Grieve's Cottage

The perfect base for exploring East Lothian’s outstanding countryside and renowned coastline

Grieve’s Cottage, once the home of the farm manager on this famously forward-thinking farm set in magnificent rolling countryside south of Edinburgh, has undergone top-to-toe renovation to create an incredibly comfortable rural retreat for families and groups.

The convivial open-plan kitchen / dining area is a wonderful light and lofty space with sliding doors opening onto an enclosed terrace. Here you will find sleek polished concrete floors, local Chippendale-school Windsor chairs, a hand-crafted Oak kitchen, quality appliances including an AGA oven and a fabulous welcome pack of local goodies awaiting guests on arrival.

The sitting room, complete with the original fireplace, delivers a joyful pop of colour with Charlotte James sofas, Morgan chairs, kilim rugs and bespoke artwork by the Steading’s artist in residence.

The four bedrooms are a masterclass in understated luxury with exquisite William Morris wallpaper, 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 feature powerful showers, heated mirrors, underfloor heating and Heritage 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.

For outside dining, the terrace has a dining table and chairs for eight guests in addition to a charcoal barbecue. 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.

Sitting room with two three-seater sofas and two armchairs, hemlock log side table, open fire, Smart TV, books and games.

Hand-crafted oak kitchen / dining area with three-oven electric Aga with two hotplates, fridge / freezer, dishwasher, microwave and double Belfast sink. Dining table for eight guests with additional Chippendale-school Windsor chairs and hemlock log side tables. Pocket sliding doors opening onto terrace.

Bedroom one with 5’ 2” king size bed, bespoke, handmade cupboard with hanging space, shelves, suitcase storage and full-length mirror, built-in desk / dressing table.

Bathroom with original 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. Bespoke, handmade cupboard with hanging space, shelves, suitcase storage and full-length mirror, built-in desk / dressing table.

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

Utility / boot room with double sinks, washer / dryer and space for storing and drying outdoor kit.

Bedroom three with 3’ zip and link beds, which can be set up as a super king or twin beds, as requested. Bespoke, handmade cupboard with hanging space, shelves, suitcase storage and full-length mirror, built-in desk / dressing table.

Shower room with walk-in shower, 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. Bespoke, handmade cupboard with hanging space, shelves, suitcase storage and full-length mirror, built-in desk / dressing table.

Accessed from the kitchen / dining area is a terrace with a dining table and chairs for eight guests along with a charcoal barbecue (guests need to supply their own charcoal).

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 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 parking for at least two cars opposite Grieve’s Cottage. Overflow parking is available in the Cart Shed or next to the Estate Office.

A travel cot and highchair is available on request. 

Two dogs are welcome 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 or in the bedrooms. Guests must clear up after their dogs. 

Grieve's Cottage 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 Grieve's Cottage. Each bathroom has a heated towel rail in addition to underfloor heating. There are log fires in the sitting room. A supply of logs is provided.

Grieve’s Cottage is within the same former farm building as two other cottages, Ploughman’s Bothy and Shepherd’s Bothy, separated by the cart shed.

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 - Papple Farmhouse, 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.