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Places To Visit

A short trip to either Edinburgh or Glasgow, we are perfectly situated for exploring the cities, while being surrounded by many local rural attractions. From local wildlife and parks, to golf, fishing and year round skiing, it is all within reach from this quiet, exclusive, but remarkably centrally situated holiday home from home. Perfect if you want to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life but still have easy access to places of interest in the local area or further afield in any direction.

New Lanark Heritage Site

New Lanark World Heritage Site, a beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village in Southern Scotland, close to the Falls of Clyde and less than 30 minutes from Wester Walston Lodge. On their website you will find details of the award-winning Visitor Centre and Hotel in the village, which is one of Scotland's top attractions, welcoming over 400,000 visitors every year from all over the world.

Biggar Park

Biggar Park has a garden of approximately ten acres with the house situated in the middle. The garden is 700 feet above the sea level and is very susceptible to early and late frosts. There is a good collection of hardy hybrid Rhododendrons and Azaleas in a woodland setting, flowering early June followed by groups of several species of Meconopsis. The season starts with a carpet of Fritillarias and then banks of Daffodils. By June the wall garden begins to show its potential with the early Herbaceous plants in large borders designed in a Saltire cross with vegetables and soft fruit behind a typical working wall garden with greenhouse and parterre. By July the shrub Roses, mainly old varieties, are in flower at strategic places throughout the garden. Other features include an Italian garden, rolling lawns and Ornamental Pond.

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Midlothian Ski Centre

Situated in Midlothian close to the boundary of the City of Edinburgh, at the northern extent of the Pentland Hills and 2 miles (3 km) west of Loanhead is the Midlothian Ski Centre. Previously known as Hillend Ski Centre, it incorporates Europe's longest artificial ski slope. The centre comprises two main slopes and two nursery slopes, together with two ski-tows and one chair-lift, which together can carry some 2000 people per hour up the hill. Floodlighting ensures the centre is a notable landmark which can be picked out at night from a considerable distance.

Stobo Castle Health Spa

The Manor of Stobo has a long history spanning over one thousand years. The building of the present castle began in 1805 and was completed in 1811 under the supervision of well-known architects, Archibald and James Elliot.With the passage of time Stobo Castle has undergone many improvements including a recent multi-million pound programme of modernisation. Today it stands proud, a superb example of Scottish baronial architecture and an oasis of hospitality for all its guests.

Edinburgh - Scotlands Capital City

From 5-star visitor attractions and tours, to fabulous food to suit every taste (and wallet), Edinburgh's got it all. The city is home to some of the best galleries and museums in the UK, so whether you're into modern art, want to learn more about Scotland's history or fancy a trip down memory lane with the toys of your childhood, the city has something for you. Add great shopping and world-class theatre to the mix and you really are spoilt for choice. That's where we can help - take a look at the listings below and find your favourite things to do.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo, the largest and most exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland, commited to the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation and environmental education. In just one day, you can meet over 1,000 wonderful animals, in our beautiful parkland setting on the outskirts of Edinburgh. And you can also enjoy a wide range of visitor facilities, from free Hilltop Safari rides to the top of the hill, children's play areas, restaurants, gift shops and masses of events and activities throughout the year.

Biggar

Biggar is an attractive town whose linear layout still follows the course of the Roman road and the modern A702. And at its centre lies the market place, long, broad and gently climbing as you move from west to east. The town remains home to many small locally-run shops, making browsing a more interesting experience than in the identikit high streets all too common elsewhere. It is also home to a range of hotels, cafes, pubs and accommodation providers which make Biggar a candidate as a touring base for southern Scotland.

Biggar Bonfire 

The Hogmanay bonfire in the Borders town of Biggar (pop 2000), dates back to the pagan times when fire was worshipped and believed to ward of evil spirits for the New Year. It has continued at Biggar for hundreds of years and, as far as we are aware, there is no other town in the world that celebrates the coming of the New Year like Biggar. Even during the wars the tradition was kept alive by a group who burned a candle in a tin at the bonfire site, so as not to attract enemy bombers.

Little Sparta

Set in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, Little Sparta is Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest work of art. Imbued with a high idea content, the garden is created from the artistic fusion of poetic and sculptural elements with those of the natural landscape which is shaped and changed to become an inherent part of the concepts realised at Little Sparta.

Glentress

Glentress Forest is located near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, about 30 miles south of Edinburgh. Part of the Tweed Valley Forest Park along with Traquair Forest in Innerleithen, it is the home of a mountain biking centre which is one of the 7stanes mountain bike trails operated throughout southern Scotland by the Forestry Commission.

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