Where in the bottom third of Scotland would be nice for my parents?

[mumblechum1]

They live in South Lakes, and my dad can't drive very far (they're 80), so I'm thinking somewhere in the bottom third.

So firstly, any particularly scenic areas?
and secondly, any high end hotels anyone can recommend? preferably small, friendly ones rather than chains as they're so old and it would be nice to have genuinely caring staff.

Thanks in advance

Somewhere round Dumfries might be nice.

I have heard fantastic things about Seamill hydro, my boss went there and loved it, and she was very fussy!

It is in west kilbride though, so might be a bit far, but it is beautiful there and generally good weather.

Peebles? Would they like here ?

Stobo Castle is reputedly lovely. I don't think you have to have the treatments. Hope they have a great holiday

The Dumfries and Galloway coast is nice, and very close to them. Kirkudbright for example...

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will now have a look at all of them.

Blimey it was really hard to find a quality small hotel in Scotland; spent most of today trying to find one.

Have booked this, for anyone in a similar quandary:www.windlestraw.co.uk/

They're at that age where there's nothing physical they want, and whilst they're still in reasonable health, I thought it would be better to have some fun. Champagne will be on ice in the room

Nice. I know walkerburn well - though we're always mountain biking when we're there which I don't think is quite your parents' speed

Greywalls in Gullane, East Lothian

Sorry, just seen that you've booked. They do drive? Because Walkerburn itself is a v small village with only a small shop and it's not particularly pretty. The hotel/pub shut down a while ago and is lying empty. Closest places are Innerleithen (Traquair House worth a visit), Galashiels or Selkirk the other way (small towns) or Peebles (bigger, some nice shops and a gentle walk along the Tweed). Just outside Peebles on the way 'home' is Kailzie Gardens which has a great little courtyard/converted stables restaurant/cafe that does really nice lunches and really lovely home-made cake and coffee.

Yes, they'll be driving. Gardens with nice cafes are exactly the sort of thing they'd like to do

Well in that case I really couldn't recommend Kailzie highly enough. Their pistachio chocolate tart thing is second only to the plum frangipane. Made each day on the premises I'm told! Tell them to watch out for unexpected horses on the road though. It's quite twisty and there's a stables nearby.

Oh and there's an osprey watching thing there too.

Thank you Zadok! Will add a note to the voucher and brochure pack.

If they can handle more than one garden there's also one of the regional gardens for Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh nearby: www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/dawyck pronounced "doik"

Places within an hour or less of Walkerburn:

Kelso - Floors Castle,and their garden centre is in the old walled garden with lovely herbaceous borders and coffee shop.

Nicest place for coffee and cake is Woodside, near Ancrum, about 3 miles north of Jedburgh. i go there when I'm feeling frazzled and it's lovely, serene and calming. They have loads of bird feeders and the comings and goings of the birds is fascinating.

also, Main Street Trading Company in St Boswells - brilliant independent bookshop with cafe and they've recent,y opened a deli too.

If they're in Galashiels, The Salmon Inn is nice for pub food, and T42 tea shop does excellent cakes and the staff are great.

Melrose is nice for a couple of hours mooching round the shops (all small independents), the abbey and Harmony gardens.

DH maintains I should write a book entitled 'A Comprehensive Guide to the tea shops of the Scottish Borders'!

For somewhere to stay in the Jedburgh area, I'd recommend Hunderlee House www.accommodation-scotland.org. Stayed en route to W Highlands.