The Perfect Family Getaway Birkenside Cottage is a peaceful haven, located at the end of a track, in the midst of a forestry reserve, in the heart of the Scottish Borders. With two comfortable bedrooms, a modern kitchen, stylish living room with wood burning stove, the cottage offers off grid living with luxury trappings. The garden is generous, bordering a forestry reserve on three sides, & fields on the other. There are no neighbours, no one overlooking, no noise to mar your peace. The space The cottage is entirely open plan, there are no internal doors (with the exception of the bathroom!) and each room flows into the other. As you enter you will find the bathroom to your left and a cupboard ahead of you – there is a pull out coat hanger and boot shelf for all your outdoor things. As you proceed left you’ll enter the kitchen, with a large American fridge freezer looking onto the breakfast island – sorry there are only 3 stools as that’s what fits best, so one of us usually perches on the other side, or does the serving and then swaps. Opposite the island are the hob and oven and in the cupboard to the left of these you’ll find the microwave. Above the hob are cupboards containing basic staples such as herbs, salt and pepper, olive oil, flour, sugar, and instant coffee. There is a Krups Nespresso machine with pods provided, as well as a cafetiere and tea pot. We spend a lot of our time at the cottage and have tried to kit it out with everything we want and need but are always open to feedback if there is something you find lacking. Moving on through you’ll see the double butler sink to the right of which is the dishwasher. Continuing straight ahead you’ll pass by the large chimney on your right and the door to the deck on your left, through into the living room. There is a large farmhouse table for dining, card games, arts and crafts and anything else you might think of. In the living room there is a second wood burning stove, flat screen TV, sofa and arm chair and chest containing all manner of board games. In the corner is the cabinet which houses all the CDs, cassettes and records for the stereo above. In the right hand drawer are paper and colouring pencils, and to the left are matches for the fire. As you leave this room with the chimney on your right and walk through the doorway you’ll come to the first bedroom. You will note there is no door to this room, it is all open plan. The room contains a kingsize bed, two bedside tables and matching lamps and a large three door wardrobe. In the bottom drawer of this you’ll find extra blankets which you’re free to use if you're cold. There is also a yoga mat and blocks should one of your party wish to try some yoga on the deck – highly recommended! As you leave this room you can climb the stairs to your left, which leads to the mezzanine floor. You will note a locked cupboard halfway up the stairs – this houses the boiler and should not be touched. At the top of the stairs you may note a locked door to your right, this is reserved for storage and should not be opened. Please note also that this locked space is the open mezzanine balcony which is particularly unsafe for children. The mezzanine room contains a large kingsize sofa bed with matching bedside tables and both sides are lined with cupboards. The drawers are for you to use as storage and there is also a clothes rail for hanging space. In the other cupboards you will find all manner of toys and books for children to play with. Feel free to use anything you like. Guest access In the cottage itself, guests have access to all but a couple of storage spaces. The outhouse next door to the cottage contains a storage room, shed, battery room and generator room. Keys to the battery room will be available as that is where the games are kept, however all other rooms will remain locked. You have full access to the entire garden and are free to wonder respectfully through the neighbouring fields and woods. Registration Details SB00499F