Rural Retreats - Southern Scotland

Staying with Scotland’s Best B&Bs means you can be sure of high standards and enjoy a rural retreat with a very personal, warm welcome from your hosts.

The South of Scotland (including Ayrshire, Kintyre, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders) has something for everyone with:

• STUNNING SCENERY - rolling hills, magnificent forests, lochs and miles of unspoilt coastline.
• OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES - scenic walks, mountain biking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, surfing, Dark Skies Park and more.
• HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS - dozens of castles, the romantic Border Abbeys, Robert Burns country, and Abbotsford - the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Glentress Forest and Tweed Valley / Ayr beach / St Abb's Head (Scottish Borders)

Photos courtesy of VisitScotland by Ian Rutherford / Damian Shields / Kenny Lam

Stay with Scotland's Best B&Bs in the Scottish Borders

Mill House B&B

This 4 Star GOLD B&B is in a converted 18th century mill near Kelso. It is less than 2 miles from the English border and ideal for visiting the Berwickshire/Northumberland coastline, as well as the historic Border towns of Kelso, Melrose and Jedburgh with their famous Abbey ruins. Mill House is perfect for walkers as it is at the end of The Pennine Way and also close to St Cuthbert’s Way Trail from Melrose to Lindisfarne. Choice of 5 spacious rooms/suites (double, twin, family). A full Scottish breakfast is served in the panelled Dining Room. Guests can also relax on the patio or in the drawing room with open fire. BOOK NOW

Stay with Scotland's Best B&Bs in Dumfries and Galloway

Southpark House

This 4 Star GOLD B&B sits on the edge of the market town of Dumfries. Relax in spacious grounds with spectacular panoramic views over the Nithsdale valley. Choice of stylish ensuite double, twin and single rooms. Hearty Scottish breakfasts with local produce. This scenic area offers mountain biking, walking, pony trekking, wildlife watching, fishing and golf. Close to the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, as well as the Solway coast and beaches. Historic sites nearly include Robert Burns House, Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, Caerlaverock Castle and Drumlanrig Castle. BOOK NOW

Stay with Scotland's Best B&Bs in Ayrshire

Ayrs & Graces Bed & Breakfast

This 5 Star GOLD B&B is in the pretty village of Alloway, near the Robbie Burns museum and Brig O’Doon. Just 3 miles from Ayr, this boutique B&B is in an ideal location to explore the south west of Scotland, enjoy Ayrshire's famous golf courses, or discover historic attractions such as Culzean Castle and Dumfries House. Choice of 3 ensuite rooms/suites. Two are on the ground floor with patio doors leading to the terrace, while the Brig o' Doon suite is situated upstairs. Delicious homebaking is served in the sumptuous lounge on arrival. Enjoy a wee nightcap of complimentary Malt Whisky. Breakfast can be served in the Dining Room overlooking the garden, or on the 40 feet long heated balcony with views across the Ayrshire Valley. BOOK NOW

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

You can explore the rolling countryside with walking trails such as the Southern Upland Way, the Annandale Way and Mull of Galloway Trail, or be more adventurous at the 7stanes mountain biking centres in the forests of Southern Scotland. Fishing on the River Tweed, golf, horse riding and surfing are also popular pursuits.

Mountain biking in the Glentress forest. Photo copyright David N. Anderson / Visit Scotland

EXPLORE MORE RURAL RETREATS IN SCOTLAND:

Rural Retreats in Central Scotland (Edinburgh area, Perthshire, Fife)

Rural Retreats in North East Scotland (Angus and Dundee, Aberdeenshire)

Rural Retreats in the Scottish Highlands (Loch Ness, Lochaber, North Coast 500, Isle of Skye)