WHEN I heard Storm Floris was due to hit Scotland on day one of our staycation, my heart sank.
But I needn’t have worried.
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Scott with Stan the dog at Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh
Many of the caravans at Lilliardsedge Holiday Park in Jedburgh come with hot tubs
Scott and family had a great time
The only things blown away during our trip to Lilliardsedge Holiday Park and Golf Course in Jedburgh was me and my family.
With everything arranged by Hoseasons, I packed my wife Angie, teenagers Gemma and Lewis, my wee Auntie Anne — back in Scotland on a visit from Australia — and Stan the dog into the car and made a break for the Borders.
Our top-of-the-range three-bedroom Hoseasons Melrose Lodge with hot tub was a real home from home and rock solid in the heavy winds.
With a huge living/dining/kitchen area with a corner couch, smart TV and dining table, it was more than big enough for the five of us.
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The fully fitted kitchen had a full-sized fridge/freezer, hob/oven, microwave and even a dishwasher, with a washing machine in the hallway along with an iron, ironing board, vacuum cleaner and hairdryer.
There was more than enough room inside for the whole family
The kitchen had everything you need for a self-catering stay
Bedroom was lovely with very comfy bed
The welcome pack of teabags, coffee, sugar and biscuits, along with a kitchen hygiene pack was, well, most welcome.
With two twin bedrooms and one double with en-suite, there was plenty of room to relax as we settled into our surroundings for the week.
We’d have to wait a day to take advantage of the hot tub and outdoor decking area and explore the rest of the park — but it was worth it.
In the meantime we headed for the on-site Tavern Bar and Restaurant for dinner and drinks.
With its spectacular indoor cherry blossom tree and funky neon lighting, we were well looked after by the friendly staff.
Scott and Auntie Anne at Lilliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh
Fish and chips, steak pie, mac and cheese (with haggis!) went down a treat, along with a couple of bottles of wine and a few cocktails.
With the park escaping any damage from the weather, it was time for Stan to get a good look around.
There’s a huge dog-run beside the campsite where he stretched his legs — and a very decent nine-hole golf course on site for yours truly to do the same.
With clubs and buggies for hire, it would have been rude not to get in a quick round.
There’s also a play-park and bouncy castle for younger kids and regular night-time entertainment.
And a special mention must go to the Tavern Treats takeaway van with its freshly made donuts, waffles, milkshakes and ice cream.
GO: Jedburgh
GO: Lilliardsedge Holiday Park
A WEEK self-catering at Lilliardsedge Holiday Park is from £445. There are a range of lodges available sleeping between two and eight. Two pets are also welcome. See hoseasons.co.uk.
We’ve taken Auntie Anne all over Scotland on previous trips, but we’d never visited this neck of the woods and were keen to explore.
We headed for nearby Jedburgh and visited the Mary Queen of Scots House where she stayed during an official tour in 1566.
A walk through the pretty town saw us stop at a bunch of galleries, gift shops with handmade items and a fantastic chocolate shop before lunch at the Simply Scottish cafe.
The stunning ruins of Jedburgh Abbey were next up, before a tour of the fascinating Castle Jail & Museum, then we jumped in the car for the short trip to Kelso for a few early evening drinks in the sunshine.
We headed back to the Lodge for the first of many dips in the hot tub.
The family loved the hot tub which came with their caravan
We set off for the east coast first thing next morning and the stunning village of St Abbs — twinned with the fictional New Asgard from the Avengers: Endgame movie.
Pretty St Abbs is a must visitCredit: Alamy
Coldingham Bay has a gorgeous sand beachCredit: Alamy
A short stroll round the headland takes you to the delightful Coldingham Bay, which has just been named Scotland’s best beach.
With its pretty, colourful huts, it’s a real treat — but think twice before following my lead and taking a swim in the North Sea!
We drove further down the coast and stopped at Eyemouth for food by the harbour and then headed for Berwick-upon-Tweed for a stroll around the town walls.
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A trip to Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, in Melrose, is well worth a visit, as are the ruins of the Abbey. Selkirk and Hawick were also targets for our Border patrol.
Each of them was amazing, but it was our lovely lodge in Lilliardsedge Holiday Park that really went down a storm.
