Wallace House | 9-Bedroom Manor in Innerleithen Scotland

Eighteen guests gathering around a table that seats sixteen. Nine bedrooms distributed across three floors of a Georgian manor house. Two acres of private grounds sloping toward the Tweed valley. This is Wallace House, a substantial family retreat in Innerleithen where the scale of the space matches the ambition of large group holidays in the Scottish Borders.

Inside Wallace House

Wallace House sleeps 18 guests across 9 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, distributed deliberately across ground, first and second floors to create distinct zones for different family branches or friendship groups.

The ground floor contains a statement bedroom with king-size bed, paired with an en-suite water closet and accessible shower room featuring an easy-access shower unit—reached via an external ramp to a separate entrance. This thoughtful accessibility provision makes the manor inclusive for guests with mobility requirements, uncommon in period properties of this age.

The first floor hosts the principal bedrooms. A four-poster bed anchors the front-facing suite with shared bathroom access. Two further bedrooms offer super-king or twin configurations—one with front views, the other with access to a shared bathroom via connecting steps. A fourth first-floor bedroom provides double-bed accommodation with its own shower room. Two additional bedrooms on this floor feature super-king beds with interconnecting doors, ideal for extended family groups wanting semi-private zones. One of these includes an en-suite water closet with separate stair access to the ground floor, offering practical independence.

The second floor contains two attic bedrooms designed as a children’s suite—one with two single beds and television, a second with smaller beds specifically for younger guests. A shared bathroom serves both rooms.

The reception spaces occupy the ground floor with genuine presence. The L-shaped drawing room divides into formal and relaxed zones, anchored by an open fireplace. A baby grand piano sits ready for guests who play. Freeview television provides evening entertainment. Comfortable sofas face both the fire and the views across the Tweed valley toward wooded hillsides. Adjacent, a separate sitting room extends the lounging capacity without the formality.

The dining room faces the front elevation with capacity for sixteen seated guests around a single table. Additional seating extends this to twenty when a secondary table adjoins the primary one. Bold contemporary art adorns the walls—a deliberate contrast to the traditional setting.

The kitchen occupies the rear with authentic country character. Original flagstone flooring, a traditional dresser, and pine furniture create working authenticity rather than designer renovation. An oil-fired AGA and conventional electric oven provide cooking flexibility for large-scale meal preparation. A breakfast table seats eight informally. The adjacent utility room houses dishwasher and washing machine with external access to a small rear garden—practical for groups managing significant laundry volumes across eighteen guests.

A cloakroom off the main hall serves reception spaces. Wi-Fi extends throughout. Central heating maintains comfort during the Scottish Borders’ cooler months.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The manor commands two acres of private grounds, creating substantial separation from neighboring properties. A sloped lawn descends from the main elevation, naturally draining and providing varied topography for games or contemplation. Mature trees surround the perimeter, screening the property and creating an enclosed estate feeling despite rural setting.

Views from the upper portions of the gardens sweep across the Tweed valley—the river itself visible on clear days, marking the boundary between Borders terrain. Deciduous woodland beyond creates a shifting backdrop that changes through seasons, from spring leaf emergence through autumn color.

An external ramp provides accessible ground-floor entry, while garden furniture distributed across the lawn accommodates outdoor dining and gathering. A barbecue installation enables al fresco cooking, extending the kitchen’s capacity during summer months when Borders evenings remain light until after 10pm.

The rear garden area, accessible from the utility room, offers quieter space for morning tea or reading away from the main lawn activity. Parking accommodates multiple vehicles, essential for groups arriving separately or exploring the surrounding area in private cars.

Location: Innerleithen and the Surrounding Area

Innerleithen itself—a village of approximately 2,500 residents along the Tweed—offers general grocery shopping, post office services, and cafes within 2km of Wallace House. For substantial supermarket provisioning, Peebles town center lies 9km northwest, where Tesco Extra and Sainsbury’s facilitate major shopping deliveries. Galashiels, 14km northeast, provides additional retail capacity.

The River Tweed, flowing immediately beyond the southern boundary of the Borders landscape, supports active fishing permits available through local ghillies. The river’s clear water and established brown trout population make it Scotland’s premier freshwater fishery. Wallace House’s riverside position creates direct access to this tradition without requiring lengthy drives to fishing beats.

Golf courses proliferate across the Borders within 20km radius. Innerleithen Golf Club sits 3km from the property, an 18-hole moorland course with autumn views to the Pentland Hills. Cardrona, 12km southwest, hosts both 9 and 18-hole courses through forested terrain. Melrose Golf Club, 17km northeast, commands one of Scotland’s most picturesque settings with abbey ruins visible from several greens.

Glentress Forest near Peebles, 11km away, operates Britain’s largest dedicated mountain-biking center with trails spanning beginner to elite difficulty. Walking routes crisscross the Borders—the Southern Upland Way long-distance path passes within 8km, offering multi-day hiking for serious trekkers.

Cultural attractions include Abbotsford House, 15km northeast—Sir Walter Scott’s baronial residence preserving his library and memorabilia—and Melrose Abbey, 16km away, where twelfth-century Gothic ruins dominate a village green. Traquair House, immediately accessible by complimentary entry for Wallace House guests, represents Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house (dating to 1107), with working brewery producing the regional ale served in local pubs.

Edinburgh lies 50km northeast (approximately 45-minute drive), making Wallace House viable as a Highland base for guests combining countryside retreat with city exploration. Edinburgh Airport, 65km distant, requires approximately 75-minute transfer time, comfortable for multi-day holidays.

Seasonal considerations shape Borders visits. May through September offer reliable weather for outdoor pursuits—July and August bring school holidays and peak visitor numbers to attractions. Spring (April-May) brings lambing season across hillside farms and wildflower emergence. Autumn (September-October) delivers clear skies and landscape color without peak summer crowds. Winter (December-February) brings occasional snow to higher elevations and shorter daylight, but creates quiet seclusion perfect for substantial family gatherings focused on indoor entertainment.

Browse our full collection of luxury villas in Scottish Borders to explore alternative properties in the region, or discover more premium accommodations throughout Scotland.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families spanning three generations find Wallace House’s multi-floor layout ideal for creating semi-autonomous household zones. Grandparents occupy ground-floor accessibility-friendly space while adult children claim first-floor suites and grandchildren settle into the top-floor children’s bedroom pair.

Large friendship groups—reunions of university peers, professional colleagues on team-building retreats, or milestone birthday celebrations—benefit from the substantial entertaining capacity (dining for 16-20), multiple lounging areas, and sleeping accommodation for 18 without cramping.

Families with children aged 5-16 gain from ground-floor accessibility, dedicated children’s bedrooms, nearby attractions including golf, fishing, and mountain biking accessible to age-appropriate skill levels, and substantial grounds for unsupervised outdoor play. The baby grand piano appeals to musically trained guests. Freeview television and Wi-Fi sustain younger guests during downtime without requiring streaming subscriptions.

Couples seeking Highland base camps discover Wallace House equally functional—booking the property for relaxation doesn’t require filling all nine bedrooms. The drawing room’s fireplace, river valley views, and outdoor grounds create intimate experience despite the property’s scale.

Practical Information

Capacity & Bedrooms: 18 guests maximum. 9 bedrooms across three floors: 1 ground-floor king, 6 first-floor bedrooms in various configurations (four-poster, super-kings, doubles), 2 second-floor attic singles-focused rooms.

Bathrooms: 5 bathrooms total across all floors, including accessible shower room on ground floor, en-suites on ground and first floors, shared facilities on first and second floors.

Nearest Airport: Edinburgh Airport, 65km northeast, approximately 70-75 minute drive by car rental.

Nearest Supermarket: Peebles Tesco Extra, 9km northwest, with delivery options available to the property.

Included in Rental: Central heating, Wi-Fi internet connection, all utilities, Freeview television, AGA and electric oven cooking, dishwasher and washing machine access, barbecue equipment. Bed linens and bathroom towels supplied. Complimentary entry to Traquair House grounds during stay.

Check-in & Flexibility: Contact Excellence Luxury Villas for specific arrival windows and early check-in availability. Pet accommodation available by prior request, typically limited to ground-floor spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wallace House

How many guests does Wallace House sleep?

Wallace House accommodates 18 guests maximum across 9 bedrooms. The ground floor provides 1 king-bed bedroom. The first floor contains 6 bedrooms in mixed configurations—four-poster, super-king or twin options, and double beds. The second floor comprises 2 children’s bedrooms, each with twin or multiple single beds. No sofa beds or rollaway cots are available, so maximum capacity is fixed at 18.

What is the nearest airport to Wallace House in Innerleithen?

Edinburgh Airport, 65km northeast of Wallace House, serves as the primary arrival point. Standard car rental transfer takes approximately 70-75 minutes via the A7 and A702 southbound route. Glasgow Airport, 115km northwest, requires approximately 100-minute transfer time. No scheduled shuttle services operate to Innerleithen specifically, so private car hire is essential.

What is the best time of year to rent Wallace House?

May through September offers reliable weather for outdoor activities—fishing on the Tweed, golf at nearby courses, and walking. July-August brings school holidays and peak visitor numbers, so early May or September provides similar conditions with fewer crowds. Spring (April-May) brings lambing season and wildflower displays across hillside farms. Autumn (September-October) delivers exceptional clear skies and landscape color. Winter (December-February) suits indoor-focused gatherings and family celebrations, though occasional snow affects higher elevations and shorter daylight limits outdoor pursuits.

Is Wallace House suitable for families with children?

Yes. The ground floor includes accessibility features and a dedicated children-focused zone on the second floor with two bedrooms specifically fitted for younger guests, each with television. Nearby attractions include Glentress Forest mountain-bike center (beginner trails for children aged 8+), fishing suitable for adult-supervised youth, golf instruction available at local clubs, and Traquair House with grounds suitable for exploration and play. The two-acre garden provides safe unsupervised space for outdoor activity. Supermarket delivery services in nearby Peebles accommodate specialized dietary requirements for infants and toddlers.

What is included in the rental price at Wallace House?

Central heating and Wi-Fi internet access are included. All utilities (water, electricity, gas heating) are covered. Bed linens and bathroom towels are provided and changed between guests. Freeview television service is available throughout. The AGA and electric oven, dishwasher, and washing machine are available for guest use. Barbecue equipment is provided for outdoor cooking. Complimentary entry to nearby Traquair House grounds is included for all guests during their stay. Standard housekeeping and final departure cleaning are included. Pet accommodation (dogs only) is available by request with additional fees.

What restaurants and shops are near Wallace House?

Innerleithen village (2km away) contains general grocery shops, a post office, and several cafes suitable for informal meals and morning coffee. Peebles town (9km northwest) hosts supermarket chains including Tesco Extra and Sainsbury’s, plus restaurants, pubs, and specialty food shops including a farmers’ market operating seasonally. Galashiels (14km northeast) provides additional shopping capacity. Local pubs in Innerleithen and Peebles serve traditional Scottish fare and Traquair Ale. For fine dining, nearby restaurants in Peebles and village country hotels operate seasonal menus showcasing local venison, fish, and seasonal produce. Self-catering is practical given the manor’s substantial kitchen and dining facilities for large groups.