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Esk Yurt

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· Peebles, Tweeddale, Scotland

1 acre hosted by Ellie C.

1 glamping pitch

Best in Scotland: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Adult only yurt glamping in the Scottish Borders with exceptional views, hiking trails, and wild swimming

Visiting Scotland is likely already on (or has been confidently ticked off) your bucket list, but how about staying in a hand-crafted yurt? Here’s your chance to do both. Ellie and Scott, two passionate designers with an eye for interiors, have created a wild, natural little haven, steeped in Arthurian legend. Rumour has it this off-grid retreat is next to the valley of Saint Mungo, and it was Saint Mungo who encouraged Merlin to convert to Christianity. Wizards and legends lead you to Esk and its very own magical qualities. In this place of tranquillity and healing lies a wild, luscious dwelling surrounded by ancient redwood trees bordering the renowned Dawyck Botanic Garden, where you'll want to sit on your very own decking with a coffee in hand and listen to the sweet songs of the Mistle Thrushes.

Esk Yurt is the result of a true labour of love. It is an insulated, 16-foot Mongolian style yurt designed with all-weather conditions in mind. The yurt sleeps two with a comfy double bed. Inside is a gas hob for your cooking, although Ellie requests no meat to be cooked inside the yurt, given that it is a healing Ahimsa space used for holistic therapies in between stays — so make sure you perfect your veggie risotto before arriving! Guests are also provided with a wood burning stove to stay cosy in those winter months. Filtered water is provided from their underground well and accompanying your yurt there's a private bathroom with a hand pump shower and composting toilet. Don your guest robes and stroll over to the wildflower meadow before reading by candlelight in bed.

Esk Yurt is the perfect base camp for all that this area of bonnie Scotland has to offer. Walk just five minutes and you'll come across the perfect wild swimming spot on the River Tweed. Dawyck Botanic Gardens, particularly known for its heritage trees, is a short walk away where there is a cafe to suit your morning croissant needs. The historic market town of Peebles is a 15-minute drive away with a selection of quaint bars and restaurants, or if you're feeling bold, head to Biggar Adventure for an afternoon of rock climbing and archery, before heading back to your yurt to soak in the magic.

A place where you can leave everything behind and rest in the sacred embrace of Esk and the trees, the sound of owls, woodpeckers, cuckoos and song birds such as Song Thrushes and Mistle Thrush. Esk was lovingly hand built by the craft folk at ‘Yurt works’, she is an authentic 16 foot Mongolian style yurt with felt insulation for cosines, dressed with a rustic chic interior. Located in the picturesque Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders in a designated scenic area, Esk is snuggly situated in the border of a beautiful woodland garden with wild flower meadow. Esk is completely offgrid lit by moon and candlelight with gas hobs for cooking, wood burning stove for hot water and heat, a hand pump shower and beautiful composting toilet ;) Filtered water is provided from our underground well. Sleeps 2 people.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Natural features

Forest

Farm

100%

5 Ratings · 5 reviews

Alice W.recommends

August 28, 2023

Esk Yurt experience

We loved staying in this yurt - gorgeous setting and very peaceful. So close to the Botanical Garden as well, a must-see!

Kelly N.recommends

March 17, 2023

Esk Yurt experience

Ellie went above & beyond to make my stay spectacular. I specifically booked her yurt knowing it was meant to snow, which came with its challenges like the gas / water pump freezing, but Ellie made sure to bring hot water to me & hot water bottles to counterbalance the effects the weather had on the yurt. She also had the word burning stove running since the morning so that the yurt was already cozy when I arrived. So much attention to detail! Ellie cooks lovely vegetarian meals for an extra price which I highly recommend. I had such a magical time staying in her yurt in the snow, but I can only imagine it’s equally lovely during the warmer months. The botanic gardens & cafe nearby are a short walk & an extremely beautiful feature to have such easy access to during the stay. Overall, you can’t miss if you’re down to have a more stripped back nature glamping experience.

Judy I.recommends

October 1, 2021

Esk Yurt experience

Esk yurt provided the perfect antidote to the pressures and business of everyday life. The calm and tranquility is balm to the soul. The yurt is so cosy especially when the wood burner is lit and it heats up the yurt fabulously. The attention to detail within the yurt and the surrounding cooking, toilet/ washing facilities is beautiful. The surrounding countryside is breath taking as are the botanical gardens next door, and nearby Peebles is a lovely little town. Ellie and her family are also very welcoming and friendly but give you complete space. If you need some space to unwind I would definitely recommend Esk Yurt

Fiona P.recommends

September 21, 2021

Esk Yurt experience

We have just returned from a wonderfully peaceful 3 night stay in this beautiful yurt. Firstly the yurt itself- wow just so wonderfully decorated and has such a peaceful vibe, we felt instantly relaxed. The fire was set up for our first night and as it was a bit chilly on an evening we used it every evening, which surprisingly really heated up the yurt - just fab. Loved the kitchen / outside area, a great set up all round. Had much fun with the shower and if you follow instructions it works a treat. The piece to resistance is the setting though - a giant redwood tree just outside the door …. Just wow. We heard so many tawny owls every night and saw hares in the woods. Also a pleasant stroll from the yurt and your in the Dawyck Botanical Gardens which are a must, as they are stunning. Loved every thing about our stay, just feel we missed out on the full experience as Ellie was away and we will have to return for the food options and some Reiki, as this would have finished the whole trip off perfectly.

Shaunie P.recommends

September 2, 2021

Esk Yurt experience

Our stay was absolutely magical. Such a beautiful, quaint setting. We had everything we needed and communication was fantastic. Can't wait to rebook! Cannot recommend this place enough!

Location

Peebles, Tweeddale, Scotland, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Ellie C.

Joined in July 2021

From the host

‘Esk’ yurt has been created as a sublime retreat in nature to provide a healing soothing balm for your soul. A very special place to stay offgrid with every comfort thought out to make your stay special. Esk is set in the stunning Tweed Valley with wild swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, beautiful walks and an abundance of nature on the doorstep. We have a menu of additional indulgent offerings available upon request to tailor your stay and make your time extra special.

Nearby attractions

Esk is a five-minute walk from a wild swimming spot on the River Tweed, ideal for kayak or paddleboard trips. Walk ten minutes to the Dawyck Botanical Gardens (01721 760254) which has a lovely café and 65 acres of beautiful seasonal displays. If relaxation and luxury is your aim, Esk is also a 10-minute cycle from Stobo (01721 725300), an award-winning, world-class luxury spa, where you can book in for a range of treatments. Hop on the bus for five minutes to the start of the John Buchan Way which is a renowned 13 mile beautifully scenic walk. Peebles a 12-minute drive from Esk is a wonderfully historic market town, which has a small selection of cafes, bars, and shops. Feeling adventurous? Head to Biggar Adventure (07834 871575), a 12-minute drive away for a range of thrilling activities such as abseiling, rock climbing, and mountain biking!

Food and drink

The Dawyck Botanic Gardens is the closest café to Esk and is a 10-minute walk away and sells hot food and drinks. Broughton is the nearest village with a general store, and the Laurel Bank tea rooms/bistro are located there. Peebles, a historic market town, is only a 15-minute drive away has a large range of cafes, restaurants, and pubs such as Coltman's (01721 720405), a delicious deli, restaurant, and bar which uses fresh seasonal produce and has lovely views over the River Tweed. Franco's (01721 720510), an Italian restaurant in Peebles, also comes highly recommended. To freshen the palette if you have a sweet tooth, you must visit Cocoa Black (01721 723 764) chocolate shop and the brainchild of UK chocolate master Ruth Hinks. Loved by locals and celebrities you can pick up a range of delectable deserts to enjoy in your yurt!

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