Netherurd was gifted to the Scottish Guides after years of being used by them in return for a peppercorn rent. there are acres of ground (now made into several campsites) with woods, a burn (stream to those from south of the border) and various buildings. Each of the campsites has a solid shelter, and in addition to the house itself there is the brownie house (where we're staying), the ranger bothy which sleeps 10 and the cottage which sleeps 4. Unfortunately all the other buildings are booked out on our weekend so there is no "overflow" accommodation on site (other than camping).
Netherurd is about 30 miles from Edinburgh, and not much further from Glasgow. To see maps of the area, go to the maps page (NEW!). The page will take a while to load.
My directions (for what they are worth!) are...
Netherurd is surprisingly easy to find given how "in the middle of nowhere" it is.
FROM THE SOUTH & WEST:
Ok, the M6 finishes at Carlisle & without realising it you are now on the M74 (or A74 - it changes from one to the other occsionally, don't worry about it!). Carry on up there over the border (got your passports?? ;-) ). About an hour after the M74 started there is a turn-off for the A702 to the west - DO NOT take this turning! The next junction after that one is also for the A702, this time to the east, signposted Edinburgh, amongst other places. This is the one you want!
Follow the signs for the A702 Edinburgh/Biggar - you leave the motorway on the slip road, go right (second exit) at the first roundabout, straight on (also second exit - the one after Abington services) at the next roundabout and don't miss the right turn about 400 yards later. Ok, you are now on the A702.
Follow the A702 (a lovely twisty road but watch out for the tight corner at Coulter Mill) through Biggar. A few miles out the other side there is a crossroads with Glasgow (A721, I think) signposted to the left and NETHERURD HOUSE (on a small signpost) and Blyth Bridge off to the right. Go right!
FROM THE EDINBURGH CITY BYPASS
Take the A702 towards Carlisle & the M6. After West Linton you come to a fairly large crossroads with Glasgow (A721, I think) signposted off to the right and Blyth Bridge and a small sign for NETHERURD HOUSE to the left. Go left!
FROM EITHER:
You are now on a real country road, so take it easy! It tends to flood &/or ice depending on the weather, and whatever the weather it gets covered in mud. Only a mile or two down there is an entrance to Netherurd, on the left. You only see it when you're right on top of it and it's not very well lit. There is a lodge house, which often has a car parked by it.
Follow the track up until you come out of the trees & then all you have to do is find the brownie house! Don't go over the little bridge to the big house, head past that (it's on your left) instead & then bear left where you see a 10 foot high wall - that is the wall round the walled garden - find the gate in the wall, park near it (please don't block the road) and come on in!
If you're on PUBLIC TRANSPORT then go ahead - book to Edinburgh or Glasgow and somehow or other we'll pick you up - from the railway station, bus station or airport. To book cheap air tickets online, try EasyJet (to fly from Gatwick or Luton) or Go (to fly from Stansted or East Midlands), and to book railway tickets online you could try TheTrainLine. There are buses which run from Edinburgh to not far from the house - contact the house or the bus company for details.
The Brownie House sleeps 24 - there are 3 "dormitories" each with 6 beds, one twin room with bunks, and with "normal" beds are another twin room and 2 single rooms. I am assured the beds are full size! The twin bed room and one of the singles are at the opposite end of the house from the rest of the sleeping rooms... WARNING: loud snorers may be evicted here to give the rest of us some sleep!
This may be your last chance to experience the brownie house -it's being demolished in July 2003 to make way for a new and VERY improved house which looks fantastic from what I've seen!
NEW: Click here for a rough floor plan of the house.