Castle stays with a seasonal twist
In the Scottish Borders, history can feel wonderfully tangible, with castles that double as both stately homes and guest accommodation. In December, wreath workshops, falconry, and candlelit dinners are added into the mix, creating festive stays packed with character.
Thirlestane Castle in Lauder isn’t just one of Scotland’s oldest inhabited castles – it’s also one of its finest, with a history dating back to the 13th century as a border fort to protect Edinburgh. Still home to the Maitland family, it comes with a ballroom, stables and ceilings dripping with 17th-century gilt. Christmas stays here can include dining under its glittering ceilings, falconry in the frosty grounds, as well as activities including archery and clay shooting. Tours reveal ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots, plus a treasure trove of portraits and busts.
Not far away, in Kelso, Floors Castle takes the crown as Scotland’s largest inhabited castle. Built in the 1720s for the Duke of Roxburghe, holiday cottages across the estate offer self-catering winter stays, complete with riverside trails and woodland walks on the doorstep. An annual wreath-making workshop is a December highlight, and while the castle shuts for the season, the estate café and deli continue to serve a range of produce from the region. The grounds are also open for brisk winter rambles.
While Floors Castle looks outward across its vast estate, Abbotsford draws visitors into the imaginative world of author Sir Walter Scott, often regarded as the father of the modern historical novel in Britain. His Scottish Borders estate stages Christmas with literary flair, offering group stays in the Hope Scott Wing (eight double bedrooms and optional hot tub), alongside a programme of festive storytelling, guided tours, and seasonal decorations in the main house from 22 November to 31 December 2025. Just a short drive away, Scott’s View – one of the author’s favourite panoramas – offers a far-reaching outlook over the River Tweed and Eildon Hills. Outside, visitors can also add alpaca trekking, golf or clay shooting to their stay.
If Abbotsford reflects one man’s romantic vision, Bowhill House in Selkirk tells the story of a great Scottish Borders dynasty. Seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch, it mixes grandeur with a family-friendly streak. Visitors can stay in cottages, apartments or camping spots, then head out on woodland trails with views over the Ettrick Valley. December brings seasonal events inside the house.
Rounding off the list, Carberry Tower sits just beyond the Scottish Borders in East Lothian, with stories to rival its southern neighbours – Mary Queen of Scots surrendered here in 1567 following a rebellion among Scottish lords. Today, this mansion house hotel is set amid 40 acres of parkland, with afternoon teas, whisky tastings, and golf courses all within easy reach. The landscaped grounds invite wintry strolls, and when the Christmas lights of Glasgow are calling, the city is a one-hour drive away.
Experiences beyond the castle gates
Not every festive memory needs a chandelier overhead. The Scottish Borders make it easy to mix castle living with astronomy, spa hotels and whisky tours across southern Scotland and northern England.
Start by looking up. Around a 90-minute drive from Kelso, Kielder Observatory sits at the heart of Europe’s largest Dark Sky Park, Northumberland National Park, where winter nights are renowned for their clear skies. Visitors can join telescope tours, astrophotography talks, or family astronomy sessions under the stars. Winter 2025 also brings a new outpost at the Twice Brewed Inn near Hadrian’s Wall, complete with planetarium, telescopes, dining, and rooms for a star-struck sleepover.
And when the music fades, there’s always whisky. Less than an hour from numerous towns in the Scottish Borders, Glenkinchie in East Lothian is one of the Lowlands’ few distilleries. Its visitor centre, opened in 2020, guides visitors through the story of single malt before tastings in a glass-fronted room overlooking the rolling countryside. A warming detour for winter days, it can provide a spirited finish to a Scottish Borders break.
