Papple Farmhouse

Substantial grounds for exploring and wonderful onsite amenities to entertain all ages

Sensitively restored with meticulous attention to detail, the Farmhouse at Papple Steading is the perfect base for families and large groups looking for a beautifully presented, rural hideaway with oodles of space both inside and out.

There’s ample entertaining space for get-togethers in the impressive drawing room and grand dining room both of which have open fires for cosy winter evenings. The aptly named Chillout Wing hosts the more informal relaxation spaces; the library, television room and garden room / exercise studio with doors opening onto the patio for early morning yoga or Pilates. The hand-crafted kitchen is extensively equipped and fitted with quality appliances including an AGA oven. A fabulous welcome pack of local goodies awaits guests on arrival.

The bedrooms exude understated luxury with rich, natural fabrics and sumptuous Harrison Spinks’ beds dressed with hypoallergenic vegan down duvets and pillows from the Fine Bedding Company along with high-quality cotton bed linen and towels. The bath and shower rooms have powerful showers, heated mirrors, underfloor heating and Heritage or original fittings. Guests are provided with vegan Moo & Yoo guest amenities.

Superfast broadband is delivered throughout the Steading via a direct dedicated fibre BT connection to ensure an excellent signal in every room.

Papple Farmhouse sits in its own large, private lawned garden with an outside table and chairs, and croquet set on hand for the warmer months. There is a wood-fired barbecue available and a supply of wood is provided for guests.

Guests have shared use of the wider grounds with others staying at The Steading. There’s a large paddock for rounders, football, picnics or a sunrise Yoga session taking in views to nearby Traprain Law, a volcanic intrusion and the site of a Stone Age fort. A firepit and log seating area sits beneath the mystical ruins of the ancient Papple Convent – recorded in 1458 - ideal for marshmallow toasting and campfire singalongs.
A woodland area comes complete with wooden follies – hand-crafted shelters which can be used as wildlife watching hides, playhouses or picnic shelters, there’s also boardwalks, bridges and swings for children in addition to another log picnic area. There is plenty to spot in terms of wildlife, including hares, badgers, rabbits, owls, bats, shrews, newts, and myriad birdlife.

The wider estate includes a wildflower meadow dissected by Papana Water and a further eighteen acres of ancient woodland perfect for walking. It’s said that the land was gifted to the nuns of Haddington.
Papple, within the old Whittingehame Estate, is an excellent base for exploring the local area. The outstanding local countryside and renowned coastline have much to offer keen walkers, runners, riders, cyclists and water sports enthusiasts. There are world-class golf courses on the doorstep, an array of museums, pretty villages and ancient churches to explore. Central Edinburgh is a 45-minute drive or a 25-minute train journey from Drem station (10 miles from Papple Steading).

For larger groups, Papple Steading comprises four adjacent properties (sleeping up to 20) - Papple Farmhouse, Grieve’s Cottage, Shepherd’s Bothy and Ploughman’s Bothy - making it ideal for large family get-togethers or groups of friends who want to holiday together without compromising on space.

Outer entrance hall with coat and boot storage.

Inner entrance hall.

Drawing room with two four-seater sofas, five armchairs and open fire.

Dining room seating 22 guests with an impressive Edwardian dining table.

Hand-crafted oak kitchen with breakfast dining area for six guests, five-oven electric Aga with two hotplates and warming plate, electric oven, large fridge, large freezer, drinks fridge and two single-drawer dishwashers.

Utility room with sink, washing machine and dryer.

Cloakroom with basin and WC.

Library with seating.

Garden room / Yoga Studio (yoga mats are provided) with log burner and sliding doors opening onto terrace.

Wet room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

Rear entrance hall with hanging space.

Bedroom one with 3’ zip and link beds, which can be set up as a super king or twin beds, as requested. Wardrobe with hanging space, fitted cupboard with shelves, chest of drawers, desk, dressing table and cheval mirror. 

En suite bathroom with roll-top bath, separate walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

Bedroom two with 3’ zip and link beds, which can be set up as a super king or twin beds, as requested. Fitted wardrobe with hanging space and shelves, dressing table / desk and cheval mirror.

En suite shower room with walk-in shower, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

Bedroom three with 3’ zip and link beds, which can be set up as a super king or twin beds, as requested. Wardrobe with hanging space, dressing table / desk and cheval mirror.

En suite bathroom with bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

Bedroom four with 3’ zip and link beds, which can be set up as a super king or twin beds, as requested. Wardrobe with hanging space and shelves, dressing table / desk and cheval mirror.

En suite bathroom with bath with shower over, heated towel rail, basin and WC.

A second rear staircase leads only to the television room on the first floor with a large corner sofa and 50” Digital Smart TV.

Papple Farmhouse has a large lawned garden for the sole use of guests at the Farmhouse, with an outside table and chairs for eight guests and a wood-fired barbecue (supply of wood provided). Please note that the garden is not enclosed.

Guests have shared use of the grounds and amenities with other guests at Papple Steading on a first-come, first-served basis. 

To the rear of the Steading is a paddock which is ideal for outdoor activities such as football, rounders, picnics or yoga. There is a fire pit and log stool seating area to one side beneath the ruins of Papple Convent. The cart shed has a table tennis table and table football will be available from early October. 

A woodland area below the Farmhouse features wooden follies which can be used as a playhouse, picnic shelter or as a hide for spotting wildlife, along with a picnic table, boardwalks, bridges and swings for children. Guests can also enjoy the fruit patch with strawberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries.

The wider grounds include an additional 18 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow which provide excellent walking.

There is ample parking at the Farmhouse.

A travel cot and highchair are available on request. 

Two dogs are welcome in the Farmhouse and another dog may be permitted with prior agreement from the owners depending upon size and breed. Dogs must be kept to ground-floor uncarpeted areas and are not allowed on the furniture. Guests must clear up after their dogs. 

Papple Farmhouse is furnished and equipped to a very high standard. Harrison Spinks’ beds and mattresses are dressed with hypoallergenic vegan down duvets and pillows from the Fine Bedding Company along with high-quality cotton bed linen and towels.

All the bath/shower rooms have powerful showers, heated mirrors, underfloor heating and Heritage fittings. Guests are provided with vegan Moo & Yoo hand wash, body wash and shampoo in each bathroom and a hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.

The owners of Papple Steading are eco-conscious and have equipped the kitchen with wooden utensils and eco-friendly equipment, where possible. 

A fabulous welcome pack of local goodies awaits guests on arrival. 

Superfast broadband is delivered on a direct dedicated fibre BT connection with excellent signal strength throughout allowing for streaming and Wi-Fi calls. The mobile coverage is adequate but patchy on most networks.

In line with Papple Steading's ethos, the buildings are heated by heat transfer pump systems with both shallow and deep bore exchangers. There is underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and radiators on the first floor of the Farmhouse. Each bathroom has a heated towel rail in addition to underfloor heating. There are log fires in the drawing and dining room, in addition to a log burner in the garden room. A supply of logs is provided.

The Farmhouse sits to one side of the other three properties at Papple Steading – Grieve’s Cottage, Ploughman’s Bothy and Shepherd’s Bothy – and has its own large, private garden.

Guests at all four properties at Papple Steading have shared use of the wider grounds and amenities. Guests are asked to be respectful of others and keep dogs under control at all times.

The estate office is adjacent to The Farmhouse and the Papple team are on hand to assist all guests with queries during weekdays from 9am to 5pm, but also fully respect guest privacy. 

For guests looking to holiday together, there are three other holiday homes at Papple Steading - Grieve's Cottage, sleeping 8, Ploughman's Bothy, sleeping 2, and Shepherd's Bothy, sleeping 2. 

Guests can book Papple Steading exclusively, sleeping up to 20 guests across all four properties. 

The adjacent steading is currently undergoing redevelopment. This has been screened off and whilst no major works will take place when guests are in residence, there may be some minor noise from the site. Please contact us if you have any concerns.