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  • Harmony Cottage - Harmony Gardens - Scottish Lowlands - 1060385 - photo 1
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Harmony Cottage - Harmony Gardens

(Ref. 1060385)

Melrose, Scottish Borders Show on map

4.2

Sykes rating

  • 4 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (16)
  • kitchen (11)
  • location (9)
  • comfortable (9)
  • stay (7)
  • abbey (7)

20 Customer Reviews

  • "We had a great stay here."

    Well equipped cottage. Brilliant location. For very tall males using the toilet/shower facilities required some adjustments (feedback from someone 1.9m tall). Perhaps difficult to warn people about this. Hence why I rated a bit lower for comfort.

    Reviewed by RoxanaFeb 2024

  • "Harmony Cottage is such a pretty cottage by the Abbey."

    The cottage was beautiful and clean, with everything you could possibly need. Lovely and warm and with stunning views to the Abbey. Gordon the National Trust for Scotland manager was really friendly and welcoming. Lovely stay. Thank you to everyone.

    Reviewed by SamanthaSep 2023

  • "We enjoyed our holiday."

    I think the carpets could do with a clean as rather dirty. I think it would have been nice if milk was out especially when you travel for 6 hours. The national trust misses a trick by not doing basic things like Leaving milk for guests. Thanks

    Thank you very much for your feedback and we are glad you enjoyed your holiday. We have noted your comment about the carpets. Our apologies we think the housekeeping team have just forgotten to put the milk in as our standard setup includes a pint of milk as well as shortbread. Property Owner

    Reviewed by CiceraJul 2023

  • "We had read some negative comments about the cottage but it seems all the concerns had been addressed."

    It was spotless throughout, the kitchen was well equipped, there was no problem with the hot water upstairs. Games, some book and tourist information were provided. It was very quirky as some of the old features had been retained, As it was the Borders Book Festival we had to park in the public car park for most of the time, but there was on street parking nearby which would probably be available at other times.

    Many thanks for your feedback, we do endeavour to respond to any problems that are highlighted and it is great to read that you found any issues to have been dealt with. We look forward to welcoming you back anytime. Property Owner

    Reviewed by DerekJun 2023

  • "We use this cottage every year and know that it is basic but warm clean and comfortable."

    It is a perfect base for the Borders and within easy walking distance of shops and buses. 5 o'clock entry is a bit late. It would be better if it could be 3 or 4.

    From the property managers in Melrose - We can always be contacted prior to arrival to check and see if an earlier check-in will be available; if the property is clean and weekly compliance checks have been completed, then more than happy to give early access. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AlvysMar 2023

  • "Beautiful cottage in a fantastic location with a nice garden."

    Fixtures and fittings a little basic Hot water fine from kitchen downstairs but water from shower upstairs not hot enough.

    Reviewed by RonaldDec 2022

  • "Everything was great, we had a very enjoyable stay at Harmony Cottage."

    Kitchen was very well equipped. It's in a super location so close to town and right across the road from the abbey.

    Reviewed by HowardDec 2022

  • "Harmony Cottage was handsome, comfortable and well-appointed, with a good range of kitchen and other equipment."

    Excellent value for this very high-quality accommodation.

    Reviewed by MarkOct 2022

  • "An excellent stay in lovely Melrose which has a train station nearby and great independent shops on the high street."

    The accommodation was excellent, warm, clean, and comfortable, and it felt great to be assisting a heritage organisation by renting it. Everything was as described and the communication with Sykes excellent. A few minor maintenance issues, maybe they should leave a form for this. These were, a bulb out in a kitchen display unit, a drooping curtain rail letting a bit of light in, and a wobbly loo seat. Otherwise, great!

    Reviewed by MarieOct 2022

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay."

    The location of the cottage is excellent. It is very comfortable, and it was absolutely spotless.The beds are really comfy and the bedding is extremely good quality. Should you want to cook, the kitchen is well equipped, but there are also numerous eating places in Melrose. The wee garden area is a real sun trap. After dark, the views of the floodlit abbey are spectacular.

    Thank you very much .your kind words about Harmony Cottage. We hope to welcome you back to Melrose. Property Owner

    Reviewed by RobertAug 2022

  • "I love this cottage and have visited it several times over the years."

    It is a quirky place that may not be the most luxurious but it has an ambience all of its own. It is in a wonderful location with views of the abbey and the hills, within walking distance of restaurants, pubs and shops, has its own little garden, and still has many of its original features. Parking can be a problem during the day but we always managed to park close to the cottage in the evening. The cottage now has Wi-Fi which, nowadays, is becoming necessary and is helpful. I can recommend this cottage and will be back again.

    Thank you very much for the positive feedback. Lovely to read that you enjoyed your return visit to Harmony Cottage and we look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AileenAug 2022

  • "We spent three nights at Harmony Cottage in Melrose and had an amazing time but the cottage is not perfect."

    Pros: - Amazing location. Right next to Melrose Abbey and all of the lovely shops. The river Tweed is five minutes walk away. Two beautiful walled gardens within a minute's walk. A stone's throw from amazing ice cream shop :o) - Everything works. So far as I'm aware! The hot water is plentiful, the dishwasher works, the shower is okay, the beds are comfy etc. There is now working Wifi, although it cuts out occasionally but it comes back soon. - Great for dogs. The outside space is limited and all paved but its a pleasant sun trap and there are loads of grassy spaces a minute's walk away. Lots of really beautiful long walks on your doorstep. Lots of the cafes and shops in Melrose allow dogs on leads. Cons: - Parking is tricky. There is a paid car park two minutes walk away but its a bit far to lug all the stuff you need for a self catering holiday. There is parking within about 15 metres of the cottage but there are no spaces until about 5.30pm or first thing in the morning. We parked in the car park then re-parked nearer the cottage in the evenings. - In our opinion, this cottage is overpriced. Its fairly expensive but not luxurious. Furniture is functional but pretty basic. There is new seating furniture in the living room which is okay but the room is still arranged badly. Carpets are brown and drab. The hallway is dark and pretty depressing. Think a small step up from a good youth hostel and you get the idea. So £500 for three nights is, in our opinion, too expensive. - This cottage isn't loved. There is no visitors book, there are no fun extras like jigsaws or board games. Its obvious that it is owned by an organisation. It ticks the boxes it needs too, but that's it. For example; it can sleep four people and there are four mugs. Bare minimum, functional but not exciting. If you are looking for a dog friendly, town centre, functional place to stay - go for it. We had loads of fun at Harmony Cottage.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your valued feedback. We are delighted that you found the cottage to be an excellent location with many surrounding options on it’s doorstep; also that the cottage delivered with comfy beds, good hot water and the required facilities. We do also acknowledge your comments on where we could have enhanced the property to match all of your expectations and we are sorry not to meet them on this occasion; we do value and take on board all your comments and will review where possible. Property Owner

    Reviewed by EileenAug 2022

  • "As an NTS property it keeps its historical features so its quirky but clean, cosy and comfortable."

    The new lounge furniture is a big improvement. We have been using the property for 7 years now and love it. Its so central for the Borders. When the wifi is fitted which I believe is happening it will be even better. Looking forward to our next visit already. The NTS staff are very pleasant and helpful.

    Thank you very much for your feedback and we are pleased to read that you acknowledge the changes we have made in Harmony Cottage. We look forward to welcoming you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AlvysMar 2022

  • "This could be a really lovely holiday cottage."

    Sadly it isn't. Pros: warm with comfortable beds, opposite the Abbey and very close to the centre of Melrose. Cons: the sitting room must be the most charmless room I have encountered in a holiday cottage for 35 years. The furniture looks like Auction house rejects, is badly arranged and the chairs and sofa are very uncomfortable. There is no WiFi and consequently no TV streaming service. I think people do expect WiFi these days. The kitchen only has the lights under the kitchen units and one table lamp. Not enough light for a kitchen. The stairs are steep and narrow which can't be helped. One of the bedrooms has the radiator behind the wardrobe. The windows are painted shut so it's impossible to air the rooms. The drawers are stiff so it would be easy to pull the whole drawer unit over. This gets annoying as the week goes on. The bathroom is the worst room. The shower screen doesn't move so it's really difficult to get in and out of the bath while also avoiding the low ceiling. It would be impossible to bath a young child. The towel rail/radiator doesn't heat up and obviously needs bleeding. The air extractor doesn't work and condensation drips on your head when you get out of the bath. The shower is integral to the taps and these never work properly. The toilet seat is loose and the toilet roll holder is badly placed. The taps drip. No handle on inside of door. Outside there is a small terrace which would be perfect for a picnic table and there is room for a bench beside the front door. There are steps up to the gate but no handrail. The gate is sometimes fiddly to open. There was no visitors book. This might be a Covid restriction but the information people leave about nice places to visit and eat is always useful. If the cottage belonged to a person, they would look after it and love it, but clearly no one from the Scottish National Trust has looked at it from the customers point of view. I understand that they want to preserve its heritage but comfortable furniture wouldn't interfere with that.

    Reviewed by JaniceMar 2022

  • "Well situated quirky cottage in a great location for Melrose and neighbouring towns and villages."

    The chairs in the living room (club chairs) are really uncomfortable with the springs broken in one of the chairs. The beds were however comfortable so did have a good nights sleep. Few light bulbs out including the outside front door one which we went away and replaced prior to a visit from a member of the National Trust who came to see us on the Monday ( we arrived on the Saturday) could do with main lights in the kitchen and living room being replaced as the side lamps do not provide enough light for reading especially on an evening. Shower was black with mould but was easily cleaned with 5 minutes time and effort. Given the previous feedback about this maybe the cleaners/owners need to make sure this is sorted. Parking was not a real issue for us and only once during our weekly stay we were unable to park outside the property. This is clear in the booking so that was fine. We did put some adaptation to the gate as we have a wee dog that easily would have got out onto the road. Just mesh and a few strip ties did the trick and enabled us to let her out without worrying about her getting out. This said, we absolutely loved our stay and would if changes regarding the living room chairs were changed we would happily love to come and stay again.

    Reviewed by MichelleOct 2021

  • "The cottage was fairly clean and it was warm."

    The beds were comfortable but the seating in the living room was not. Lighting was dim in the downstairs rooms and it was difficult to read even with all of the lights on. I stayed at the cottage 12 months ago and was disappointed to notice a lack of basic maintenance eg painting the badly scuffed kitchen door and filling in the gaping holes in the cement around the Kitchen stoned floor. The property now needs some attention to reflect the increase in price.

    Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We have submitted our budget requirement to carry out maintenance to Harmony Cottage over the winter 21/22 and are awaiting confirmation. We have just recently changed our cleaning company and explained to them our expectation for standards of cleanliness and they are going to attend to scuff marks during a deep clean they are carrying out. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AlisonOct 2021

  • "An historic property but showing its age in all the wrong places."

    Black mold in the shower, leaking taps in the bath. Crumbling flooring the kitchen. Ice box in fridge was icebound and as usual needed defrosting before it could be used. Fantastic location and a brave attempt to preserve the historical features. Parking is a nightmare. I have been going to Harmony cottage on a yearly basis for the last 15 years but I may now look elsewhere if it is not updated.

    Thank you for your feedback and I am sorry to hear that you were unhappy with some aspects of the property on this occasion. I can confirm that we now have a new cleaning company in place and the issued raised have been addressed or are in the process of being addressed. There are no main ceiling light fittings in the living room or kitchen, only the original gas light fittings - all other lights are currently in working order. Thank you again for your feedback and we do hope that you will visit again in 2022. Property Owner

    Reviewed by KennethOct 2021

  • "The cottage was excellent, the staff from National Scottish trust was really helpful and friendly."

    Excellent place and we would recommend to all friends and family

    Many thanks for your kind words about the cottage and the staff in Melrose. Property Owner

    Reviewed by DavidSep 2021

  • "Good central location in pleasant accommodation."

    Reviewed by LarsAug 2021

  • "Given that a dish-washer was provided, there were insufficient dishes etc provided to properly and efficiently use the dish-washer."

    There were only 4 of some items, and we, as a group of only two in the cottage, soon ran out of clean dishes. The cottage has a capacity of 4 people. Only 3 dish-washer tablets were provided, and these crumbled when you took the protective film off. We had to consult the instruction manual for the dishwasher, but operating it was fine. We have never come across such a badly-designed fridge in our lives before - you couldn't store much in it. The stone-flagged floor of the kitchen needs cementing repairs at the junctions - we even found an old bread crust in one of the gaps! The paintwork throughout is very knocked about, although the place was clean. The oven was not clean, but they never are in self-catering places - our ovens don't get dirty at home because we don't cook or eat meat. There was no vacuum cleaner provided. There was no comfortable place to sit in the lounge, and if you sat back in one of the armchairs in the lounge, you experienced two springs in your bottom. There was nowhere to sit in the lounge and have good light to read by, except in the daytime. There was only one bedroom with an armchair - both need one. Having said all that, we appreciated how warm the cottage was - and there was plenty of hot water. The views of the Abbey and the Eildon Hills from the upstairs windows (the Abbey is floodlit at night) were superb, and the centrality of the cottage in Melrose was good. You could park freely on the roadside very close to the cottage, and if you went out in the car for the day, you could find room in the same place later on when you returned. We never had to pay anything to park. There did seem to be a lot of passing pedestrians throughout the day, so we had to watch safe distancing a bit as we came and went to and from the cottage.

    Reviewed by IanMay 2021

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Summary

  • Two twin bedrooms
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Sitting room
  • Gas central heating
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine, Smart TV, radio, WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot and highchair available
  • On-street pay & display parking nearby, free parking in winter season and evenings
  • Small paved garden
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop and pub 0.2 miles
  • Note: The three properties within the group Harmony Cottages are not directly next door to each other, but all rest within 0.2 miles of each other
  • Note: The beds in each room cannot be made into one large bed, please consider this when booking
  • Note: There are 4 external steps to the front door
  • Note: Please could we remind you that smoking is not permitted in this property and candles or any naked flame/fireplaces should not be used
  • Note: The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here Note: Unfortunately, The National Trust for Scotland do not permit BBQ's on their properties - due to fire risk
  • Note: There is no handrail on the outdoor steps, please take care

The property

Nestled opposite the historic ruins of Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders, is the charming Harmony Cottage.

Ideal for a group of four seeking an adventure in Scotland, this lovely dwelling can be found in the heart of Melrose, a desirable destination for an action-packed escape.

Just a stone's throw from its namesake, the National Trust for Scotland-owned Harmony Garden, Harmony Cottage is within strolling distance of all the delights of Melrose, and is perfect for a holiday full of country and riverside walks, as well as visiting historic houses and manors.

Be welcomed into the sitting room to unwind into your evening, resting on one of the armchairs or the sofa and admiring the characterful feature fireplace with Victorian tiling.

Move across the flagstone flooring of the kitchen/diner, with another traditional feature fireplace amidst the rustic timber panelling, and begin to rustle up delicious dishes with the use of the excellent appliances at hand, with a wooden dining table and chairs to gather around and toast to your holiday.

Discover two twin bedrooms upstairs, beneath the quirky sloping ceilings, whilst the shared bathroom offers a bath with an overhead shower, so you can prepare for your day however you prefer, the heated rail keeping your towel warm too!

Enjoy the use of your own paved garden, great for letting your canine companion stretch their legs, while plenty of walks can be enjoyed right from the centre of Melrose.

Delight in the homely setting of Harmony Cottage with your loved ones in the Scottish Borders.

Note: This property can be booked with Refs. 1060387, 1060394, together sleeping 21 guests.

EPC Rating: Band D

Short-term Holiday Let Licence No: SB-00046-F

Harmony Cottages

A collection of three wondrous properties resting in the Scottish Borders' town of Melrose, centred around the beautiful Harmony Garden, owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Comprising three separate properties, including Harmony House, nestled within the walls of Harmony Garden; Harmony Cottage, positioned adjacent to Melrose Abbey; and finally Pear Cottage, above a local craft shop and overlooking National Trust for Scotland’s Priorwood Garden. Each property offers its own unique outlook, with equally impressive interiors, as well as being within a stone's throw of each other, making a great choice for an escape with all of your loved ones. Harmony Garden itself is a tranquil setting comprising lawns, herbaceous and mixed borders, vegetable and fruit plots, and a rich display of spring bulbs, creating a wonderful aura to enjoy all year round. Enjoy exploring this idyllic setting and delight in purchasing fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables from Harmony Garden itself when available, great for adding to the ingredients of your self-catered cooking, with lots more to be found in the heart of Melrose. Visit the Country Kitchen in Market Square, offering a deli, bakery and winery stocking a great range of local produce, or visit the farmer's market in Kelso, around 15 miles away, on the last Saturday morning of every month. The St Cuthbert's Way begins in Melrose and spans 62 miles all the way to Lindisfarne, while the Eildon Hills are accessible right from the town centre, and a pleasant riverside stroll along the River Tweed is always a delightful choice. Visit the stunning ruins of Melrose Abbey, dating back to the 14th century and now home to a museum, as well as the National Trust for Scotland’s Priorwood Garden, where you can find beautiful flora and fauna, and even 90 different types of apples. Venture out of town to the imposing Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, who was a playwright, novelist and poet. A trip to the charming and historic town of Jedburgh is a must too, with its own abbey, or find even more National Trust for Scotland wonder at Robert Smail's Printing Works in Innerleithen, a living museum of Victorian history boasting plenty of excitement and an educational day out for all of the family, with the oldest working commercial letterpress printers in the UK. Relish in a scenic and elegant stay with your loved ones in the Scottish Borders at Harmony Cottages.

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About the location

MELROSE

St Boswells 4.6 miles; Lauder 11.5 miles; Kelso 14.2 miles; Bonchester Bridge 19.3 miles

The quaint and idyllic town of Melrose can be found perched on the banks of the beautiful River Tweed right on the border where Scotland meets England. Surrounded by beautiful open fields, this charming town offers a beautiful base from which to explore the true delights of Scotland. Filled with all the essential amenities for a smooth-sailing self-catering stay, such as a large supermarket, a charming café and a small selection of quintessential country pubs and restaurants, it's little wonder this picturesque town has become a firm favourite amongst many holidaymakers. Visitors can delight in tours of The Trimontium Museum Trust and the medieval ruins of Melrose Abbey, as well as the beautifully-kept lawns of Priorwood Garden right from your doorstep! A pleasant drive away lies the historical town of Jedburgh and the Royal Burgh of Peebles, whilst further afield the picturesque town of Eyemouth makes for a wonderful day by the coast. Other local attractions include Dryburgh Abbey, Smailholm Tower and the former home of Sir Walter Scott, Abbotsford. Fun is to be had at Go Wild Scotland, and outdoor enthusiasts should be sure to embark on a scenic hike through Tweed Valley Forest park. With something for everyone to enjoy, Melrose is the ultimate choice for any type of holiday to Scotland.

Note: The beds in each room cannot be made into one large bed, please consider this when booking.
Note: The opening times, visitor facilities and entry prices of all National Trust for Scotland properties and attractions can be viewed on their website here

Please note: Unfortunately, The National Trust for Scotland do not permit BBQ's on their properties - due to fire risk.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas