There’s something magical about autumn here at Dod Mill, staying in a cosy cottage. The leaves along the Boondreigh Water turn gold and copper, the air gets that crisp edge that makes you crave a woodburning stove, and honestly? It’s when the Scottish Borders really shows off.

If you’re looking for a cosy cottage with a log burner within an hour of Edinburgh (we’re 45 minutes on a clear run), or fancy a proper escape that’s under two hours from Glasgow or Newcastle, autumn might just be the perfect time to visit. Both The Bothy and Old Mill are wonderfully snug at this time of year with cosy cottage vibes. Think thick stone walls, modern rustic interiors, and lovely woodburning stoves that we keep stocked with logs.

Pumpkin Picking at Clackmae Farm

If you’re here in October, you absolutely must visit our good friends Sally and Jonny Williams at Clackmae Farm for their pumpkin picking. The farm is 15 minutes from Dod Mill. It’s become a bit of an autumn institution around here. Sally and Jonny have created something really special – acres of pumpkins in every size imaginable, from tiny ones perfect for the kids to those massive ones that you need two people to lift. Don’t worry, they provide wheelbarrows!

What I love about their setup is that it’s the real deal – a proper working farm, not one of those overly commercial affairs. The kids can run around, explore the maize “maze” and you pick exactly the pumpkin you want. You can opt for a pumpkin carving workshop (we always do) or bring home to do it there. There’s usually hot chocolate and homemade treats available. Sally makes the most incredible pumpkin soup, and if you’re lucky, she might have some for sale. You can book your slot at https://www.citizenticket.com/events/clackmae-farm/pumpkin-picking-clackmae-2025/ – but do book ahead as it gets busy!

Get Creative This Autumn

If you fancy trying something a bit different, we have two wonderful local spots that are perfect for rainy autumn afternoons (or sunny ones, to be honest). Birkhill House is literally ten minutes from us, and Lara who runs it is such an incredibly warm and welcoming person. It’s a social enterprise offering all sorts of art and crafting workshops – everything from working with textiles to animal experiences with their alpacas, sheep, goats, and birds. We’ve been loads of times over the years and it’s always brilliant. Birkhill’s new Fleece & Fibre Hub is a haven of wool crafts, which feels very appropriate for autumn!

Then there’s Goat Willow Pottery in Tweedbank, about 20 minutes away. You can book one-off pottery courses in small groups – either handbuilding or using a wheel. No experience needed whatsoever, and there’s something quite therapeutic about getting your hands into clay on an autumn day. It’s a gorgeous community pottery and a really fun, relaxing way to create something beautiful to take home.

Where to Eat When the Nights Draw In

One of the things we get asked about most is where to eat locally, and autumn brings out the best in our restaurants. If you’re celebrating something special (or just fancy treating yourselves), The Hoebridge in Gattonside is outstanding. We go there for birthdays and anniversaries – it’s run by this hugely talented couple and the food is just exceptional. Book as far in advance as you possibly can though; it’s tiny and everyone knows about it.

For something more casual but equally brilliant, Twelve Triangles bakery in Melrose is wonderful. They do filled croissants and sourdough sandwiches that are perfect for fuelling up before a walk. The coffee is also excellent. We always buy a sourdough loaf when we’re in Melrose for our kids’ rugby matches. It a very trendy bakery but also really family-friendly. They have a dedicated area for little ones which is rare and much appreciated.

If you’d like to stay super-local, I can recommend two excellent options. The Black Bull in Lauder is just five minutes away. This is a proper local pub-restaurant with a cosy bar area and a lovely high-ceilinged dining room. Great food and very popular with locals. Then there’s The Old Thistle Inn in Westruther, which is an absolute gem, and also 5 minutes away. It’s been there since 1721 and is everything a traditional village pub should be. It’s tiny, full of character, with roaring fires and family-run. They’re known for cooking brilliant steaks, and the whole place has this wonderful cosy atmosphere. Do call ahead though as they work on part-time hours and it’s very popular.

If you’re heading towards Edinburgh, stop at Restoration Yard in Dalkeith Country Park for some exceptional autumn colours – the park’s trees are pretty special. It’s one of our absolute favourites – a beautiful courtyard setting with a fantastic café, and the most gorgeous shop full of clothes, gifts, and homeware. They have exceptional taste! The Kitchen (their restaurant) needs booking but The Larder does takeaway coffee and cake.

Autumn Walks and Cosy Evenings

The walking is spectacular this time of year. The woodland up at Spottiswoode (literally a few minutes from us) is gorgeous with autumn colours. The best thing is that you’re very unlikely to meet another soul. Or there’s Thirlestane Castle which is just five minutes away – the grounds are stunning and there’s a lovely river walk.

What makes autumn stays special here is coming back from a walk, lighting the woodburner, and just settling in for the evening. Both cottages have everything you need – the kitchens are well-equipped if you fancy cooking (pick up some steaks or venison from Shaws Fine Meats in Lauder – it’s outstanding). There are plenty of places that do takeaway. Hunters Stables in St Boswells do brilliant pizzas, or we’d also recommend Alfonso’s chippie (and pizza) in Earlston. We often grab a take-away and take it up to Scott’s View to eat with that incredible view over the Eildon Hills.

Why Book Autumn?

Honestly, if you’re wavering between seasons, autumn in the Scottish Borders is hard to beat. The summer crowds have gone but the weather’s often still lovely – those crisp, bright October days are perfection. The restaurants and cafes are quieter so you can actually get a table without booking three weeks ahead. And there’s something deeply satisfying about curling up in a cosy cottage with a log burner when it’s getting dark early outside.

We intentionally designed The Bothy and Old Mill to suit this time of year. They’re warm and snug and take advantage of our riverside location. Spot brings ducks on the pond, listen to the river, and just properly switch off from everything.

So if you’re thinking about an autumn escape – whether it’s from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, or anywhere really – we’d love to have you. Stay in a gorgeous, cosy cottage with a woodburning stove. There’s pumpkin picking to be done, pottery to throw, walks to be walked, and quite a lot of excellent eating and drinking to get through.