Wildflower meadow

Roulotte Retreat is situated in a three acre meadow nestled below the Eildon Hills in the north and just below an ancient Roman site, Campknowe. The wildflower meadow is full of colour, exquisite birdsong and wildlife providing the rare experience of a completely natural backdrop. Originally a field for our ponies, geese and ducks, since 2008 we have rewilded the entire meadow with native trees, shrubs and wildflowers around a series of wildlife ponds. Fun Fact: The meadow featured in a music video for artist Tasha Blackmore.

The meadow is greeted in the early morning by the sun to the east and enjoys south facing climate all day before the dazzling sunset to the west in the evening. The West Burn traverses through the field offering delightful pools en route to its junction with the Bowden Burn and onwards to the River Tweed and the sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed. In the middle of the meadow is an enchanting wildlife pond. The meadow landscape reflects that of the surrounding countryside with mounds of broom, gorse, hawthorn and wild rose. The wildflower meadow and grasses lead away from the wildlife pond and up to the firepit where evenings can be enjoyed together around the campfire. Each roulotte has its own space for enjoying al fresco time, secluded amongst trees and situated around the water.

Pondlife

Pondlife on the lochan includes families of wild ducks and moorhens raising their young, frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies and damselflies. Great crested newts swim beneath the surface alongside a myriad of pondlife.

Rewilding

We have planted native species which will attract a variety of birds, butterflies and bees. This includes Spring flowers and blossom for insects and especially bees with Autumn berries and fruits for wild birds. All the planting also provides cover and shelter for nesting birds and overwintering insects.

The native trees and shrubs we have planted enhance the colours of the roulottes, in different seasons. Willow trees line the edges of the burn flowing through our meadow.  Some of the species of trees include cherry, crab apple, silver birch, willow, rowan, Scots pine, oak, ash and hazel.  We have also planted a number of shrubs including dogwood, broom, guelder rose, wayfaring tree, wild roses and hazel.

Our meadow flowers and grasses include yarrow, knapweed, ox-eye daisy, vetch, red clover, speedwell, meadow cranesbill, yellow rattle, field scabious, sorrel, plantain, poppy,  red campion, Scottish bluebell, foxgloves (long associated with fairies and is a favourite with bumblebees), meadow buttercup, cowslip and white clover to give a rainbow of colour. Around the pond we have added edge plants such as yellow iris, water forget-me-not, purple loosestrife, ragged robin, meadowsweet, sneezewort, water plaintain, angelica, water mint, marsh marigold, cuckoo flower, water avens, St. John’s wort, marsh cinquefoil, marsh woundwort, water mint and valerian.

The meadow is ever changing and maturing as new species appear, brought by nature and our lovely regular guerrilla gardening guests .... you know who you are!