The Cottage
Originally an 18th Century hay-shed in the hills, the Steading has been lovingly converted with heaps of rural character & charm. The thick stone walls have seen generations come and go but still overlook the age-old sheep fold and up to the hills beyond. Wake to occasionally find the fold filled with our ewes gathered from the hill and peering into your kitchen window!
An open plan kitchen, spiral staircase & snug with wood-burning stove is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Start the day with fresh air and long country walks from your doorstep. Embrace slow-living with the wood-fired sauna hidden in the woodland garden - although shared, each cottage gets its own private time slot.
Take a day trip to Edinburgh or curl up with a good book from the cottage library. In the evening wrap up by the fire pit in your private cottage garden. Sit by the crackling fire filling the air with the smell of woodsmoke and watch the sun set and the stars come out. Eastside is your perfect hideaway surrounded by a 3,000-acre hill farm.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
A spiral staircase entices you upstairs to bed where warm duvets & comfortable beds await. Two bedrooms, a double & a twin room, make the cottage just right for up to 4 people. There is a bathroom upstairs and a shower-room downstairs.
Outside
The cottage sits within the 18th Century farmstead of Eastside Farm. The farm itself is an unspoilt working sheep farm in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. The Farm & Park cover large areas of beautiful & rugged hilly countryside to the south of Edinburgh. The cottage nestles right in the heart of the hills within a valley that abounds with walking routes & wildlife. Peregrines & Ravens nest nearby and are often spotted on the hiking route to the local pub.
Steading Cottage is just over the farmyard from Byre, Cartshed and Wash House cottages, bring the whole family (sleeping 12) for a great big gathering in the country!
Steam-sauna woodland yurt
Experience the relaxing and enchanting woodland steam-sauna yurt!
As a guest of the Steading Cottage, you'll be invited to book a complimentary session in the woodland spa yurt. This wood-fired steam-sauna and spring-water plunge pool is best enjoyed slowly - you'll get the chance to spend an afternoon or evening soaking up the the magical atmosphere in a private and exclusive 4 hour session.
N.B. We may need to close the steam-sauna in extreme weather conditions.
Read more about the handcrafted steam sauna yurt here...
Practicalities
We are situated off the beaten track, hidden in a quiet glen in the Pentlands. Access to the cottage is up a 1 mile farm track. The track can be a little rough in places but shouldn't cause any problems for ordinary cars.
There is parking for one car provided in a carpark (30seconds walk from cottage). Luggage + shopping may be unloaded outside the cottage. Additional parking (eg. for guests) can be arranged if necessary. We live across the farmyard and are on hand if you need us, but otherwise we'll not disturb your stay.
Because the cottage is 1 mile from the main road, we recommend the use of a car for the duration of your stay.
Facilities
The cottage comes with all the home comforts you would expect including:
- 1 complimentary session in the woodland steam-sauna yurt
- Finnish sauna robes provided
- Electricity & heating is included in the price. Electricity & heat are generated by our wind turbine & biomass boiler, so the cottage is environmentally sound.
- Wood-burning stove - logs provided free of charge from homegrown timber (fair usage policy).
- Fire pit - logs provided free of charge from homegrown timber (fair usage policy).
- Free WIFI internet access
- All bed linen, kitchen linen & fluffy towels provided
- Well equipped kitchen with dishwasher
- Utility with freezer, washing machine & tumble dryer
- TV (freesat), Blu-ray player & complementary Netflix
- A tea tray with biscuits, milk & tea
- A bouquet of locally grown flowers (when in season)
- Babies & children are very welcome. Cots and highchairs are available (please select as extras during the booking process).
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome by prior arrangement with us. (£10/dog per night - maximum 2 dogs)
