Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16 | Villa in Galashiels
7 Bedroom Villa in Stow, Galashiels
Set within an historic estate in the Scottish Borders, Scholar’s Retreat offers a rare opportunity to stay within one of Scotland’s most significant literary homes. Once part of Sir Walter Scott’s private residence and later home to his granddaughter, the house balances heritage features with the comfort expected of a high-end group stay.
Sleeping up to 14 adults and two children across eight individually designed bedrooms, the property is well suited to multi-generational families, celebrations, or corporate gatherings. Spacious reception rooms provide room to come together, whether for long dinners overlooking the River Tweed or evenings spent in the drawing room or billiards room.
Guests have access to private outdoor areas, including a courtyard and patio garden, along with the wider Estate grounds. A wide range of bookable experiences can also be arranged in advance, from private dinners in Sir Walter Scott’s dining room and guided tours of the house to whisky tastings, fishing trips, Highland games, immersive murder mystery experiences, and live entertainment. With so much available, your stay can be shaped around your group, with as much or as little planned as you like.
This is a stay defined by character, ideal for those looking for more than a standard countryside house.
Features:
Lower Ground Floor
- Billiards room- Fully equipped kitchen / breakfast room- Boot room- Laundry room- WC- Prep kitchen
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall- Reception room- Dining room- Sitting room- Library- WC- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
First Floor
- Bedroom with four poster bed and Jack & Jill bathroom (shared with twin bedroom)- Bedroom with twin beds and Jack & Jill bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Bedroom with double Zip & Link beds and ensuite bathroom- Deluxe suite with sitting room, bedroom with queen sized bed and ensuite bathroom- Lift between ground and first floor
Exterior Grounds
- Private courtyard garden- Patio area with outdoor seating- Access to the wider Estate grounds- Lawn space suitable for garden games
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi- Billiards table- Laundry facilities- Parking on site
Location:
Scholar's Retreat is located in the Scottish Borders, at Abbotsford, the Borders’ biggest attraction and most significant historic site. Sitting just outside the town of Melrose. This is a region known for its rolling countryside, historic landmarks and connections to Scottish literature, with the River Tweed running through the surrounding landscape.
From the house, guests can explore the wider Abbotsford Estate, including woodland walks, riverside paths and the main House itself, which is open to visitors. Melrose is a short drive away and offers a selection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as the ruins of Melrose Abbey, one of the most notable historic sites in the area.
The location also works well for those looking to explore further afield. The Borders are ideal for walking, cycling and fishing, while Edinburgh can be reached in around an hour, making day trips entirely feasible.
This setting combines a sense of rural space with good connections, offering both quiet surroundings and easy access to local highlights.
Terms & Conditions:
?
£500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.
4:00 pm
10:00 am
Yes, included in the rental price
Yes, included in the rental price
Up to 3 dogs are welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. Due to the historic nature of the property, dogs must remain on the lower-ground floor. Dog friendly facilities provided.
Please note that the house manager lives in a neighboring property on site.
Flexible
No smoking or vaping
2 nights in low season, 3 nights in high season. 7 nights over Christmas and New Year.
Yes, included in the rental price
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges.
Pets - allowed
Smoking - not allowed
Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16 is located in Stow. Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16 provides accommodation, featuring Parking, Pet Friendly, Security/Safety, among other amenities. This Villa features Parking, Pet Friendly and TV to make your stay a comfortable one.
Scholars Retreat - Seven Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16 has 7 Bedrooms , 7 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 16 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Villa because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Villa, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Villa has a friendly neighborhood, and the Stow has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Villa in Stow, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.
This Property is OneKey Eligible
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, villas, cottages, cabins, and more when you book on Vrbo.
Amenities
Policies
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
FAQ's
Is this property pet-friendly for guests?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.
Does the property have a swimming pool?
No, this Stow villa does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.
How much does it cost per night to stay in property?
Best-rates for the Stow villa starts from $2,026 per night with includes Sports/Activities, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, Heating, Internet, TV, Wheelchair Accessible, Accessibility, Wellness Facilities, Entertainment, Breakfast, Kitchen, Fireplace, Child Friendly, Laundry, Parking, Pet Friendly, Security/Safety, Bedding/Linens with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.
Is property a family-friendly place to stay?
Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this villa Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the villa has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.
Is the property wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?
Based on the information received from our partner, the Stow villa is wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.
What is the minimum night stay policy for the property?
Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Stow villa indicates 1 day stay policy at this villa. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.
What cancellation policy is in place for property?
Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.
