ROULOTTE RETREAT Glamping in Scotland with Hot Tub

Glamping in Scotland with Hot Tub

Nestled in a wildflower meadow beneath the legendary Eildon Hills glamping in Scotland with a Hot Tub sits on a small private estate in the Scottish Borders. Roulotte Retreat offers you the chance to escape and stay in authentic French Roulottes. Just three miles away from Melrose, home of Rugby Sevens and the Borders Book Festival and right at the heart of the Borders, it is easily accessible from all local towns and villages. St. Cuthbert’s Way long distance footpath meanders nearby and woodlands, streams, waterfalls and hills complete the surrounding beautiful landscape.

THE MEADOW
The meadow is greeted in the early morning by the sun to the east and enjoys south facing climate all day before the dazzling sunset to the west in the evening. The West Burn traverses through the field offering delightful pools en route to its junction with the Bowden Burn and onwards to the River Tweed and the sea at Berwick upon Tweed. In the middle of the meadow is an enchanting lochan (wildlife pond/ small lake) complete with jetty and small shingle beach. The meadow landscape reflects that of the surrounding countryside with mounds of broom, gorse, hawthorn and wild rose. The wildflower meadow and grasses lead away from the lochan and up to the firepit where evenings can be enjoyed together around the camp fire. Each roulotte has its own unique space and garden furniture for enjoying al fresco time situated around the lochan and for late night star gazing under the dark skies overhead.

DEVANNA ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2
Devanna, our first roulotte, in oriental style with ‘peacock and paisley design’ arrived on Friday 25 June, 2010 with the full moon. Delight in this French roulotte reminiscent of India with carvings of peacocks as well as delightful paisley patterns, the symbol of the mango seed which links France, India and Scotland. The interior of Devanna reflects the rich natural shades of blues, greens, purples and gold of the peacock’s rich plumage. Relax on the chaise in front of the wood burning stove or cosy up on the hand crafted Indian carpet which dresses the wooden floor. Its lovely too to sit out on Devanna’s balcony to watch the birds soar over the lochan.

KARLOTTA ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2
Karlotta, our second roulotte arrived with the full moon in July and is magnificently carved in art deco style with Celtic knotwork designs entwined with horses, flowers and foliage. Be bold in this French Roulotte enveloped by rich purples, reds and golds with the essence of Morocco. Cosy up on the ruby coloured sofa in front of the wood-burner or sprawl on the hand crafted Rajasthani carpet with adorns the wooden floor. Enjoy some time sitting on Karlotta’s balcony which faces out onto the lochan.

GITANA ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2

Be enchanted in Gitana, our Magical Roulotte who arrived in July 2011. Carvings in sustainable walnut of wild strawberries spiralling around, hidden fairies creating magic, butterflies and leaping hares. Beautifully coloured butterfly windows filter the morning and evening light so colours abound in this magical space allowing you to see the world through not only rose tinted spectacles but also blue, yellow, green and red! Gitana is Spanish for a Bohemian Gypsy Lady and our Gitana is certainly a beautiful enchantress!

Bedecked in the reds and greens of the wild strawberry plant, Gitana has room for two, with a romantic roulotte bed enveloped in velvets. Relax on the chaise longue in front of the woodburning stove.

Gitana now has her very own eco hot tub alongside so you can enjoy bathing under the stars. There is an additional fee for exclusive use of the eco hot tub. If you would rather not have the eco hot tub then it would be best to book another roulotte. More info below on eco hot tub.

MAHARANI ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2
Relax in Maharani and Maharaja style in our Rajasthani inspired Roulotte Retreat version of the ‘Palace on Wheels’. Ornate carvings of elephants and lotuses create the ambience of an Indian Palace. Beautifully painted in rich purple and greens with silk sari curtains and velvet throws Maharani and her elephants await you. The sustainable walnut interior gleams with handcarvings, whilst the textures and colours envelop you in luxury. An elegant Indian daybed with elephant carvings, originally for the back of an elephant, adorns the salon.

ROSA BELLA ROULOTTE Sleeps 2 to 4
Rosa Bella – Enjoy the deep jewel colours of lapis lazuli, turquoise, ruby, garnet and gold in this spacious Dutch Roulotte, reminiscent of the Orient Express. Rosa Bella offers room for four, with a double bedroom and a romantic alcove bed complete with colourful drapes. Relax in the Bohemian salon in front of the woodburning stove, with Oriental rugs on the floor and ‘lingerie lace’ curtains around the windows and cook up a storm in the spacious kitchen.

ZENAYA ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2

Zenaya arrived in Spring 2013 and is now ready to indulge your Oriental taste! She is one of our latest creations completed by talented Artisan Roulotte Makers in France. As always she is exquisite and completely different. As you may already know we like all of our roulottes to have their own personality – reflected in colours, textures, carvings, furniture, etc. and this new luxurious palace on wheels certainly lives up to our reputation for excellence both in quirkiness and quality. In reds and shades of gold the colours of Zenaya create a beautiful palette throughout the salon, complete with Oriental daybed, double bedroom with huge carved roulotte bed, kitchen area and quirky shower, washroom and toilet. Check out the amazing portholes!

Zenaya has her own wooden Japanese style Eco Hot Tub to enjoy exclusive use of this elemental experience under the stars. There is an additional payment for the eco hot tub. If you would rather not have the eco hot tub then it is best to book another roulotte.

SHIVANNI ROULOTTE – Sleeps 2
Shivanni is one of our latest creations, made in France and is Himalayan in design. As her name suggests she is adorned with carvings of ancient India and resplendent in shades of blue and adorned with gold. Himalayan in influence she will delight you with her beautiful salon, complete with Indian daybed and wood burning stove, double bedroom, kitchen and exquisite shower, washroom and quirky toilet complete with portholes! She is suitable for two with a Queen size bed.

Shivanni is situated in the far corner of our meadow with a deck facing out towards the beautiful sunset where you can hear the gurgling of the stream and tinkling sounds from the tiny secret waterfall.

ALL THE ROULOTTES ABOVE ALSO INCLUDE –
Oriental rugs dress the wooden floors.
Whimsical lamps create the magical light throughout the roulotte.
Salon area with Kitchen Area complete with Baby Belling oven and fridge if you choose to eat in or dine al fresco in the meadow overlooking the lochan
Kitchen utensils, pots, pans, cafetiere, crockery and cutlery as well as glasses and champagne flutes for your use.
Original style Roulotte Bed with cupboards below offer luxurious comfort with the best of mattresses so you can enjoy the best sleep and long lies.
Shower Room (with mains pressure which is amazing), toilet and wash room facilities
Heating is by Woodburning Stove and electric radiators.
All Bedlinen and Towels are provided
Electricity sockets

HORSESHOE COTTAGE & RUBY – Sleeps 4

HORSESHOE COTTAGE & RUBY – Sleeps 4
The best of both worlds – enjoy the comforts of Horseshoe Cottage and the romance of Ruby, the Bowtop (Romany caravan), in their own woodland garden. Let us delight you with the magic and tranquility of this special combination to offer space and timelessness where you can enjoy sleeping under the stars and travel without traveling. Horseshoe Cottage and Ruby are nestled within a family of Scots Pine trees facing over the meadow towards the Eildon Hills. The cottage is situated near the Roulotte Retreat owners’ house but has its own private woodland garden and nearby car parking.

Horseshoe Cottage
Originally stables for the horses used to plough the surrounding farmland Horseshoe Cottage is now converted into a colourful, romantic hideaway. This delightful cottage is now freshly decorated in beautiful jewel like shades. Eco-friendly paint brings a healthy glow to the cottage walls and reflects the authentic colours of the vardo beneath the pine trees in the woodland garden. Offering a spacious, bright sitting room with a view of the Eildon Hills, the accommodation also comprises galley kitchen, bathroom with shower, double and twin bedroom.

The cottage is warm and cosy with:

Oil fired central heating as well as the ambience of the open fire with wood burning stove.
Dishwasher
Electric oven, fridge and microwave
Washing machine
Tv and dvd, cd player and radio
Games, books and toys are there for your pleasure

Spacious wild woodland garden in front and a colourful ‘pot plant’ entrance, Provencal style at the back. There is woodland car parking for two cars.

Children are very welcome in Horseshoe Cottage but Ruby the Bowtop is unsuitable for children. Up to two well behaved dogs are allowed to stay in Horseshoe Cottage for an additional fee of ￡5.00 per dog per day. There is an abundance of walks nearby through woodlands, up the nearby Eildon Hills or by the River Tweed. Dogs must be kept on leads whilst at Roulotte Retreat due to our roaming chickens.

Ruby, the Bowtop

In the woodland garden in the front of the cottage is a secret hideaway…. beneath the trees, as if time stood still, rests an authentic 1930’s Romany Caravan. Ruby is a Bowtop (Bow Top) and is also known as a living wagon or Gypsy caravan. Experience the romance of sleeping under the stars in a lovingly restored Bowtop, originally painted by the famous Master Vardo Painter, Jim Berry.

Step up into bed and immerse yourselves in the maroon and deep pink lace which cascades around you as you enter another world. We can let you into a little secret……… the beautiful lace adorning Ruby is actually “lingerie lace” – which seems just perfect!

With room for two, escape into the magic of the nomadic life and recapture the essence of being free and living amongst nature.

PRICES

ROULOTTES – Sleeping 2
Low Season ￡95 per night
Mid Season ￡100 per night
High Season ￡105 per night
Weekends Fri & Sat ￡125 per night, also Sun nights ￡125 if before Public or Bank holidays.
(Minimum Stay – 2 nights)

ROSA BELLA – Sleeping 2 to 4
Prices from ￡100 per night for a couple or from ￡120 per night for 3-4 people, minimum stay 2 nights. Enjoy Rosa Bella as a couple and you can have a discount of 20%, why keep this spacious roulotte just for four!

Low Season ￡120 per night for 4 persons, ￡100 for 2
Mid Season ￡125 per night for 4 persons, ￡105 for 2
High Season ￡136 per night for 4 persons, ￡110 for 2
Weekends Fri & Sat ￡165 per night for 4 persons, ￡135 for 2, also Sun nights if before Public or Bank holidays.

(Minimum Stay – 2 nights)

HORSESHOE COTTAGE AND RUBY
Prices for Horseshoe Cottage and Ruby Bowtop for 4 people. Minimum stay two nights. If staying for 4 nights or more then we are happy to offer a discounted rate, just ask.

Prices from ￡125.00 per night, depending on time of year and whether midweek or weekend. We can accommodate an additional two people in this accommodation but all would have to share the facilities of Horseshoe Cottage. Please enquire for more details.

THE STUDIO
Nestled amidst Scots Pines next to the meadow, The Studio offers group space for workshops, gatherings, celebrations, events and boutique weddings of groups staying at Roulotte Retreat. This 1950’s wooden studio has had an interesting history and life since it was made in Glasgow in 1952 before becoming nearby Dryburgh Abbey’s Gift shop and finally (for now) has settled at Roulotte Retreat as a beautiful, light-filled space complete with chandeliers, Moroccan lighting, huge wood-burning stove at its heart and outdoor covered wooden deck. See our website for more details.

PLEASE NOTE
Sorry, The Roulottes are not suitable for children. However children are welcome in Horseshoe Cottage with room for 4 and its own woodland garden.
Minimum Stay 2 nights applies to all accommodation
Eco hot tubs only with Zenaya and Gitana. There is an additional fee of ￡75.00 for exclusive use for two days, thereafter ￡15.00 per day up to 4 days. You can book this directly with us, just book the roulotte and we shall send you details on how to pay for the hot tub. The eco hot tub is fired up and ready for your arrival, plus we shall provide you with a lesson on how to do this for yourself the next day as well as extra eco fuel for your stay and dressing gowns for your comfort. We do reserve the right to cancel in adverse weather conditions. We have a strict ‘no fake tan’ policy in the hot tub. If you would rather not have the eco hot tub then it is best to book another roulotte.

Up to two dogs are welcome in Horseshoe Cottage but they are not allowed in Ruby the Bowtop or the Meadow. Price for dogs: ￡5.00 per dog per day. Please see more info above.
Dogs, no matter how well behaved or tiny are not allowed in the Roulottes.

WEDDINGS AND ELOPEMENTS TOO….

Roulotte Retreat offers the most unusual and unique, boutique wedding venue – the only place in UK with a collection of authentic French hand cared Roulottes around a lochan with a 1950’s wooden Studio and enchanting covered deck amidst Scots pine trees. Enjoy the ambience and passion of France in the heart of the romantic Scottish Borders countryside – eco, chic and romantique! Or why not escape and elope, just the two of you. Please see our website for more details.

EVENTS
Although most people come to Roulotte Retreat for a relaxing, restorative time away from their normal busy lives we occasionally offer Events, e.g. Foraging, Yoga, Massage, Creative Writing, Music and Gin Tasting to date.

Our next Spring Foraging Afternoon at Roulotte Retreat with Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods is on Saturday 25 April, 2015. Join us for a weekend of Roulotting and Foraging or just come for the day to forage around the countryside. Explore the edible, useful and medicinal plants and fungi of spring woods and hedgerows then enjoy an al fresco wild dining/cook-in of our finds. Please enquire for more details of this fun-filled and informative day.

If you would like to organise a residential retreat whilst offering workshops then please get in touch and we can chat more.

We advertise all events and special offers, etc on our website (www.roulotteretreat.com), on our Facebook page (Roulotte Retreat) and on Twitter (@roulotteretreat) and we occasionally send out newsletters by email (sign up for one on our homepage of our website).