Ettrick Valley Yurts, Newburgh, Borders

Reviewed by the O’May family from Kippen

After a long, late-evening drive in the rain, it was a pleasure to arrive at Ettrick Valley Yurts near Selkirk. The yurt was cosy and welcoming, with the woodburning stove already lit and a selection of hot drinks and biscuits waiting for us.

The yurt was surprisingly spacious inside and could easily sleep six, so there was more than enough room for our family of four. The seating converted into beds at night and there was a plentiful supply of duvets, pillows and blankets to make for a very cosy evening. The yurt had a gas stove/grill, a water supply and a cool box with ice for any chilled items.

The following morning the sun was shining and we could appreciate the wonderful glen. All was very peaceful, with just the distant sounds of a tractor, the bleating of new-born lambs and the call of the oystercatchers swooping over the nearby burn.

There’s plenty to do and see in the area, including horse-riding, fishing, paragliding, cycling, kayaking, Go-Ape outdoor adventures, as well as numerous cultural and historical sites. However, despite this, we were enjoying the peace and quiet so much that we opted to stay around the yurt all weekend. Each yurt is surrounded by a decked area, with a fire pit and barbecue, which we made good use of. Our two boys, Murray and Gregor, spent the days playing in the nearby river building a dam, playing football and toasting marshmallows at the fire pit.

This is a wonderful place for a getaway; owners Nick, Natasha and little Mary were extremely warm and welcoming and are doing a wonderful job with this glampsite. Prices from £120 per night midweek