Meet Your Hosts
We are Mark and Allan, from Edinburgh and Selkirk.
When he is not looking after Larriston Farm and the Coach House (mostly the outside!), Mark works with his Larriston neighbours at Firemaker, making the famous Firebob suspended log fires, one of which is hanging in the Coach House undercover barbecue area for you to enjoy. And every spare minute leftover will be spent in the polytunnel or the wood, planting trees, usually accompanied by Hayden the collie. Or carrying on the work of renovating the farm buildings. Mark definitely wants you to enjoy being outside during your stay at Larriston.
Looking after the Coach House keeps Allan very busy, and a lot goes on behind the scenes to make sure that every stay is as comfortable as possible. It leaves just enough time for him to play with Selkirk Silver Band as well as look after the ever-growing flock of chickens and his two horses Tosca and Messi. There’s sometimes even enough time to ride them up on Larriston Fell. Allan will often be followed close behind by the ever-faithful Bina, and on longs walks by Kes.
Our Four-Legged Residents
Hayden the Border Collie, is a playful and far-too friendly fixture at Larriston and will happily take you on long walks up the hill to the waterfalls, or chase a stick with you in the garden. He is known to sulk when guests checkout.
Bina is a lovely little rescue dog from Greece. Her traumas are behind her and she’s now living her best life at Larriston. Still shy and nervous, she simply wants affection and security and to chase Hayden – all of which she has in abundance here at Larriston.
And you might not meet Kes – a Bucovina shepherd dog rescue from Romania. With scars on his head and half his tail and half an ear missing, his life has not been easy and even after years here, he is still nervous and traumatised. Fiercely loyal and protective, and always on a lead, he comes with us on long walks.
Larriston Farm is more than just a place to stay, it is a way of life shaped by space, quiet, and a deep connection to the land.
For Mark and Alan, choosing Larriston was about creating something that felt both grounding and welcoming. A place where people can truly switch off, step away from the noise of everyday life, and enjoy the simplicity of being outdoors.
Surrounded by rolling hills, open skies, and uninterrupted calm, the farm offers a rare kind of stillness. Whether it is slow mornings, long walks, or evenings by the fire, everything here is designed to help you unwind at your own pace.
And of course, the dogs would say it is also perfect for a good walk.