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The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)

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Exterior detail
Exterior
Exterior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Kelso, SCT
  • Place, Kelso Racecourse
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Floors Castle
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Kelso Abbey
    ‪5 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Double and single bed

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Double Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Master Bedroom with En-suite

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

En-suite

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)

Short Term Let Licence Number: SB00057F
4* Rating
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps up to 7 guests
EPC = E

A great place to make those Special memories with those you love

Minimum 2 nights stay

Single storey property, ideal accommodation for guests with poor mobility (not wheelchair friendly)

Whether it's a relaxing bolthole for 2, a get together with friends, or a multi generational gathering, we cater for all!.

We hope our little personal touches, will help to make your stay with us a memorable one.

Dog Friendly - (doggy welcome pack on arrival)
£20.00 per dog per stay (maximum 2 dogs)

A delightful traditional stone built converted blacksmiths, lovingly converted and restored to a high standard in 2012.

Fully centrally heated throughout the property, so cosy all year round.

The Old Smithy provides excellent self-catering accommodation, with stunning views over open countryside with Eden Water at the bottom of the garden.

The outdoor decking area with furniture is a great a place to relax during the daytime or evenings allowing you to take in the amazing views. (BBQ supplied)

We live in River Cottage opposite The Old Smithy so are on hand if you require any assistance during your stay.

The property is modern and stylish throughout displaying a wonderful blend of furnishings enhancing the original features of this old blacksmiths.

The hall has plenty of space to hang your coats, a shoe rack to store your outdoor footwear and pop on your slippers.

A door to your left leads into a wonderful social open plan kitchen and dining room . The SMEG Stainless Steel Range Cooker is perfect to prepare that special meal together. You don't need to worry about washing up as there is a dishwasher, so you can sit and relax.

The open plan living room is spacious and light with 2 sets of French doors leading into the garden area, where you can sit on the decking area and enjoy the open views across to the Thomson Memorial, and listen to the sound of Eden Water running at the bottom of the garden.

In the evening the lounge area becomes a warm and inviting space to sit and relax, with the flickering flame from the electric wood burner, music playing or playing a game or two, and of course finish off the evening with a wee dram. Pure bliss!

King-size bedroom with plenty of space to store your items along with an en-suite with a Walk- in shower cubicle.

The double bedroom consists of a double wardrobe, drawers and beside table.

The third bedroom is a very large spacious room, consisting of a double and a single bed, ideal as a family room.

There is a triple wardrobe, drawers and a bedside table.

We can provide up to 2 travel cots and high chair for you to use during your stay FREE OF CHARGE

The main bathroom consists of a bath (for those guests who like a soak at the end of the day) with a over bath shower, designed to create an ideal combination for those guests who prefer a shower.

The property is well equipped with the following appliances:

SMEG range cooker

Microwave

American style fridge/freezer

Washing Machine

Dishwasher

Iron/ironing board

Coffee maker

Dolce Gusto machine

TV

DVD player

Hifi system

Wifi

All bedlinen and towels

Cleaning products

Cot and Highchair on request

Hairdryers

Enclosed garden with garden furniture and barbecue

Ample off road parking

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
Dogs are not permitted in the bedrooms
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 7
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number SB00057F

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Kelso

Located in Kelso, this holiday home is in a rural area. Kelso Abbey and Floors Castle are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Home Park and Clifton Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Scott's View and Woodside Garden Centre. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Kelso, SCT

What's nearby

  • Kelso Racecourse - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Floors Castle - 5 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Kelso Abbey - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Borders Abbeys Way - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Kelso Old Parish Church - 5 min drive - 4.5 km

Getting around

  • Tweedbank Station - 20 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 60 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Charlie’s - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪State Room Lounge - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Cobbles - Freehouse & Dining - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hoot N Cat Coffee Shop - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Waggon Inn - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs) pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)?

As of 29 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs) on 8 April 2026 start from NZ$415, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs)?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Old Smithy Converted Blacksmiths - Sleeps 7 and pet friendly (upto 2 dogs) located?

This family-friendly Kelso holiday home is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Kelso Racecourse, Kelso Old Parish Church and Kelso Abbey. Borders Abbeys Way and Floors Castle are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 49 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacinta B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home , location was central to everything we needed, hosts were excellent
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

matthew w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay host so attentive and so welcoming! some lovely touches welcome baskets and 1 for Gizmo the cat! Lovely cottage everything you need is supplied nothing not thought off, so quiet and peaceful , lovely surroundings will stay again !
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the best stay. Everything was wonderful. We were shown around on arrival. The best shower ever, I loved the bed. I know my points are not very useful for the next guest, but everything was perfect. Thank you for a lovely break. We will certainly stay again. Xxxxx
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay

The owners have thought of everything in this beautiful place! We had a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Will P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in a peaceful location.

Great experience from booking to the end of our stay. Owners very helpful and friendly, and cottage excellent.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gillian W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful holiday

Beautiful house in lovely location perfect for exploring the area. Hosts were fantastic with lots of communication and suggestions for places to go. We had a great holiday with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lilian P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Clean well laid out property. Beautifully situated in lovely grounds. Hosts very helpful and welcoming making our stay so enjoyable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tricia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing stay

Stay was amazing, comfortable and cosy. Everything we expected and more. We lucked out with some lovely sunny weather for the end of October, lovely area with lots to see and do for all ages. Thank you Gail for all your pre- planning it was very helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

pamela b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent venue

Beautiful cottage, lovely helpful hosts with a wealth of excellent guidance and advice on places to visit. Clean and organised home with everything you could possibly need. Amazing hosts!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emma B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage and excellent host

We stayed at the cottage for the weekend as a family when we were going to a wedding. The cottage is lovely, very nicely decorated and had everything we needed. Gail was a brilliant host, so friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place to stay

Booked to spend time with our 2 Daughters, their partners and our Grandson. Very pleasantly surprised by this well stocked property. A real home from home and a very comfortable stay for 6 adults and a baby. The small touches were much appreciated, and the large enclosed garden was great for our Daughters 2 dogs and enjoyed by ourselves for some garden games. The outside space was also large enough for 3 cars. Highly recommended, and would love to stay again to explore the area more. We visited Floors Castle gardens for a lovely walk but there are lots of interesting places within an hours drive.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Booked the Old smiddy for a wedding party stayover and it couldnt have been anymore perfect.

This was an amazing experience from start to finish. Property is beautiful and owners went out of their way to ensure out experience was a memorable one. First class and would 100% recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful weekend

Cottage was beautiful, clean, warm, cozy and decor was lovely. The thoughtfulness of Gail is evident all over the house from the mints on the pillows to the happy birthday signs and personalised card and fizz. Amazing property and would happily book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A beautiful, spacious cottage

The Old Smithy has to be one of the nicest properties we’ve stayed in. Really spacious, beautifully clean and appointed with absolutely everything you could possibly need. A real home from home, and in an ideal location for a holiday based in the Scottish Borders. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding cottage by river

Extremely well appointed and comfortable three bedroomed cottage. Good location for exploring the Borders and Northumberland. We went to celebrate a birthday and hosts went extra mile with decorations and cake. Our dogs were also made very welcome.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gill H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

We had a excellent experience at The Smithy Cottage Gail was a superb host and the cottage had everything you needed and was spotless throughout Definitely recommend this place and will return
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family time in the Scottish Borders

We had a lovely week at The Old Smithy Cottage, the place was very well equipped and comfortable, a warm welcome was given on arrival even to our dog! The owners were so informative and lots of suggestions were given. It was a perfect base to explore the Scottish Borders and parts of Northumberland. The weather was wonderful and we had a great trip!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gillian A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely well equipped cottage

We had an excellent stay for a family 60th birthday. Gail couldn't have been more helpful, she put up decorations, personalised birthday card and arranged all my requests for arrival. Lots of nice touches in the property, they have thought of everything. We would all definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kelso Stay

First Class.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Helen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A fantastic break

From initial enquiry to departure, Gail (the owner) couldn't have offered better customer service. We have had the best time away at the perfect property, with the group ranging in age from mid-30s to almost 100. The cottage has all the facilities and equipment you could possibly need, coupled with a beautiful location and fantastic hosts who will make your stay incredibly memorable.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay in the Old Smithy

Really well equipped property, Gail is a super host who has thought of everything. Her little touches show her pride in the property and make you feel instantly welcome. Loads of room for a party of 6, I didn't take my dogs but they'd have loved it! The setting is beautiful but you really need a car to fully explore the area and make the most of what is on offer. Would highly recommend this property and this host
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruce M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cottage and ideal Southern Scotland location

Gail was the perfect host and the cottage was exactly as described, maybe even better than described. The location is great for doing things in Southern Scotland. Super clean and we had everything we needed. Gail was great with a communication and always had great recommendations. I highly recommend the Old Smithy Cottage for a family getaway.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jubilee and scooter weekend stay

Immaculate property inside and out with very welcoming hosts. There is nothing to fault in this property. Everything you require is available and the host is very helpful. There is even a well stocked welcome pack even including a wonderful apple pie. It was so good we tried to book it for next year but sadly the dates we required were already taken.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Time With Family

We had a lovely time at The Old Smithy. Gail was exceptional with making us feel we were at home. She made sure we had everything we needed. Gail went over and above to ensure we were happy. As far as making our granddaughter have good fun in the garden. I am sure we will be back at some stage. Thank you Gail for all you have done.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful short stay

The property is exceptional! Every single thing you could want or wish for are included. Similar properties often require purchasing a few bits and pieces mostly for the kitchen, but we had no such issues here and the welcome packs for us and our dog were a very generous extra! The property is cozy and comforting a proper home from home, the garden is also exceptional with plenty of room for our dog to have a run and stretch his legs. Communication with the host was perfect and they could not have done more for us! Set in a lovely village the property is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding border towns or heading over to the east coast beaches etc. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Gail Clarkson

Host profile image
Myself and My husband (Adrian) both worked for the NHS for over 25 years. We decided to have a change of life and move to the Scottish Borders to live "our dream". We moved here in August 2017 to take over an already established holiday let and have such fantastic feedback on the changes we have made and the service that we offer. We have been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2018 and 2019 and the new Travellers Choice was for 2020 and 2021.

Why they chose this property

We are a self-catering accommodation, with the amenities you need to rest and recuperate. From our bed linens to our coffee makers, we have thought of your every need. Our guests should want for nothing; our responsibility as a fine self-catering accommodation within Kelso is to accommodate you appropriately!

Our cottage is equally sustainable for one guest and an entire family. Bookings of all sizes are welcome.

Fall in love with our excellent amenities; we go beyond the essentials of a microwave, cooker and dryer. Enjoy WiFi, HiFi and even a Dolce Gusto machine with us! We’ve really thought of it all. We are confident you’ll adore all that we have to offer.

And, the fact that our cottage is as beautiful inside as it is out is an added bonus! Our interior décor reflects the outstanding natural beauty of Kelso, and we have worked hard to combine the most stunning of traditional and contemporary design. Your comfort and enjoyment is our priority. We value you, and always go the extra mile to ensure you see our self-catering accommodation as the perfect ‘home away from home.’

This is also why we advertise ourselves as a dog friendly accommodation! Your dog is as much a member of the family as you are, and so they are more than welcome to stay with us. It can be difficult to find places to stay that accommodate your four-legged friend, but we are dog lovers ourselves; we understand how hard it can be to leave a dog behind, so we won’t make you!. At a charge of £20.00 per dog per stay (payable in cash on arrival) is a small price to pay, knowing that you four legged friend is having a good time.

Kelso is the perfect place for a dog to roam and explore, with fun-filled attractions and walking routes for you to enjoy. At our cottage, we even have a sizeable enclosed garden, one your dog is sure to enjoy!

The whole family can rest and relax in our cottage as there is plenty of open plan space for adults and children alike.

What makes this property unique

We live in River Cottage opposite The Old Smithy so you have peace of mind that we are available if you need us.

We clean and maintain the property, so you can rest assure that the property is cleaned and sanitized throughout for your safety. You will be provided with a copy of the cleaning check list upon your arrival.

Eco-Friendly. With environmental issues becoming increasingly prevalent, we all need to adapt to become more sustainable, including owners of holiday homes.

Here at The Old Smithy cottage we have made 9 changes to make us more eco-friendly.
* when electrical appliances need replacing, we will replace with the most energy efficient option A+++
* All light bulbs have been replaced with LED
* All cleaning products are Eco-Friendly
* All our toiletries come in re-useable bottles that are refillable to avoid any waste.
* Both general waste/recycling waste is clearly marked. A small composting bin with a biodegradable bag is situated in the kitchen, along with 2 large wooden green compost bins situated in the corner of the large garden.
* Water butts have been fitted to the sheds for us to water the plants
* boiler is on a timer switch to avoid waste
* welcome pack is filled with products from local independent shops
* re-usable shopping bags are available for guests to use during their stay to avoid purchasing plastic bags
*E-bikes available from hire which will be drop off/collected from the property. Local maps provided for walking

All our sheets, pillowcases, duvets are crisp and pristine 300 thread count Egyption cotton and the jacquard duvet covers and pillowcases are 300 thread count and 100% cotton "Deluxe Range" as we as the white fluffy towels are all provided by Shortridge Laundry, the same linen and towels that are provided for 5* hotels.

We can organise bespoke breaks for you as follows:-
* pamper breaks
* art breaks
* activity breaks
* learn to fish
* Electronic bike hire delivered to the door
* learn to paddle board


Languages:

English

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