Plan A Visit
Educational Visits
Group Visits
The Scottish Borders
Bowhill House & Gardens
The Buccleuch Collection
History
Bowhill House Gardens
House Tours
Love & Respect Victorian Age Exhibition
The Adventure Playground
The Victorian Kitchen
Walking and Hiking
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Fishing
Ranger Service
Stay
Contact
Borders Estate
Borders Estate encompasses Bowhill but it also includes non-adjoining areas such as Melrose’s famous Eildon Hills, East Buccleuch, Branxholm and Eckford. Branxholm Castle, near Hawick, was the Scott family base for some 500 years throughout the turbulent period of Border raids.
Bowhill House lies in a beautiful setting a mile above the confluence of the Ettrick and Yarrow Rivers, two of the tributaries of the famous River Tweed. This is the heart of the ancient Ettrick Forest, a favourite hunting ground for the Kings of Scotland for hundreds of years. Newark Castle, one mile north of Bowhill, was used as a hunting lodge.
The original Bowhill House was built in 1708, but was completely remodelled in 1812. There were many additions to the House during the 19th century and over this period it evolved to become the natural home of the Scott family. The grounds around the house were extensively landscaped during the 19th century, including the creation of a scenic loch.
Forestry
The woodlands on Borders Estate have been carefully curated and managed for centuries. A mix of species and age, both the commercial conifer and broadleaf woodlands and amenity areas are designed to consider the wider landscape and safeguard enhanced biodiversity. The commercial forests have been certified under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard for over 20 years.
Unfortunately many Larch trees across the UK are succumbing to a very aggressive disease called Phytophora Ramorum, and we remain vigilant for signs of the disease across the estate. For more information on the impact this is having on our woodlands please read our news article.
Agriculture
On Borders Estate, the farms sit comfortably with the wider operations. Employing progressive farming methods ensures the estate’s pedigree cattle, sheep flocks and red deer are cared for to the highest standards.
The in-hand agriculture enterprise also drives an anaerobic digester (AD) plant, converting animal waste to electricity for both the farming operations and the Ground Source Heat Pump which heats Bowhill House all year round.
Preserving our shared heritage
As you will discover when you visit, walking round the magnificent Bowhill House and Borders Estate gives you an incredible sense of history. It inspires a duty in us to protect this gem of our national heritage, as well as the beautiful natural lands that surround it.
Property
If you’re looking for the perfect country cottage, you might just have found it. Set amidst some of Scotland’s most picturesque countryside, Borders Estate provides a haven away from the hustle and bustle of town dwelling. Our properties are situated across the Scottish Borders within an easy commuting distance of Edinburgh and with the opening of the new rail line in 2015, the Borders has never seemed closer to the rest of Scotland.
