Stilt House
Scottish Borders, United Kingdom
Dod Mill
- Our low price promise from £128 €146 p/n
-
Treehouse
Sleeps 2 /
Extra space for 2 adults & 1 child
- One king bed and one sofa bed
Suitable for children of all ages
Pets welcome
Overview
Built over 20 years ago, Stilt House has been accommodation and a studio space for artists, and it’s quite evident. With a carefully curated palette, and more modern touches than her sister, Fishing Hut, Stilt House is a mix of soothing monochrome tones offset with bursts of green from plant life. Searching for inspiration? Take a gander out of the windows that are set on three sides, and eye the river, hills, tree canopies and the mill pond that surrounds the treehouse. Hire paddleboards and take the afternoon to get your balance on the pond or take it a little easier and picnic on the table nearby, relax on the lounger chairs and spot the herons gliding in to join the ducks. When late afternoon begins, if wild swimming hasn’t stolen your attention, the soft crackle of the Kadai fire bowl will – set up the grill and cook up a storm with ingredients from Shaws Fine Meats or the Spotty Dog deli nearby, or potter inside and make use of the induction hob. As sunset pours the last of the amber light over the estate, take one last stroll through the orchard, and meander back inside to wiggle your toes at the wood burner before drifting off.
You may well bump into owners, Ruth and Jamie, when exploring the site and you can take the opportunity to ask how their new, wilder lives are treating them. Formerly a geologist and an economist, they’re now living a life closer to that of Ruth’s parents – experts in farming and hospitality. Though it’ll soon become apparent when you stay, how the hustle and bustle of Brixton couldn’t compare to their five-acre small holding and the quiet peace of country life.
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Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in 4 pm
- Check out 9:30 am
- Please bring wellies
- Please note the treehouse is 80m from the carpark, a wheelbarrow can be provided to help with luggage
- Please note that this place is close to flowing water, so guests must stay away from the water edge and take care (especially when there has been rain or high tide)
- Tracks are well lit
- Firewood is provided with further available to purchase if needed
- Mobile signal
Sleeping arrangements
- One king bed and one sofa bed
Extra space available
Space for 1 child no charge. 1 child on sofa bed
Space for 2 pets from £20 per pet per stay Water bowl and dog towel can be provided on request
Space for 2 babies no charge. Travel cot/ high chairs can be provided
Space for 2 adults from £10 per adult per night Space for 1 tent pitch. Bring own tent/ bedding/ equipment
Cooking
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Cooking basics provided including tea, oil, salt and pepper
- Single electric induction hob
- Wood-burner oven/ stove
- Electric toaster
- Electric kettle
- Outside firepit
- Half-size electric fridge
- Hot water available for washing up
Washing
- Toiletries including hand wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and shower gel are provided
- Shower room
- Sink
- Flushing toilet
- Hot water available throughout
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Extra blankets and hot water bottles can be provided if needed
- Wood-burner
- Night briquettes are provided for wood-burner
- Plug sockets and USB ports
- Bed linen is provided
- Towels are provided
- Mains electric throughout
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Getting there
Dod Mill House, Lauder, Scotland, TD2 6SE
Car park What3words: blubber.cookie.broth
By Car
Dod Mill’s entrance gate opens onto the A697 so please take extra care when accessing or exiting the Mill as the traffic can be fast on this stretch of road.
From North/A68/A697: Take the A68 south from the Edinburgh City Bypass (A720). At Carfraemill, follow the A697 south in the direction of Coldstream. Dod Mill sits approximately 7 miles from Carfraemill. You will pass a blue sign on the left which reads “Picnic Area ¼ mile”. Turn left immediately after this sign – come through the wooden gates next to the tall irregular shaped barn with a red pantile roof. Park in the gravelled courtyard.
From Jedburgh/South/A68: Take the A68 north towards Edinburgh. You will pass through Earlston, and continue until you are nearly at Lauder. Immediately before Lauder, turn right onto the B6362 (signed for Thirlestane Castle) and continue up the hill to a T-junction. Turn right onto the A697 and in 1.5 miles, the road turns downhill slightly, and you will pass a blue sign on the left which reads “Picnic Area ¼ mile”. Turn left immediately after this sign – come through the wooden gates next to the tall irregular shaped barn with a red pantile roof. Park in the gravelled courtyard.
By Public Transport
The closest bus stop is Lauder, and the closest train station is Stow. Hosts recommend taking a taxi to Dod Mill.
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Food & Drink
At Dod Mill
Hosts will provided cooking basics including tea, oil, salt and pepper.
Local Shops
The nearest shops are in Lauder, 3 miles away. This includes a pharmacy, Co-op petrol station, greengrocers, butchers, deli and post office.
Purple Plum, Lauder - Excellent greengrocers which also sells nuts, spices and speciality ingredients
Spotty Dog Deli, Lauder - Great for cheese, wine, biscuits, cupboard essentials, coffee and local eggs.
Firebrick Bakery - Freshly baked artisan bread and bakery treats
Pubs & Restaurants
Restoration Yard, Dalkeith Country Park - Fantastic, modern coffee shop with a lovely clothes, gifts and home shop, set within beautiful courtyard buildings in Dalkeith Country Park. One of our favourites. The Kitchen, which is their restaurant, is open for coffee and cake (booking needed) and The Larder is available for take-away coffee & cake. 25 minute drive.
Firebrick Brasserie, Lauder - Fantastic restaurant and a favourite of the hosts. Call to book and tell them you are staying at Dod Mill! You will be well looked-after. 5 minute drive.
Hunters Stables, St Boswells - Hugely popular family-run Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Hosts recommend calling ahead to book a table. Take-aways also available. 21 minute drive.
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Activities
At Dod Mill
There are lots of options for walks in the area, perfect for a countryside picnic. Ask hosts for some maps.
The river is ideal for kids to play in (with adult supervision and not after heavy rainfall). Have fun skimming stones and looking for little fish.
Places To Visit
Great Tapestry of Scotland – Scotland’s story from pre-history to modern time is told through a Bayeux-style tapestry in Galashiels. 1,000 volunteer snitchers in Scotland worked for over 2 years on 160 panels. The tapestry is thought to be one of the longest in the world at 143 meters, and 70 meters longer than the famous Bayeaux Tapestry in Normandy. 20 minute drive.
Carolside Gardens - A real hidden gem and one of Scotland’s finest private gardens, just north of Earlston. The garden is flanked by wooded hills and nestles by the River Leader. It’s a romantic and beautiful garden, cultivated for over 200 years.
Thirlestane Castle - Offers small group guided tours and it also has beautiful grounds, a river walk and woodland walk. Highly recommended from the hosts as it is such a gorgeous fairy-tale turreted castle in stunning surroundings. 5 minute drive.
Outdoor & Active
Scottish Border Sporting - Clay pigeon shooting, tomahawk throwing and archery can be found at Hillhouse. Just a few miles north of Dod Mill.
Beirhope Alpaca Trekking - Take an alpaca for a walk in the stunning and remote Cheviot Hills. Lots of routes available, some more hilly than others. 45 minute drive.
Glentress/ 7Stanes - Award-winning mountain bike trails. 50 minute drive, near Pebbles.
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet Ruth and Jamie
Ruth and Jamie moved to Dod Mill with their three small children in 2017 after escaping the city life in Brixton, London. With sheep, woods, rivers, a pond and fields, Dod Mill is a 5 acre smallholding and a wonderful place to live. The family love the wildlife, the sounds of the river and watching the colours of the grounds constantly changing through the seasons. Their vision for Dod Mill is to turn it into a place of escape and retreat for their guests. They have worked hard to renovate the properties and have even built a bridge! The renovation work has focused on creating little havens of peace and design, giving the opportunity for guests to slow down from hectic lives. Jamie and Ruth are both involved in the community of Lauderdale and volunteer in the local Scouts groups, school parent council and for a local charity.
Wildlife & The Environment
This 5 acre smallholding has 2 groups of sheep including some rare breed Castlemilk Moorits with originate from here in the south of Scotland. In this modest corner of the world you'll find woodland, an orchard, river, mill pond and mill lade. This makes it a real haven for wildlife, regular visitors include heron, ducks, owls, peewits, robin, wren, thrush and moorhens. The river is home to salmon, trout and otters (it is rare to see the otters as they are quite shy). You can also see lots of rabbits, hare, deer living in the fields.
The river is part of the Tweed Conservation Area. Solar power is used across the estate alongside energy saving lighting. The firewood is sourced from the Dod Mill's trees and from a local farm just 7 miles away. Hosts have made an effort to use eco-friendly cleaning products.
Read more
-
Overview
Built over 20 years ago, Stilt House has been accommodation and a studio space for artists, and it’s quite evident. With a carefully curated palette, and more modern touches than her sister, Fishing Hut, Stilt House is a mix of soothing monochrome tones offset with bursts of green from plant life. Searching for inspiration? Take a gander out of the windows that are set on three sides, and eye the river, hills, tree canopies and the mill pond that surrounds the treehouse. Hire paddleboards and take the afternoon to get your balance on the pond or take it a little easier and picnic on the table nearby, relax on the lounger chairs and spot the herons gliding in to join the ducks. When late afternoon begins, if wild swimming hasn’t stolen your attention, the soft crackle of the Kadai fire bowl will – set up the grill and cook up a storm with ingredients from Shaws Fine Meats or the Spotty Dog deli nearby, or potter inside and make use of the induction hob. As sunset pours the last of the amber light over the estate, take one last stroll through the orchard, and meander back inside to wiggle your toes at the wood burner before drifting off.
You may well bump into owners, Ruth and Jamie, when exploring the site and you can take the opportunity to ask how their new, wilder lives are treating them. Formerly a geologist and an economist, they’re now living a life closer to that of Ruth’s parents – experts in farming and hospitality. Though it’ll soon become apparent when you stay, how the hustle and bustle of Brixton couldn’t compare to their five-acre small holding and the quiet peace of country life.
Read more
-
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in 4 pm
- Check out 9:30 am
- Please bring wellies
- Please note the treehouse is 80m from the carpark, a wheelbarrow can be provided to help with luggage
- Please note that this place is close to flowing water, so guests must stay away from the water edge and take care (especially when there has been rain or high tide)
- Tracks are well lit
- Firewood is provided with further available to purchase if needed
- Mobile signal
Sleeping arrangements
- One king bed and one sofa bed
Extra space available
Space for 1 child no charge. 1 child on sofa bed
Space for 2 pets from £20 per pet per stay Water bowl and dog towel can be provided on request
Space for 2 babies no charge. Travel cot/ high chairs can be provided
Space for 2 adults from £10 per adult per night Space for 1 tent pitch. Bring own tent/ bedding/ equipment
Cooking
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Cooking basics provided including tea, oil, salt and pepper
- Single electric induction hob
- Wood-burner oven/ stove
- Electric toaster
- Electric kettle
- Outside firepit
- Half-size electric fridge
- Hot water available for washing up
Washing
- Toiletries including hand wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and shower gel are provided
- Shower room
- Sink
- Flushing toilet
- Hot water available throughout
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Extra blankets and hot water bottles can be provided if needed
- Wood-burner
- Night briquettes are provided for wood-burner
- Plug sockets and USB ports
- Bed linen is provided
- Towels are provided
- Mains electric throughout
-
Location
Getting there
Dod Mill House, Lauder, Scotland, TD2 6SE
Car park What3words: blubber.cookie.broth
By Car
Dod Mill’s entrance gate opens onto the A697 so please take extra care when accessing or exiting the Mill as the traffic can be fast on this stretch of road.
From North/A68/A697: Take the A68 south from the Edinburgh City Bypass (A720). At Carfraemill, follow the A697 south in the direction of Coldstream. Dod Mill sits approximately 7 miles from Carfraemill. You will pass a blue sign on the left which reads “Picnic Area ¼ mile”. Turn left immediately after this sign – come through the wooden gates next to the tall irregular shaped barn with a red pantile roof. Park in the gravelled courtyard.
From Jedburgh/South/A68: Take the A68 north towards Edinburgh. You will pass through Earlston, and continue until you are nearly at Lauder. Immediately before Lauder, turn right onto the B6362 (signed for Thirlestane Castle) and continue up the hill to a T-junction. Turn right onto the A697 and in 1.5 miles, the road turns downhill slightly, and you will pass a blue sign on the left which reads “Picnic Area ¼ mile”. Turn left immediately after this sign – come through the wooden gates next to the tall irregular shaped barn with a red pantile roof. Park in the gravelled courtyard.
By Public Transport
The closest bus stop is Lauder, and the closest train station is Stow. Hosts recommend taking a taxi to Dod Mill.
-
Food & Drink
At Dod Mill
Hosts will provided cooking basics including tea, oil, salt and pepper.
Local Shops
The nearest shops are in Lauder, 3 miles away. This includes a pharmacy, Co-op petrol station, greengrocers, butchers, deli and post office.
Purple Plum, Lauder - Excellent greengrocers which also sells nuts, spices and speciality ingredients
Spotty Dog Deli, Lauder - Great for cheese, wine, biscuits, cupboard essentials, coffee and local eggs.
Firebrick Bakery - Freshly baked artisan bread and bakery treats
Pubs & Restaurants
Restoration Yard, Dalkeith Country Park - Fantastic, modern coffee shop with a lovely clothes, gifts and home shop, set within beautiful courtyard buildings in Dalkeith Country Park. One of our favourites. The Kitchen, which is their restaurant, is open for coffee and cake (booking needed) and The Larder is available for take-away coffee & cake. 25 minute drive.
Firebrick Brasserie, Lauder - Fantastic restaurant and a favourite of the hosts. Call to book and tell them you are staying at Dod Mill! You will be well looked-after. 5 minute drive.
Hunters Stables, St Boswells - Hugely popular family-run Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Hosts recommend calling ahead to book a table. Take-aways also available. 21 minute drive.
-
Experiences
At Dod Mill
There are lots of options for walks in the area, perfect for a countryside picnic. Ask hosts for some maps.
The river is ideal for kids to play in (with adult supervision and not after heavy rainfall). Have fun skimming stones and looking for little fish.
Places To Visit
Great Tapestry of Scotland – Scotland’s story from pre-history to modern time is told through a Bayeux-style tapestry in Galashiels. 1,000 volunteer snitchers in Scotland worked for over 2 years on 160 panels. The tapestry is thought to be one of the longest in the world at 143 meters, and 70 meters longer than the famous Bayeaux Tapestry in Normandy. 20 minute drive.
Carolside Gardens - A real hidden gem and one of Scotland’s finest private gardens, just north of Earlston. The garden is flanked by wooded hills and nestles by the River Leader. It’s a romantic and beautiful garden, cultivated for over 200 years.
Thirlestane Castle - Offers small group guided tours and it also has beautiful grounds, a river walk and woodland walk. Highly recommended from the hosts as it is such a gorgeous fairy-tale turreted castle in stunning surroundings. 5 minute drive.
Outdoor & Active
Scottish Border Sporting - Clay pigeon shooting, tomahawk throwing and archery can be found at Hillhouse. Just a few miles north of Dod Mill.
Beirhope Alpaca Trekking - Take an alpaca for a walk in the stunning and remote Cheviot Hills. Lots of routes available, some more hilly than others. 45 minute drive.
Glentress/ 7Stanes - Award-winning mountain bike trails. 50 minute drive, near Pebbles.
-
Your Hosts
Meet Ruth and Jamie
Ruth and Jamie moved to Dod Mill with their three small children in 2017 after escaping the city life in Brixton, London. With sheep, woods, rivers, a pond and fields, Dod Mill is a 5 acre smallholding and a wonderful place to live. The family love the wildlife, the sounds of the river and watching the colours of the grounds constantly changing through the seasons. Their vision for Dod Mill is to turn it into a place of escape and retreat for their guests. They have worked hard to renovate the properties and have even built a bridge! The renovation work has focused on creating little havens of peace and design, giving the opportunity for guests to slow down from hectic lives. Jamie and Ruth are both involved in the community of Lauderdale and volunteer in the local Scouts groups, school parent council and for a local charity.
Wildlife & The Environment
This 5 acre smallholding has 2 groups of sheep including some rare breed Castlemilk Moorits with originate from here in the south of Scotland. In this modest corner of the world you'll find woodland, an orchard, river, mill pond and mill lade. This makes it a real haven for wildlife, regular visitors include heron, ducks, owls, peewits, robin, wren, thrush and moorhens. The river is home to salmon, trout and otters (it is rare to see the otters as they are quite shy). You can also see lots of rabbits, hare, deer living in the fields.
The river is part of the Tweed Conservation Area. Solar power is used across the estate alongside energy saving lighting. The firewood is sourced from the Dod Mill's trees and from a local farm just 7 miles away. Hosts have made an effort to use eco-friendly cleaning products.
-
Reviews
Our guests say...
Lucy
We had a really great stay at Stilt House. Ruth was an excellent host - gave lots of information and was super responsive. The place itself was so peaceful and calm. The beds were super comfortable and the kitchen was excellently equipped to allow us to make meals nightly (as avid cooks). We also really enjoyed the wood burner which was used as heating as well as a stove - gave such a lovely touch to the place.
12/10/2024Melissa
We had such a peaceful time staying at the Stilt House. Everything there was so thoughtfully placed / designed,... and made with quality and style. We needed a break which was not too far away from home but felt very different so that we could not do any normal work/chores. It was so comfortable and so easy to relax there, watching the creatures around us and the trees and fields too. I would not normally say that I would return somewhere, but I really think we will do to this lovely place.
30/08/2024Bryony
Stilt house was the most relaxing getaway. The accommodation was quirky and stylish and the grounds were beautiful, with plenty of our own space. Owners were lovely; great communication and very friendly. A fantastic experience!
28/06/2024Laura
Great place to stay and get away from it all. Cosy cabin well equipped and good location at the side of the mill pond with a running stream at the side of the cabin. Lots of wildlife around
10/06/2024Sharon
Fab few days in the Borders
04/06/2024Ian
This was our second stay at Dod Mill.. this time in The Stilt House.. and it did not disappoint! Whether sitting outside next to the river breathing in the peace or cosing up inside next to the log burner when the rain set in. Everything at Dod Mill has been created thoughtfully to create a calm and restorative sanctuary.
21/05/2024Briers
We had a lovely couple of nights relaxing in the Stilt House. The log burner was a novelty for us and we enjoyed the challenge of cooking ourselves a steak dinner on it! The house was exactly like the pictures and the hosts even left some welcome drinks and treats for our arrival which was a lovely touch. We took our Labrador who thoroughly enjoyed running through the grasses and fields and playing in the stream. Stilt House is in a great location for enjoying the rural peacefulness whilst also being close enough to Lauder to get supplies or venture out for a little look about the shops. The hosts left some maps for walking ideas which we followed for a walk through a forest. Check in and out was very simple. The hosts emailed with pre-arrival instructions which were very easy to follow. We arrived a little earlier than check in time and planned to walk around the area but Ruth, one of the hosts, saw us and welcomed us to check in there and then. The Stilt House itself had all the amenities we needed for cooking and washing. The shower/bathroom is separate so does require a walk outside but it was lovely and modern with an actual flushing toilet and a rainfall shower!
11/09/2023Elizabeth
Had the most wonderful, relaxing stay. Weather was incredible so we were really lucky, the location is just idyllic.
08/09/2023Hayley
This place is really quite magical - being surrounded by water on both sides, being high up off the ground and the amount of light in the small space make it truly a one of a kind place to stay. Lazy mornings in bed watching the ducks and relaxed evenings attempting to cook in the wood-burner oven after a day of exploring the nearby hills. This is the perfect place for some slowing right down.
05/05/2022Helen, Canopy & Stars
Reviews
Tranquil, picturesque and a wonderful place to visit. Everything we needed was there and the hosts were welcoming and helpful !!
14/10/2024Lucy
We had a really great stay at Stilt House. Ruth was an excellent host - gave lots of information and was super responsive. The place itself was so peaceful and calm. The beds were super comfortable and the kitchen was excellently equipped to allow us to make meals nightly (as avid cooks). We also really enjoyed the wood burner which was used as heating as well as a stove - gave such a lovely touch to the place.
12/10/2024Melissa
We had such a peaceful time staying at the Stilt House. Everything there was so thoughtfully placed / designed,... and made with quality and style. We needed a break which was not too far away from home but felt very different so that we could not do any normal work/chores. It was so comfortable and so easy to relax there, watching the creatures around us and the trees and fields too. I would not normally say that I would return somewhere, but I really think we will do to this lovely place.
30/08/2024Bryony
Stilt house was the most relaxing getaway. The accommodation was quirky and stylish and the grounds were beautiful, with plenty of our own space. Owners were lovely; great communication and very friendly. A fantastic experience!
28/06/2024Laura
Great place to stay and get away from it all. Cosy cabin well equipped and good location at the side of the mill pond with a running stream at the side of the cabin. Lots of wildlife around
10/06/2024Sharon
Fab few days in the Borders
04/06/2024Ian
This was our second stay at Dod Mill.. this time in The Stilt House.. and it did not disappoint! Whether sitting outside next to the river breathing in the peace or cosing up inside next to the log burner when the rain set in. Everything at Dod Mill has been created thoughtfully to create a calm and restorative sanctuary.
21/05/2024Briers
We had a lovely couple of nights relaxing in the Stilt House. The log burner was a novelty for us and we enjoyed the challenge of cooking ourselves a steak dinner on it! The house was exactly like the pictures and the hosts even left some welcome drinks and treats for our arrival which was a lovely touch. We took our Labrador who thoroughly enjoyed running through the grasses and fields and playing in the stream. Stilt House is in a great location for enjoying the rural peacefulness whilst also being close enough to Lauder to get supplies or venture out for a little look about the shops. The hosts left some maps for walking ideas which we followed for a walk through a forest. Check in and out was very simple. The hosts emailed with pre-arrival instructions which were very easy to follow. We arrived a little earlier than check in time and planned to walk around the area but Ruth, one of the hosts, saw us and welcomed us to check in there and then. The Stilt House itself had all the amenities we needed for cooking and washing. The shower/bathroom is separate so does require a walk outside but it was lovely and modern with an actual flushing toilet and a rainfall shower!
11/09/2023Elizabeth
Had the most wonderful, relaxing stay. Weather was incredible so we were really lucky, the location is just idyllic.
08/09/2023Hayley
This place is really quite magical - being surrounded by water on both sides, being high up off the ground and the amount of light in the small space make it truly a one of a kind place to stay. Lazy mornings in bed watching the ducks and relaxed evenings attempting to cook in the wood-burner oven after a day of exploring the nearby hills. This is the perfect place for some slowing right down.
05/05/2022Helen, Canopy & Stars
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Tranquil, picturesque and a wonderful place to visit. Everything we needed was there and the hosts were welcoming and helpful !!
14/10/2024