Chalybeate
Chalybeate yurt sits at the secluded southern edge of an 800 acre forest in the Scottish Borders. You can tramp off road, explore the ancient drove roads that pass by within a kilometre, and hike into the Pentland hills. Come home to a wood fired hot tub under the stars, listen to the birdsong and watch the sun set over the hills.
the bees & the birds
Roe deer, honey buzzards, red kites, swallows and wagtails, heron, swifts and jays, lapwings are your closest neighbours. You can pick wild garlic and early nettles – we will leave you seasonal foraging recipes! Expect to see snowdrops in winter, wild narcissi in spring, gorse, broom and the summer wild orchids, vetch, plantain, mouse ear hawkweed, and ox-eye daisies. You can mark the passing of the seasons as the geese arrive to overwinter at Westwater reservoir.
sounds
This is a yurt with a difference. Powered by our own small wind turbine, there's an elegant small kitchen fully equipped to whip up delicious meals for alfresco dining, or on the bistro table indoors. Bend your head down and go through a secret door into the snug with your own library of photography & art books, nature writing, novels and classics, a comfy sofa and a writer’s desk. Pick some vinyl from the yurt’s Summer selection – from Shakespeare to Sinatra, from Gladys Knight & the Pips to Prince – and soak up the tunes from the turntable.
hammock, tub & stars
Walk directly from the yurt to a campfire, hammock and on into the woods. The inside/outside shower has a split door to let you gaze out to the huge beech tree before stepping onto the decking direct to the wood-fired hot-tub with its shelf for drinks and curved bench for seating. The tub seats 6 people, so you have space to totally stretch out and relax . The views are breath-taking and the birds sing to you from nearby and from the forest behind.
Yurt for 2
| 1 King Size Bed |
Availability
Check-in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays ↓
Can’t get your preferred dates? Or fancy travelling with friends? Check out our neighbours, Wilderkin
Location
The nearest village is Carlops, 2 km walk. The conservation village of West Linton is 4 km, with three food shops, pub, tea room and village green .
Driving from North, take A702 south past Carlops, turning left immediately after the 20mph ends sign, signposted Macbiehill and Lamancha. Drive for 1.5 km. You will see a forest on your left, our track is on the left in front of the forest, with the wind turbine visible in the field.
Drive along the track for 200 metres, and turn sharp right into the short track signposted Chalybeate. Walk along the grass path for 100 metres.
An electric car charger is in the lean to next to the house.
Amy and Peter raised their family of three here at Chalybeate, and welcome you to this beautiful, remote and wild spot in the Scottish Borders. The small farm is run off a wind turbine, and is organic, producing its own green vegetables and soft fruit and apples. There is an electric car charger available. They live in the 18th Century farmhouse 200m past the yurt, and will set the hot tub going for you, so you can begin your time here with total relaxation. They have had fun designing the library and vinyl record collection for your visit.
Public Transport
The Stagecoach 101 Dumfries bus takes around an hour from Edinburgh. Ask the driver to let you off in Carlops, and walk up the Macbiehill/Lamancha road until you reach the limekilns at the bottom of the steep hill. You can walk through the gate opposite the limekilns and walk the .7 km track through the silverbirches along the burn, turning left up the hill, and carry on to the farm track, where you will find the grass path to the yurt. This takes around 40 mins with some steep hills.
Plane
The nearest airport is Edinburgh, around 30 mins drive. There is no bus that connects directly. If you hire a car or take a taxi, leave the airport towards Edinburgh, head for the A720 bypass, turning south down the A702 and follow driving instructions.
Seasonal restaurants like The Free Company in the Pentland Hills, with its gourmet six course meals. Advance booking essential and always worth going on the waiting list if it’s full. https://www.the-free-company.com/
The Gordon Arms in West Linton has a fantastic chef (and is dog friendly!) and The Pyet Deli has super vegan pizzas as well as locally farmed meat. And both have open fires.
Also in West Linton, the Pyet Deli, the Co-op, and the Old Toll Teahouse for picnics and groceries.
Extensive miles of tracks criss-cross the Pentlands Hills.
You can walk to Edinburgh, to the lochs towards Balerno, and explore the drove roads that brought cattle hundreds of miles off road from the Highlands, through the Scottish Borders, all the way to London. We provide maps of all the local walks and the Pentlands, including the drove roads to Peebles.
The organic farm Whitmuir is 4 miles west, with its fresh vegetables, shop, café permaculture walks, chickens, pigs, sheep and cattle https://www.whitmuir.scot
The conservation village of West Linton is 3 miles away, which holds a monthly Saturday market of artisan foods and crafts. http://westlintonmarket.co.uk/
Within two miles is the historic hamlet of Carlops, with its monthly artisan market, and pub/restaurant with rooms, The Allan Ramsay. https://carlops.net/home/
12 miles south is Glentress, with its miles of mountain biking paradise, courses for all ages
http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/glentress#bike
Dawick Arboretum offers magnificent walks through 65 acres of established rare trees snowdrops and blue poppies https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/dawyck-botanic-garden/
Stobo Castle Spa, with its luxurious infinity pool and delectable spa treatments, is 14 miles south, and close to Dawick and Peebles https://www.stobocastle.co.uk/spa/
The thriving market town of Peebles is well worth a visit – with its range of eateries and craft shops, chocolate factory, swimming pool, pubs, hotels, theatre and Saturday market.
http://www.peebles-theroyalburgh.info/
The Moffat Hills are home to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project https://www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk/
There are 20 golf courses in the Borders: https://www.scottishgolfcourses.com/borders/
If you have glutted on the open air and nature you can drive into Edinburgh for the Botanic Gardens, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, and succulent eateries. Our recommendations are left for you in yurt.
