Tiny Home Borders: An Off-Grid Cabin Escape in Scotland's Hidden Region
Nestled on a sheep and deer farm near Hawick, a town famed for its whisky and woollens, Tiny Home Borders offers a secluded off-grid cabin experience that feels more akin to Finland or Sweden than the Scottish countryside. This tiny, repurposed oak cabin sits beside a private lochan, featuring a separate cedar sauna, cold outdoor shower, sunken hot tub, and a jetty with hammocks and paddleboards. The isolation is so profound it could inspire a New Lives in the Wild episode, with two swans heralding arrivals and a sense of ownership over the entire wild setting.
Swim, Soak, and Switch Off in Seclusion
Sometimes, escaping to a place with poor phone coverage is essential for a truly wild experience. Tiny Home Borders, hidden in rippling foothills ten miles east of Hawick, provides just that. Owners David and Claire Mactaggart opened their second two-person cabin in August, following the success of their first in 2022, inviting guests to stay, swim, soak, and crucially, switch off. On the windblown deck above the water, activities abound: from firing up the outdoor wood oven to enjoying a sauna, cold plunge in the lochan, and a relaxing soak in the hot tub, all accompanied by the scent of wood smoke. Evenings can be spent with pizza by a crackling log burner or stargazing through a provided telescope.
The Rise of Agritourism in Scotland
As farms seek new revenue streams, agritourism is a growing sector. Visit Scotland estimates that agritourism and farm retail could reach £250 million by 2030, driven by consumer interest in sustainable tourism. Scotland will host the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference in June, highlighting discussions on diversifying farming sustainably. The Mactaggarts built their first tiny hut from an old bale trailer as an experiment, aiming to create an eco-friendly home away from home with a mezzanine sleeping space and dramatic views below Rubers Law. They now have two cabins, with plans for a third, all featuring hemp insulation, solar panels, reclaimed wood, and no wifi.
Exploring the Undervisited Scottish Borders
Located a 90-minute drive from Edinburgh, Tiny Home Borders serves as a perfect base for exploring an often-overlooked region. Claire Mactaggart notes that many visitors merely drive through the Borders, unaware of its beauty. Breakfast delights include fresh bread, salty butter, homemade marmalade, farm eggs, and coffee on the deck with binoculars provided. Wildlife abounds, with red deer outnumbering people, offering opportunities to spot the Borders' Big Five: deer, sheep, fox, pheasant, and red squirrel on hikes up Rubers Law.
Historic Hawick: A Town of Textiles and Tradition
Few parts of the Borders rival historic Hawick, a town of textile weavers with cosy cafes, craft shops, and tweed retailers. It's stitched together by four bridges and mills for renowned knitwear manufacturers like Hawico and Lovat Mill. Johnstons of Elgin stands out with a visitor centre, cafe, and showroom showcasing Borders knitwear, coveted by haute couture brands such as Chanel and Dior. After lunch at Damascus Drum cafe-bookshop, guided tours of Eastfield Mill reveal a labyrinthine operation with knitters and a yarn library holding 18 tonnes of colourful yarns.
Whisky and Community in the Borders
The Borders Distillery, housed in a former hydroelectric plant, offers a fitting end to a winter day. Distiller David Shuttleworth explains that their whisky's story is tied to Hawick's landscape, with malt sourced locally within 20 miles, ensuring a low carbon footprint and community-driven vision. A glass of blended Scotch, smelling of green apples and grass, encapsulates the region's spirit. Back at the cabin, under a rainy awning, the experience leaves a lasting impression of rural community and inspiration, hoping to attract more visitors to this overlooked gem.
Practical Information: The trip was provided by Visit Scotland and Tiny Home Borders. Tiny Home One sleeps two, starting from £180 per night B&B with a two-night minimum. Johnstons of Elgin tours cost £15, and Borders Distillery tours are £20. For more details, visit Scotland Starts Here.
