Help Us Be Green

Throughout the hotel:

• Low energy light bulbs are used.
• Sensor lighting has been installed in public areas
• Towels only changed when not on towel rail in bathroom, towels in bath or shower means change please.
• All glass, cans, paper and cardboard are collected for recycling.
• Old furniture donated to charity (where possible).
• All printer cartridges/toners are recycled.
• All batteries are recycled.
• Use of electronic communications (email) before using print based (paper). 
• We harvest rainwater for use in the hotel grounds. 
• We have an electric car charging point on-site

Where is your best local place to see the stars? It could be closer than you think… It will be somewhere a little away from direct streetlighting, with good sightlines that aren’t blocked by buildings or trees. 

Dark Sky Discovery

As a guest we would ask you to help by:

• Turning off any lights when not in use.
• Turning off the TV instead of using the standby.
• Turn down the heating if it is too hot.
• Unplugging any electrical equipment when not in use.
• Reusing your towels where possible.

Should you have any further suggestions, please let us know.

Green Activities in the Scottish Borders

There are plentiful walks all around the Scottish Borders, near to the hotel is the local Philiphaugh Estate featuring a range of walks. Harestanes is nearby with plenty of country side walks. For the more advanced walkers try the southern upland way, Three Brethern or The local Eildon Hills!

On the Berwickshire Coast, St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve is maintained by The National Trust and is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.  The waters from St Abbs to Eyemouth are a designated Marine Nature Reserve and afford some of the best diving in the UK.

There are four Border Abbeys: Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh although in ruins still evoke a strong sense of their former glory. Floors Castle in Kelso is the largest inhabited castle in Scotland.  The castle, grounds, gardens and restaurant are open Apr – Oct.

For the more adventurous the Tweed Valley Forests of Glentress and Innerleithen coupled with Newcastleton offer some of the best Mountain Biking in the UK and are all part of the 7stanes centres of mountain biking excellence.

Details of Cycle hire are available at the link below:

Cycle Hire

Green Tourism

See some Nature whilst out and about? 
Record it using the link below:

Nature Monitoring Chart

Non Native Species

Local Produce

Throughout the hotel, where possible we like to support Local Businesses and use Local Produce!

We currently have a range of Local Real Ales from Born in The Borders. The fantastic Range features the classics such as Foxy Blonde, Game Bird and Dark Horse along with the award winning Rebel Yell Bitter.

Read their ‘Plough to Pint Story’ here: Born in the Borders

We also feature a wide range of Scottish Gins including Blackwoods, Caoruun, Hendricks and of course the hugely popular Edinburgh Gins. Our specialty Gin in the Local Lilliard Gin which is a small batch gin is handcrafted in a tiny copper still, using ingredients found & foraged in the Scottish Borders. Light and with a complex floral palette, it reflects our landscape and the abundant natural resources of the Southern Scottish Valleys.

Read more about Lilliard Small Batch Gin here; Lilliard Gin

We have now turned to a Scottish supplier for our Ciders. We want to offer our guests a true selection of Scottish fayre, so we researched and found the fabulous Thistly Cross Cider. They have a huge selection available which is proving incredibly popular in our bar and restaurant. Based at the Cider Shed just outside Dunbar, in the heart of the East Lothian countryside just over an hour away from the hotel.

Check out the Thistly Cross Cider page here; Thistly Cross Cider

As expected in Scotland we have a variety of Malt Whisky – we are sure you will find your favorite in our collection! Malt Whisky is Scotland’s national drink of choice – it is the ‘original’ whisky of Scotland. Malt whisky is made only from malted barley, in two (occasionally three) copper pot stills, by a batch process. ‘Single’ malt whisky is the product of an individual distillery.