IN THE COUNTRY…
Luxe country vibes on your doorstep that everyone will love
FOR DOGS OWNERS
Ailidh Forlan takes her four-legged friend for a weekend treat in the Borders
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f all the nicknames bestowed upon Panko, our lovable eight-month-old cockapoo, none felt more fitting than “Lord Pankington” when staying at the Schloss Roxburghe, a 12th century majestic manor house in Kelso. Indeed, whilst he napped on a luxurious tweed mattress (initially presented with a homemade shortbread bone that didn’t touch the sides), we too felt like royalty awaking in starchy linen bliss, in our four-poster king to sip on coffee and watch as the early morning fog, lit by sunrise, gently lifted over the manicured croquet lawn.
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This was our first time staycationing with Panko and it might have just ruined us. From fresh logs intentionally thrown onto the Drawing Room’s grand roaring fire, perfectly timed with the end of our picturesque countryside stroll, to the unnecessarily kind plate of haggis brought to our table at dinner, should Panko be feeling left out whilst we tucked into ours - there was no shortage of considered small touches to make our stay that bit more enjoyable. We ate in the oak panelled, tartan carpeted, totally charming library bar; a cosy and suitably elegant dog-friendly alternative to the main Sunlaws restaurant. The room oozes Scottishness, in a stylish, classy way, and that extended through to the multiple menus peppered with produce from their very own estate. The evening drew to a close with a romantic night time swing onlooking the lit up turret of the hotel; it felt like something out of a movie (in my head I was Keira Knightly in Atonement), a
peaceful moment shared only between us and the deep soft hooting owls. It all now felt like ours; a much needed retreat from city centre life, our own blissful home away from home. Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso, TD5 8JZ, 01573 450331, schlosshotel-roxburghe.com
