Over Hailes Holiday Cottages

Over Hailes Holiday Cottages Six holiday cottages on our arable farm outside of East Linton, in the heart of East Lothian.

Two great things happened this weekend. The sun came out (after weekssssss of low cloud and grey rain) and Hailes Castle...
09/02/2026

Two great things happened this weekend. The sun came out (after weekssssss of low cloud and grey rain) and Hailes Castle reopened (after 6 years of fencing).

It was quite emotional to walk through the site again after so long, having spent many hours there throughout the years with toddlers in tow, summer picnics and friends from abroad wanting to see a Scottish castle.

There is still a fence keeping visitors from accessing the oven, stores and pit prison area. But I’ll take what I can get!

☀️🏰 ❤️

White stuff 😍
06/01/2026

White stuff 😍

23/12/2025

Very happy to be welcoming our holiday guests this week 🎄

11/12/2025

We’re now at over 300 reviews on Airbnb, not to mention many more on our direct booking site. It’s great to get feedback throughout the year and to have had so many nice guests staying with us in 2025.

We’ve a busy festive period coming up. Our only availability is in the Cart Shed from 30th Dec for Hogmanay 🌟
Fully booked over Christmas 🎄

17/11/2025

Sunny days in November just feel different 🧡

I hope you’ve enjoyed some ☀️ today.

The Stables cottage offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms entirely on ground level, making it suitable for those guests with...
18/09/2025

The Stables cottage offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms entirely on ground level, making it suitable for those guests with mobility issues. There is a large back garden with views of Over Hailes fields 🚜 and the front door opens onto the sun trap courtyard ☀️
~3 night minimum booking starting at £155/night~

After a possible Mink sighting two weeks ago I was afraid these little guys were gone, as I hadn’t spotted them in ages....
09/06/2025

After a possible Mink sighting two weeks ago I was afraid these little guys were gone, as I hadn’t spotted them in ages. Happy to report they’re alive and well and quite good at staging photos.



Here’s a big walk to add to your itinerary. It has two hills, varied paths underfoot, fantastic views and even some cute...
31/05/2025

Here’s a big walk to add to your itinerary. It has two hills, varied paths underfoot, fantastic views and even some cute Exmoor Ponies!

Traprain Law Circular
4.3 miles / 6.9 km

This walk can be done as an out and back but I’m biased towards a good circular!

Start your walk heading downhill towards the river from the cottages. Follow the signage to the left and towards the wooden bridge, cross over the river and follow the path up through the trees until you reach a paved road.

Turn right on this road, taking care for traffic as there are blind corners here and it is a very narrow road. Before you come to the gate for Hailes Castle there is a path to the left, running alongside Hailes Cottage. Take this path and follow the signs for “right of way” along the farm tracks and hedges. There are a few right corners as it takes you carefully around the farmers fields. This path leads to another paved road.

Take this road to the left (you will see Traprain ahead of you). Please take care on this section of the walk as you are on a main road, although a quiet one, where speed limit can be 60.

Once you are below the Law you will see a gate and signs for Traprain with information about the Exmoor Ponies who live there. After going over this gate you are now on Traprain Law. There are various paths which take you to the top. Explore and enjoy! At the summit there is a cairn and trig point.

From here you can see views to North Berwick Law, the Bass Rock, the Lammermuir Hills, Dunbar, even the Pentlands to the east. It is a fantastic 360deg view! Follow the path down the front of the Law back to the road. The time, exit the Law at the carpark and follow the road eastward. After 50 meters there is a left hand turn onto a farm track and towards a group of houses called Kippielaw. Take this track around the houses and follow the road down the steep hill.

Take a left at the bottom onto another paved road (the one you crossed at the start of the walk!) Follow this until you arrive back at the turnoff for the wooded path, which goes to the river and wooden bridge crossing.

This is the final of the 2 hills - the one back to your cottage!
Enjoy :)

Here is one more route to add to the list of walks you can do from your cottage at Over Hailes. This is a beautiful rive...
27/05/2025

Here is one more route to add to the list of walks you can do from your cottage at Over Hailes. This is a beautiful riverside stretch from the farm to Haddington. It can be walked in both directions but I enjoy walking to Haddington and getting the bus back directly to the bus stop at the farm entrance.

Hailes Castle to Haddington
4.8 miles / 7.7km

Start your walk heading downhill from the cottages. Once you come to the T junction in the path take the right turn, signposted for Haddington.

You’ll follow this one track for the next 4.8 miles, essentially! It doesn’t cross any major road, so a very peaceful walk indeed.

You will come to a small settlement called Sandy’s Mill. There are residents here so please be respectful when passing through their properties.

It’s a fine and easy walk with some wildlife to spot along the way: Otters, herons, roe deer, pheasants, kingfishers, hares, sparrow hawks, etc.

As you get closer to Haddington you will start to see the golf course on the opposite bank. Soon you will pass through a gate and onto pavement. Follow the pavement to Hardgate Road (a main thoroughfare for the town).

There is a bus stop just here for returning to Over Hailes. The East Coast Bus number X7 runs fairly frequently from here (or the High Street if you venture further into town) towards Dunbar. Ask the driver to stop at Hailes Loan, which comes just after the Monks Muir stop. Bus fare for adults is £3.20 and for under 16 £1.60

Once you depart the bus turn left down Hailes Loan, through the tunnel, and back to Over Hailes Steading :)

Another walk you can do directly from the cottages is a short one to blow away the cobwebs, stretch the legs or tire the...
25/05/2025

Another walk you can do directly from the cottages is a short one to blow away the cobwebs, stretch the legs or tire the little ones out. There is a steep section that will require good knees and sensible shoes. Please be mindful of tractors and keep to the path, and out of the crops.

Small Farm Loop
1.4 miles / 2.25 km

Start by heading down the hill towards the castle. At the bottom of the paved road take a left onto a grassy farm track. We try to keep this track cut short but be aware there are nettles so dress appropriately to protect ankles! Follow this track along the bottom of our field (currently in wheat). There are nice views to Traprain, and it’s common to spot roe deer, hares, pheasants and partridges.

Follow the track as it starts to head downhill towards the river. This is the steep section. Please keep to the right of the field, walking in the margin. You’ll intersect the River Tyne path here. Take a right to get back to the farm, or left of you’d like to go further towards East Linton.

For this loop, take a right. It’s a well worn path along the river and you may see heron, kingfisher, swans, ducks and even otters if you’re VERY lucky (and quiet!!)

There are a couple benches along this path or places to stick your toes in if the little ones want to splash about. Continue on the path and you’ll come to the wooden bridge that takes you to Hailes Castle (currently closed but you can still access the grounds). Follow river path until signage for Pencraig Hill points you back up the paved road to your cottage :) A very pleasant short walk!

Did you know there are plenty of beautiful walks directly from Over Hailes Cottages? Over the next few days I will highl...
23/05/2025

Did you know there are plenty of beautiful walks directly from Over Hailes Cottages? Over the next few days I will highlight some of my favourites, hopefully inspiring our guests to enjoy the countryside right from their doorstep!

East Linton and River Tyne Circular
3.85 miles / 6.2 km

I would suggest you do this walk in the direction indicated on the map, as the prevailing wind will be at your back when you’re at the top of the hill and you’ll be more sheltered for the return leg along the river. However, both directions are lovely in the nice weather!!

Head uphill from the cottages, through the tunnel and turn left along a grassy track just before the A199 junction. Follow this well beaten track along the edge of Pencraig Wood (turning East along wood). There is a small section of the walk along A199 for about 150 meters (Pencraig Lay-by)
Keep to the pavement until the farm track on the left (signage for East Linton shows you the way from here).

Once in East Linton you can browse all the wonderful independent shops, cafes and pubs. Some of my favourites listed below, but lots more to explore!

The return leg begins off Station Road (opposite the GP surgery). Signs here also indicate where to go towards Hailes Castle. The path meanders right along the river, with some stairs and exposed roots to watch out for. When you reach the wooden pedestrian bridge it’s almost time to head uphill and homeward (Follow sign here for Pencraig) You will pass right through the steading again and back to your cottage.

Address

Overhailes Farm
East Linton
EH413SB

Telephone

+447427403371

Website

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