sept).
Yes, up to 2 well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads when walking in the surrounding areas, and cannot be left unattended. An outdoor tap is provided to rinse them after walks, as are dog towels. Please BYO bedding and bowls. There is a surcharge of £40/dog/stay.
- Breakfast Box, £19 for 2 people (sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, sourdough)
- BBQ Box, £39 for 2 people (fillet, sirloin or rump steaks, plus 6 sausages, 2 burgers, tomatoes and mushrooms)
- Rule Water Venison BBQ Box, £35 for 2 people (2 haunch venison steaks, 6 venison sausages, 2 venison burgers, 250g diced venison haunch)
All meat has been reared on this farm.
Completely private, with its own private lochan. The only thing to keep you company is wildlife and the herd of beautiful red deer who share the hillside location with guests (in their fenced off acres, of course).
Unfortunately not, it’s a 2-night min stay, and 3 nights over weekend.
No, the cabin is strictly adults only due to the proximity of the lochan.
Not dramatically. The cabin is solar powered with 240v sockets, plenty of indoor and outdoor lighting, a fridge, and a logburner plus gas cooker inside. Outside there’s a BB&/pizza oven which is wood or gas fired.
There is limited hot water on site, so instead of a long shower, we’d recommend you have a long dip in your woodfired hot tub.
It’s not an exact science but approximately 1 hour in summer and 1.5-3 hours in winter. It’s best to light the fire and go and do something else while it warms.
Yes, you’ll be given a map of marked routes, which start at the door of your cabin.
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