Home Castle

Welcome to Home Castle. The castle has belonged to the same family for almost 600 years. The present house was built in 1785 and incorporates the walls of a much older castle.

Today the castle remains a private family house, available for exclusive fully serviced weekend, mid-week or weekly rental. Restored and continually maintained to the highest standard, every original feature is retained, and can be appreciated as intended. All of the modern comforts that one would expect are successfully incorporated without detracting from the character of the house and the relaxed atmosphere which visitors continually comment upon and enjoy so much.

Weekly prices: £17,500
Short breaks: From £7000

Having arrived at the covered porch you enter the stone flagged Stair Hall. Twin stone staircases converge at an Ionic portico that opens onto the Gallery. The Dining Room has a great twenty-four seat oak table. It was actually constructed in the room in 1897 and has been here ever since. In the evening dinner can be held lit by candles before the log fire, and if the other tables in the room are used, up to 50 guests can comfortably be seated to dine.

The Drawing Room is the same size as the Dining Room, and with its many comfortable chairs and sofas, as well as a baby grand piano, provides an elegant setting for an evening beside the fire. The Morning Room is in the East wing. An oval room, it has bay windows looking east down the lime avenue across the fertile farmland of the Tweed Valley to the Cheviot Hills in Northumberland.

Beyond the Morning Room lies the Ballroom. This magnificent room is the largest in the castle. It has two great crystal chandeliers and can be used for wedding ceremonies, receptions, dances or seminars. Up to 92 guests can comfortably be seated to dinner using our own banqueting chairs and tables. There is also a Billiard room with full size table.

The castle has 14 bedrooms, all completely individual with original period furnishing. Guests are always struck by the size of each room and their huge windows with distant views. Up to twenty-two adults and six children are comfortably accommodated in 12 principal bedrooms. There are eight bedrooms on the second floor and one on the third, with three further principal bedrooms on the ground floor. Of these, nine have en suite bath or shower rooms, and all have their own basin. Two have octagonal turret rooms for children. On the second floor there are also two shower rooms.

All of the bedrooms are heated, spacious and comfortably furnished. If required, there are also two single bedrooms in the dining room and drawing room turrets. These are elegant octagonal rooms, but due to their distance from a bathroom these are not considered to be principal bedrooms.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

The castle is one mile South East of Duns in the eastern Scottish Borders, probably the most accessible part of rural Scotland. The castle stands at the end of a smooth 500 yard private drive in an area of beautifully maintained woodland and grass parks, with distant views to the Cheviot hills. The location is completely rural, there is absolutely no traffic noise and your privacy is assured.

The dramatic cliffs, coves and castles of the coast are fifteen miles to the East, whilst two miles to the North the rich farmland of the Tweed valley changes abruptly to the moorland landscape of the Lammermuir Hills.

The Scottish Borders and Northumberland are rich in historic towns, castles and houses to visit, and this rural setting is packed with opportunities for activities such as cycling, walking, golf, shooting and fishing.

Should you choose to stay at the castle, there is a billiard room, table tennis or croquet on the lawn during the summer. In the grass park anything from a clay pigeon shoot to a full Highland Games can be arranged.

Any activity suitable for the castle or grounds can be arranged. Bands and pipers may be hired and the ballroom is an excellent place to hold a ceilidh, or any other dancing. There is a billiard room with full-size table, and table tennis. Outside, anything from an informal game of croquet on the lawn to clay pigeon shooting or a full Highland Games can be held.

Should you choose to venture away from the castle, the Scottish Borders offer endless opportunity for walking, cycling and historic sights. We are also within easy reach of many excellent golf courses (Duns course is only 2 miles away), historic towns, country houses and castles. In season, excellent shooting and fishing is available locally by arrangement.

Good food is central to any occasion, and this is reflected by the standard of catering offered here. Our head chef will personally consult with you on your exact requirements, and we will endeavour to incorporate any special requests you may have. The Scottish Borders offer a huge natural variety of fresh produce, notably salmon from the river Tweed and seafood from the fishing port of Eyemouth, together with excellent Scotch beef and venison. Fresh local produce is used wherever possible.

 

The castle is in its element when hosting a wedding and reception. The castle is blessed with a remarkable set of four spacious and elegant reception rooms, together with the gallery and the stair hall. The sweeping stone stairs provide a dramatic entrance, and reception parties of up to 92 guests will feel perfectly at ease.

For couples whose families and friends have to travel a long way to attend, a two or three night stay  will give both you and your guests a chance to meet and relax in a way that is not possible at a venue taken for an afternoon or one night.

Both civil and religious wedding ceremonies are welcomed. The castle holds a full civil wedding license, so it is easily arranged for the Registrar to officiate in the castle rather than at the registry office. Alternatively, a Church of Scotland Minister can be asked to preside over your wedding ceremony at the castle. There are also two small historic churches that couples may choose for their wedding before returning to the castle for a reception.

If you marry in the castle itself, the ballroom is a fitting place to hold your wedding ceremony, and all of your reception guests will be comfortably seated. Smaller wedding parties sometimes choose the stair hall for the ceremony, or if it turns out that you have chosen a perfect calm, warm day you may choose the porch or a site in the grounds.

Whether you choose a wedding breakfast or dinner, up to 50 guests may be seated in the Dining room. Larger parties of up to 80 can be seated comfortably in the Ballroom. Our staff will set up the Ballroom for a banquet following your wedding ceremony. The castle is easily large enough for all of your guests to move into other reception rooms while photographs are taken and canapés are served. You will not be aware of the transformation taking place.

We use our own banquet tables, chairs, loose covers, tableware, flatware and crystal. These are all of very high quality and do improve the look and feel of a banquet. We do not use hire stock on any occasion.

As the castle is your 'home away from home' your schedule and choice of entertainments is not limited by the consideration of other paying guests. Pipers and bands can play as late as arranged, and the ballroom is a very fine place for a ceilidh. During the day, activities ranging from clay pigeon shooting to falconry and highland games are easily arranged in the grounds of the castle.

 

- Capacity: The property comfortably sleeps 22 adults and 6 children or teenagers.
- Security deposit: £1000. This is paid on arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: Included. Please leave the property in the state that you found it.
- Arrival time: 4pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Pets: Please enquire.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

"The venue and service has been incredible, and the food too!" June 2008

Anonymous

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"Thank you very much for making our daughter's wedding day such a special occasion. Everything was perfect. Staff excellent, always willing to help. Food excellent, many thanks to the chef. Flowers perfect. We could not have asked for more, even the sun shone. " May 2008

Anonymous

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"It has been over and beyond whatever we imagined and could wish for. Stuart (Events Manager),

Justin (Head Chef) and all the team behind the scenes, thank you so much. We had the wedding of a lifetime; everyone has praised your efforts. Thank you. " May 2008

Anonymous

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"Stunning house, venue and food! The staff were exceptional and tended to our every need. Stuart was the perfect host and organizer. " April 2008

Anonymous

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"Overwhelming! Wonderful hospitality. " February 2008

Anonymous

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We cannot thank you enough for the amazing wedding that you gave us. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of praise from our guests as they say it was the best wedding they have ever been to. The help with the organization of the wedding the run up to it was exceptional. The food was outstanding... the staff very friendly, helpful and professional the whole weekend and it was lovely having David around and helping out. The castle is kept to an exceptional standard, very clean and a delight to stay in. We were hoping that it was going to be the best day of our lives and it exceeded all our expectations. Thank you so very much. The castle and the owners will always be incredibly special to us.

Sarah & Graeme Troy, Edinburgh, Scotland, September 2010

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You've got it so right! Very chic, warm decor. Friendly, welcoming staff. Absolutely delightful!

Y&CB Surrey, UK, August 2010

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A perfect wedding in every way. Amazing food, fantastic location... Our wedding day will be something we will never forget. Amazing!! Thank you to David and all the staff.

James and Gemma, Sheffield, UK, May 2010

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What an amazing place! Run by amazing people. I had a fantastic time and didn't really want to leave in the end. Time here will never be forgotten... Keep up the good work!

Anonymous, June 2009

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Intelligent and truly classy in an authentic, understated and solid way. Impeccable and thoughtful service, chef to be the pride of any place, every dish a discovery. Thank you all for a genuine welcome.

Anonymous, December 2008

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