Glenholm Tearoom

Glenholm is close to the village of Broughton, some 30 miles south of Edinburgh. John Buchan was particularly fond of this area of the Western Borders and it is easy to see why. The Glenholm Centre, created in 1998, is in a huddle of low white buildings beside an old cemetery, and which comprises a working farm that offers B&B accommodation and farmhouse cooking. The Centre also offers residential computer training - and if it all gets too much there is even a wine merchant nearby!

The Centre is the lead partner in the Glenholm Wildlife Project, which is a partnership of business interests within the glen and young people from Broughton Primary School and the Tweeddale Wildlife Watch Group.

Opening the front door of the Centre is like entering a rather cosy house with the tearoom on the left and lounge on the right. Perhaps surprisingly there is the odd touch of Africa – reflecting co-owner's Fiona Burnett and Neil Robinson's time in Zambia. The small white-walled tearoom is Fiona's province. It is blandly but comfortably furnished with five tables over a polished wood floor. Front facing windows look over bird tables up the Glen.

The Tearoom offers a menu of home made soups, ploughman's lunches, filled rolls and hot Paninis. There are10" baguettes or jacket potatoes with fillings including "brie and cranberry" or "Prawn Marie Rose". Salads include Greek, bacon and mushroom, avocado and prawn, and chicken. There are the usual coffees and teas, cakes and scones.

There is even a children's menu which delights include Fenella's Frogs Eggs (baked beans on toast) and Bertie Badgers Worm Delight! Yes – you guessed right – spaghetti! And for £1 extra you can even have an adult portion! But perhaps not.

The real attraction here is the wildlife and the walking - and the Tearoom is convenient to visit both before and after.

Why would I go there? Attractive setting, excellent walking and wildlife. Friendly and helpful owners. The Centre and the Project deserve to be better known.

Any Negatives? Much of the menu comprises what might be described as "comfort food" - but if you are walking out to or returning from indifferent weather then this might be exactly what you want.

Before or After
1. Try one of the four well-marked walks, some suitable for dogs, of different length and difficulty starting from the Centre. Excellent one-sheet guides for each walk are available (for a small gratuity) in the Tearoom. Our favourite was the moderate 3.25km "Fort Walk" up to the Iron Age Chester Rig Fort.
2. Watch birds around the Glenholm Pond from the Project Hide; or stay in the lounge and watch pictures directly from cameras next to the hide!
3.  Spend a day only a few miles way at Stobo Castle Health Spa, which overlooks the River Tweed – see www.stobocastle.co.uk. I can recommend it. The Glenholm Centre can usually make booking for residents provided 48 hours notice is given.