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The Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course

THE DUKE OF ROXBURGHE'S LUXURY HOTEL

This unique hotel owned by the Duke of Roxburghe himself,  has 22 spacious bedrooms, a championship golf course and the full range of sporting pursuits in tow thanks to the surrounding Roxburghe Estates. The Roxburgh Hotel offers a getaway destination within striking distance of Edinburgh. 

The bedrooms, many of which feature four poster beds and some with log fires, represent an aristocratic retreat coupled with award winning dining, roaring fires and the best in luxury and service. A labour of love by the Duke of Roxburghe, it is the personal touches that make the Roxburghe so special. From the furnishings, books and paintings from the Duke’s own home, to his selection of fine wines and his influence on the accommodation and impeccable standards of service, the hotel is a true home from home with character and individuality throughout.

Hotel Overview

When you book The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, you and your guests can enjoy the use of one of Scotland’s most charming and intimate country houses. Enjoy the seclusion and distinctive atmosphere of this unique property. Dine in the Chez Roux restaurant, enjoy a drink in the Library bar, take a stroll around the beautiful grounds or relax in the Beauty Suite.  For the more adventurous, why not play a round on the hotel's very own golf course or learn to shoot clays at the shooting school.  We can even arrange bird shooting or fishing on The Tweed. 

The Bedrooms

Each bedroom at the hotel is unique, with its own décor and antique furnishings. The hotel provides facilities that match those of many hotels with TV, phone and ensuite bathroom for each of the rooms. There are a total of 22 rooms including courtyard rooms located within a couple of minutes of the main building.

Dining Rooms fit for a Duke

Overlooking the grounds the Main Dining Room has provided the setting for many memorable dinners. The room is light and airy and will comfortably seat 20-40 people. The Roxburghe Dining Room is a smaller more intimate space, ideal for seating up to 14. Larger events at the hotel can be accommodated with a marquee in our beautiful gardens.

Copious relaxation rooms

The ground floor of the house has elegant, inter-connecting public rooms with a surprising amount of flexibility. The Drawing Room provides a beautiful space for drinks receptions, or an afternoon tea with views over the gardens. The library bar provides a comfortable area ideal for relaxing after business or pleasure the perfect place to unwind late into the evening.  The Conservatory with its views is an ideal space for a group event with seating available up to 56.

Beauty and Treatments

The Beauty Suite offers a superb range of luxury treatments, many of which are exclusive to the area. The therapists employ Elemis products including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, body therapies and a range of massage types. 

Therapists give expert skin and lifestyle advice free of charge and product gift sets and starter packs are available to purchase. The Roxburghe health and beauty suite is the only salon offering Chocolate massage, Lava Shell massage and hot wax intimate waxing in the Kelso area. Also offering Jessica for nails, hands, feet and Mii make up for all your special occasions. The range of treatments on offer provides a relaxing and rewarding element to your visit.

History of Roxburghe Hotel 

(Formerly known as Sunlaws House Hotel)

The history surrounding Sunlaws and the village of Heiton can be traced as far back as the 12th century when David I was King of Scots. At this time, the medieval town of Roxburgh, now vanished, stood between the rivers of Tweed and Teviot in front of what is now Floors Castle. There has been a dwelling house at Sunlaws for many centuries and one of the earliest records states that John Hume of Ersiltoun (Earlston) purchased the mill at Sunlaws in 1543.

In June of 1544, during the period known as the “Rough Wooing”, a band of Englishmen entered Scotland and burned Sunlaws; they took eight Scots and 40 oxen. When the Abbeys of Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh and Melrose were sacked and destroyed along with 36 other places on the River Teviot, these included towers and villages of Heyton-on-the-Hill, Sunlaws, Ormiston and Roxburgh.

In September of 1600 James Kerr of Chatto acquired lands in Heiton and further enlarged his holdings in 1614 by purchasing from William Rutherford “Sunlaws with Myln lands thereof”.

During October of 1715, at the time of the first Jacobite rising, William Kerr of Chatto and Sunlaws was living in Kelso whilst “Sunlaws was being rebuilt” and his younger son, Robert, joined the Jacobite army who had gathered in Kelso on the 23rd October 1715. Robert was later captured at the siege of Preston and transported to America where he subsequently died. The start of a long association of the Kerr family and the Jacobite cause. Some short time afterwards Sunlaws was ready for occupation but in 1720, the house was discovered one night to be in flames and William Kerr only just escaped with his life. He died the following year at the age of 68 and the estate was passed to his daughter, Christian, Lady Chatto.

It is a firm family belief that Christian was Mistress of Sunlaws; Bonnie Prince Charlie spent the night of the 5th November 1745 at Sunlaws House, where he planted a white rose bush in the grounds.  Certainly, Lady Chatto's household account books for the time indicate large purchases of food and more.  Would this have been normal or were extra guests expected? 

On the 30 April 1770, the “Public Advertiser” reported “that at about ten o’clock in the evening Sunlaws was burnt to the ground by an accidental fire”.  A servant had left a candle where “some thatch was hanging down with which it communicated, and in a moment after the whole roof being all of thatch was a blaze”. No lives were lost though everything was destroyed.

On Lady Chatto's death, the estate passed to her nephew, William Scott of Thirlestain and he adopted the name of Scott-Kerr. In 1796, Robert Scott-Kerr applied to the trustees, who then governed the Sunlaws estate, for permission to rebuild it and "improve the estates viz. The Parks of Sunlaws and the Farms of Broompark and Whitehillfoot."  Events must have moved slowly because in 1809 another document details Robert Kerr's plans for a "New Mansion House and offices and garden wall at Sunlaws."  The house must have been built shortly after that and in 1831, Robert Scott-Kerr died to be succeeded by William Scott-Kerr.  In 1885 there was a disastrous fire which although took no lives destroyed valuable furnishings and heirlooms of the Scotts of Thirlestain. Sunlaws House was quickly repaired and rebuilt as it was.

During the 1960’s Sunlaws Estate was acquired by the Duke of Roxburghe and after using the house as an Estate Office for some time has turned Sunlaws, this “phoenix from the ashes”, into a gracious country house hotel of the 21st century

Golf

The Championship Golf Course at the Roxburghe Golf Club lies just a few steps away from the hotel and is the 5th top inland course in Scotland, set in 200 acres it is the region’s first Championship standard golf course.

Dave Thomas, internationally renowned golf course architect and former Ryder Cup star was appointed by the Duke in March 1995.  His brief was to create a golf course of the highest quality using existing natural features of the site to maximum effect.  What you will now find as a golfer is a wonderful course on a fabulous piece of land, a manageable test and visual treat.  This course bears all the unique hallmarks of Dave Thomas, numerous deep challenging bunkers, mature woodland to define fairways, dramatic water hazards and generous rolling greens.  The course is Par 72 and 7111 yards.

By Private Helicopter

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North 5533.5
West 00227.9
The Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course
Heiton
KELSO

By Car

From Edinburgh take the City South Bypass (A720) to the Sheriff Hall round-about at Dalkeith. Follow the A68 to Jedburgh. One mile before you reach Jedburgh, turn left at the Car Wash onto the A698 signposted to Kelso, for 7 miles. Just as you come to the village of Heiton, you will see signage for the hotel on your left.