Apothecary House on Kelso Square

Apothecary House is a spacious, historic second-story apartment overlooking The Square in the charming Scottish Borders town of Kelso. Built in 1795, the flat features old world charm and modern amenities: two comfortable bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and dining room, modern shower room, and massive lounge with luxe leather sofas and an incredible view of the town square and clocktower. Perfect for a family or couples, the beauty of the Borders is at the doorstep of Apothecary House. The front door '19 The Square' is between the Boots pharmacy and a lovely wee bookshop, 20 Storey. Apothecary House is located up two flights of stairs, on the second floor, with a green door and brass nameplate. Our apartment was built in 1795, and several locals report that number 19 was indeed the home of the town’s Apothecary. We like to look at the large silver pestle & mortar attached to the front of the building and dream about days of old here. You’ll find some of the Apothecary’s tools of the trade around the place too. We’ve maintained as many original features as possible as we love the old doors and original wooden window shutters. The apartment has a spacious hall leading to all accommodations, which includes a massive lounge with high ceilings and two large bay windows with original working wooden shutters, looking straight on to the Square. There are two bedrooms - one is a double, the other can be configured as either a twin singles or a double, both with storage for clothes (a large wardrobe and dresser respectively), each very quiet at night, especially if you close and lock the wooden shutters, as we always do. There is a large and well-appointed dining room that easily seats six next to the fully-equipped kitchen with chef's knives and a rack of stainless steel pots and pans. The basics are also provided, including spices and seasonings and coffee with a cafetière. At the end of the hallways is a brand new, large, bright shower room with walk-in rainfall shower, with linens, a heated towel rack, and high-quality basic amenities stocked. The apartment is light-filled throughout, with a brilliant view. We offer guides and literature in the flat on the hikes, distilleries, castles, and other adventures available nearby. There are plenty of modern conveniences, including wireless Internet but the accommodation also offers the opportunity to travel back in time. Relax on the leather sofa under a tartan blanket, dust off a book of Sir Walter Scott's, sip a dram of whisky, and make Apothecary House your home for the holiday. Slainté! All of the flat The apartment is primarily self check in and out, however, I am happy to answer any queries and provide assistance when needed. We welcome you to Kelso...a 'Fine Auld Toon', as the locals would say, and perhaps the prettiest town in the Borders. It sits on the banks of the rivers Tweed and Teviot and hosts many events throughout the year at Springwood Park, such as the Kelso Horse Races, the Border Union Dog Show, and many others for which the apartment is ideally positioned. The historic Kelso Abbey is a one-minute walk away, and Gorgeous Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, is an easy five-minute walk away. Floors is open most of the year for tours and visits to its extensive gardens and lovely cafe. The stately Ednam House Hotel has a sprawling green lawn on the Tweed as well, and it's the perfect place to sip a gin and tonic on a quiet evening. Kelso has been a bustling market town for nearly 1,000 years, and the street names reflect that history. The Square still hosts a Farmer's Market on the fourth Saturday of the Month, boasting excellent range of local and regional offerings, including: Aberdeen Angus beef, pork and bacon, venison and wild game, free-range chicken, savoury pies, fresh and smoked pates, fresh fish, olives, homemade bread, scones and cakes, desserts, jams, honey, chutneys and preserves. If the market isn't operating during your stay, there are plenty of other great dining options. Our favourites are The Cobbles, for a pint and excellent dinner fare by the fire, Granny Jean's Bakery for fresh scones and hot sausage rolls, and The Cream Chimneys, a wonderful wee coffee shop two doors down with fresh-baked treats, gifts, and award-winning coffee. Kelso is full of interesting antique and charity shops that offer a glimpse into the past. Our two favourite places to pop into are 20 Storey just downstairs, a brilliant bookshop with funky gifts and games (Tell Joe we said 'Hi!') and Focal Point Furniture and Framing, lovingly refurbished and bespoke furniture, as well as knickknacks and antique maps (some of which you'll see around the flat). There are also plenty of practical shops nearby: hardware stores, barbers, tailors butchers, the post office and so on are all within the few blocks around Apothecary House. There is a Co-op just down the street, with a Lidl and Sainsbury's within walking distance too. Kelso is a lovely town for walking, especially along the bank of the Tweed River, where there's a pedestrian pathway, to enjoy the country views and feed the swans and ducks. If you have a vehicle, there's a lot to explore outside of Kelso and plenty of free parking in The Square. We recommend visiting the attractions in charming neighbouring towns. The Borders Distillery in Hawick is a fun and informative way to spend the afternoon for a tour and a dram (they'll even offer the driver a wee travel bottle). We love strolling the shops in St. Boswells, in particular Mainstreet Trading Company, a brilliant bookstore, cafe, and specialty shop where we have whiled away many hours. The Mary Queen of Scots House in Jedburgh, where the young queen convalesced nearly 500 years ago, is now a great museum. If recreation is on your mind, there is a book of 40 Borders Walks by Robbie Porteous in the lounge, and we highly recommend trying out a few during your stay; they are relatively easy to navigate and offer a breathtaking look at the land. There are plenty of castles, ruins and monuments in the nearby area, including the giant statue of William Wallace outside of Melrose and the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh, a good hike outside of the village of Ancrum. Buses also run regularly, with a bus stop just off The Square at Kelso Abbey. For more information on schedules and routes, visit: (Website hidden by Airbnb) and (Website hidden by Airbnb) .