Aikwood Tower New Year 2026

Celebrate the arrival of a brand new year in true style at the five-star Aikwood Tower, set amidst the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. Here, roaring fires and laughter-filled evenings set the tone for an unforgettable Hogmanay escape.

Dating back to the 1540s, this striking Grade A-listed tower house brims with authentic medieval charm, from its winding spiral staircase to the magnificent Great Hall, where a crackling fire invites you to gather and toast the year ahead.

Though seeped in history, Aikwood offers every modern comfort with five luxurious en-suite bedrooms (sleeping up to ten guests) and four characterful reception rooms. And with its heavenly Duxiana beds, every guest is guaranteed a restful night before another day of celebration.

Just an hour’s drive from the English border and south of Edinburgh, Aikwood Tower sits in the heart of the Ettrick Forest, the perfect backdrop for a winter escape with friends or family.

For the festive season, the tower is truly transformed, with two real Christmas trees and fabulous decorations throughout; its magical charms captivate everyone who visits.

Read what a previous guest said about her stay at this fabulous property!

"Aikwood Tower is an amazing, historical, beautiful place furnished with a lot of style and cozyness. Great, the cozy, rustic kitchen in the vault, the fireplace room and the loft with table tennis! It was the perfect place for a family reunion. The scenery is incredibly beautiful and many exciting destinations are within a 1-hour drive. We will have great memories of this vacation! Thanks also to the owner family who welcomed us warmly."
Ulrike, Lucerne

Enjoy the freedom of a self-catered (vacation-rental) stay, giving you the chance to create the celebrations you've always dreamed of.

Prepare indulgent Hogmanay feasts in the fully equipped kitchen, complete with traditional AGA, then gather around the beautiful burr-oak dining table to share stories and laughter.

When the clock strikes midnight, raise a glass in the Great Hall by the roaring open fire, the perfect setting to welcome the year ahead, before retiring to your sumptuously comfortable bedroom.

The Scottish Borders, renowned as the 'Larder of Britain' offer exceptional local produce for your New Year menus. The surrounding valleys of Ettrick and Yarrow are brimming with winter activities to fill your days, from clay-pigeon shooting and fishing the local rivers to horse riding, mountain biking, or peaceful walks through frost-kissed woodlands. If you extend your stay you'll have time to explore charming market towns, discover historic sites and savour even more of Scotland's seasonal magic.

A minimum 5-night stay for up to 10 guests is available from just £5,500 on a self-catered (vacation-rental) basis.

Why not start the year as you mean to go on, surrounded by beauty, history, and the people you love?