Our Green Policy

As owners, we are aware it is our duty to protect the local environment and to ensure that is is unspoilt for future generations to enjoy as much as we do.

We want to tell you about the beautiful local countryside. We have local ponds and woodland which promote the growth of insects, birds, animals and wild flowers. The photo on the right was taken in the garden of Dimpleknowe Cottage, and shows a Blue Tit & a Chaffinch enjoying their natural environment. This is only one of many breeds of birds which are regular visitors.

For a personal view of the countryside, click here to read a Precis of the Year written by the Laird of Dimpleknowe.

We encourage you to recycle whenever possible. The local council collect on a Friday, and a recycling bag is provided in both properties to enable the recycling of aluminium cans & cardboard/paper. There are bottle banks in both Lilliesleaf & Ashkirk for glass recycling.

Please be energy efficient - switch off lights when they are not required and only use the central heating when it is necessary.

We are aware that chemicals can damage the environment - we therefore provide eco-friendly cleaning materials in both properties.

We encourage you to save water by showering instead of bathing.

Local Produce

Organic free range eggs purchased at Synton Parkhead Farm just up the road on the way to the main A7. What better than a fresh boiled egg for breakfast?

Selkirk Bannock is extremely good and a local speciality and may be obtained at the small bakers shop in the middle of the High Street in Selkirk - Camerons Bakery. A present to take home.

Farmers Markets in Hawick every 3rd Friday, Jedburgh every 1st Friday and Kelso every 4th Saturday each month. You do need to check Kelso market day sometimes it is not on a Saturday but on a Friday.

Locally reared meat is available at Martin Baird Butcher Market Street, Melrose - a very high class butcher.

Cheese at Standhill Farm Nr Lilliesleaf. Delicious soft cheese - definitely worth a visit.

Jammy Coo Art and Coffee shop Lilliesleaf. Delicious home baking with soup and rolls. Highly recommended.

Award winning Haggis is available at Lindsay Grieve Butcher in the High Street Hawick.

Why not spend a morning making fresh pasta, scrumptious puddings or baking cakes, all using fresh local produce? TFC Food Services, also based near Lilliesleaf, offer one to one professional cookery sessions in the comfort of your self catering kitchen or come along to our country training kitchen at TFC. Contact TFC Food Services for more details.

Outdoor Activities on the Doorstep

A Country Walk from Dimpleknowe

This interesting walking route will take you around quiet country lanes and tracks. The walk is approximately four miles long and is suitable for all walking abilities. You are welcome to take dogs, but please keep them under control. There is one locked gate on the route. Please ask me for a key, and return it after use.

You will enjoy walking amongst lovely hedgerows and wild flowers. Look out for the protected marsh orchid, they are pink in colour. There is an abundance of wildlife; you may see deer, foxes, badgers, pheasants, hares and rabbits. The sky is alive with singing birds, notably Skylarks, Pewits and Curlews. Woodpeckers can also be heard. Unfortunately Britain's smaller birds have been declining in recent years, being replaced by larger Buzzards, Sparrow Hawks and Kestrels. In springtime you will see lambs skipping and dancing in the grassy fields.

Start by Leaving Dimpleknowe at the T-junction and head straight up the road past Dimpleknowe Cottage and the pond where you will often see wild Duck and Moorhens.

Follow the road to Synton Parkhead Organic Farm. Turn right just before the farmhouse onto a stony track. Travel along the track for approximately 0.75 miles - do not turn left up to Peace Cottage, keep on the lower track until you pass a white bungalow on your right. Continue up the woodland track. You will then come to a locked gate with a sign saying 'Please Close the Gate'. Unlock, Continue through, and then lock the gate, walking up a slight hill till you reach the next gate, again 'Please Close the Gate'.

You will have reached a cottage on your right called The Corse. This brings you onto a small public road. Turn right and the route continues downhill to Synton Mill. As you walk you will enjoy views to the Eildon Hills ahead, The Cheviot Hills to the right and the Penielheugh Monument near Nisbet.

Beyond the attractive setting of Synton Mill you wind up the hill and back to Dimpleknowe.

Cycling

Dimpleknowes location is perfect for cycling - there are numerous quiet country lanes in the local vicinity as well as cycle routes throughout the Scottish Borders. For more information and to hire bikes and tandems, please see this website.