Review of the Roxburghe Hotel, Kelso

If you are after luxurious lodgings for a shooting or fishing trip to the Scottish Borders then look no further than the magnificent Roxburghe Hotel, which is owned by the Duke of Roxburghe. It has been recently refurbished and can tailor to your every shooting need and leave you feeling so relaxed you will never want to depart.

Sitting near the banks of the River Teviot, just south of where it meets the famous Tweed, this is prime fishing country and there are a number of fishing lakes in the grounds of the Roxburghe Hotel.

The Roxburghe Hotel is lucky to have the services of expert shooting coach Alistair Ferguson.

But shooting is not overlooked. In fact, the Roxburghe Hotel has an extremely entertaining clay layout, and is lucky enough to call on the services of international clay shooter Alistair Ferguson for shooting instruction. I had a one-hour lesson with him and I think I even made him smile near the end when his insistence on me taking the target earlier started to pay off.

Spoilt for choice at the Roxburghe Hotel

There are plenty of shoots in the area and if you are taking the dogs then there are also kennels in the yard. And if you just fancy taking a stroll there are some lovely walks down the riverbanks and along the quiet country lanes in this sleepy part of the UK.

Also in the grounds of the Roxburghe Hotel is the magnificent golf course, so if you think you might have a spare morning or afternoon then pack your clubs and make it a sporting trip to remember.

The bar offers a wonderful environment for a pre or post dinner drink.

Inside, the Roxburghe Hotel has recently been extensively refurbished and seemingly no expense has been spared with lavish carpets and curtains abounding. The Duchess of Roxburghe has overseen much of the work and the results are stunning. There are 22 bedrooms and our room sported a four-poster bed and open fire.

Fine and private dining at the Roxburghe Hotel

The restaurant lives up to the standard set by the rest of the hotel and breakfast is a challenge not to be taken lightly. However, it will set you up beautifully for a day in the field.

There is also a private dining room at the Roxburghe Hotel which would be perfect for shoot parties. Visitors with a particularly fine palate also have the opportunity to drink from the Duke’s very own wine cellar. So you really can pretend you are the lord of the manor.

Where: Two miles south of Kelso in the Scottish Borders

What we ate: Smoked caulifower soup with chicken wings and ham hock terrine; turbot with devilled kidneys and rib-eye steak. And an excellent cheese board.

Plus points: A grand setting which is matched by the interior design, service and catering. Excellent clay shooting layout with wonderful coach Alistair Ferguson. Abundant fishing and walking opportunities and a superb golf course.

Drawbacks: The Roxburghe Hotel is not cheap, but then it’s definitely worth it.

Shoots in the area: The Duke of Roxburghe’s estate covers some 50,000 acres and there are numerous sporting opportunities in this rural area.

Cost: From £195 (offers available).

Contact: 01573 450331 or visit www.roxburghe-hotel.com

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