Gone fishing

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Edinburgh Evening News {Main}

Keyword:

Crabtree & Crabtree

UK Friday 28, October 2011 35 434 sq. cm ABC 43046 Daily page rate £4,920.28, scc rate £18.09 0131 620 8620

TRAVEL GRAHAMLINDSAYHEADSSOUTHFORAWELCOMEBORDERSBREAK

Gone fishing

S

TAYCATIONS may be in vogue thanks to the economy, but Scotland has always been an attractive place for holidays in its own right. In the October school holidays, the car was pointed south for a trip to the Borders after many to the Highlands and islands. The first surprise was for the children, braced for a long drive, when the mileage sign on the Dalkeith bypass revealed that the destination, Coldstream, was a mere 40 miles away. The second was the stunning location and quality of the holiday home. Garden House on the Milne Graden Estate is set in woodland on a small raised lawn overlooking the River Tweed. Superbly furnished and equipped, it was ideal for a short break and would have been just as good for a longer stay. There are seven holiday properties on the Milne Graden Estate, which dates from 1821 when Admiral Sir David Milne paid £35,000 for 800 acres of land. The main house, named Milne Graden after the Graden Burn which runs into the Tweed below the house, was designed by James Gillespie. More than 100 stonemasons and builders were employed and the stone was taken from a quarry in the nearby Graden Glen. From the Garden House, a short but steep path leads directly to banks of the river which is, for any angler, surely one of the great places to fish. A first walk along bank led to an encounter with one fisherman who netted a mighty slab of polished silver, a beautiful

beast of around 15lbs, bearing the bitemark of a seal on its tail. Freed to continue its journey to the spawning grounds, in accordance with the Tweed catch-and-release policy, it proved to be just the first of many salmon spotted during the brief stay by the river. The visitors book in the house reveals that others had seen otters, kingfishers and plenty more wildlife on the estate. The facilities and equipment in the house are more than adequate for a fully self-sufficient self-catering stay but, for the sake of convenience on the day of arrival or just to enjoy a quality meal without having to venture out, letting agents Crabtree & Crabtree of Kelso can arrange delivery of a three-course, locally-sourced, for any number from Fiona Burn of nearby Barmoor Red House. Once the welcoming supplies in the house are exhausted, more goodies are available from Pharlanne delicatessen in nearby Kelso. It would be possible to spend an entire break at Milne Graden enjoying the surroundings and lounging in the house but a trip across the border to the Northumberland coast for a kitesurfing lesson was first on the agenda and Kevin Anderson of www.kitesurfinglessons.co.uk provides instruction at various locations on the stunning Northumberland coast. Imagine flying the biggest and best kite on a beach and that’s the gist of the introductory course, with the option to get wet-suited up and into the water to experience the full power of the kites in the

surf. Kevin also offers stand-up paddling expeditions on surfboards and Coasteering, a form of canyoning but using seaside rocks and other features. The famous Farne Islands, scene of Grace Darling’s daring shipwreck rescue, and home to seals and various seabirds are just off the Northumberland coast at Seahouses and a boat trip with William Shiel jnr on the Glad Tidings provided a great chance to get close to the seals and see pups born just a few days before. It is also an eye-opening close encounter with the fearsome reefs which proved so dangerous to shipping and prompted the building of a succession of lighthouses on the islands. Staying south of the Border, a fun hack around the farm at Kimmerston Riding Centre was great way to spend an hour and afforded tremendous views of the Northumberland countryside rolling up to the brooding Cheviot Hills. For more experienced riders, the centre also offers the fantastic opportunity to ride on the beach at Holy Island. Back at the house, for a longer stay, other activity options include fishing, art and cookery lessons. Bagpipe lessons, bicycle polo and hot air balloon rides are all available.

TRAVEL FACTS „ Crabtree & Crabtree: www.crabtreeandcrabtree. com 42 The Square, Kelso, Roxburghshire, TD5 7HL,

Reproduced by Durrants under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines), FT (Financial Times/ft.com) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner. All FT content is copyright The Financial Times Ltd.

Article Page 1 of 2

195731389 - KRICHA - A20604-1 - 53173723

Source: Edition: Country: Date: Page: Area: Circulation: BRAD info: Phone:

Edinburgh Evening News {Main}

Keyword:

Crabtree & Crabtree

UK Friday 28, October 2011 35 434 sq. cm ABC 43046 Daily page rate £4,920.28, scc rate £18.09 0131 620 8620

01573-226144 „ Fiona Burn: barmoorredhouse@tiscali. co.uk 01289 388223 „ Pharlanne Delicatessen, www.pharlanne.co.uk 01573 229745 „ Kevin Anderson: www. kitesurfinglessons.co.uk 07766 303876. Three-hour power kite course £65. One-day kitesurfing course £99. „ William Shiel jnr: www. farne-islands.com 01665 721297. Fares from £13 for adults and £9 for children depending on trip. „ Kimmerston Riding Centre: www.kimmerston.com 01668 216283. One hour novice ride £25 (adult), £20 (12-15), £15 (under 12). Beach ride £90/£80/£70.

Reproduced by Durrants under licence from the NLA (newspapers), CLA (magazines), FT (Financial Times/ft.com) or other copyright owner. No further copying (including printing of digital cuttings), digital reproduction/forwarding of the cutting is permitted except under licence from the copyright owner. All FT content is copyright The Financial Times Ltd.

Article Page 2 of 2

195731389 - KRICHA - A20604-1 - 53173723