Center Parcs Scottish Borders: Accommodation Guide for the Construction Phase

The Center Parcs Scottish Borders project is set to create hundreds of construction jobs across multiple phases. For contractors coming from outside the region, the Scottish Borders will be a new and unfamiliar area. This page pulls together the practical information you need to plan your move and find somewhere to live.

What the project means for the area

The Center Parcs development is one of the biggest single investments in the Scottish Borders in recent memory. The construction phase alone is expected to bring significant numbers of workers to a region with a small population and a limited rental market.

That means accommodation will be in high demand, particularly in the towns closest to the site. Contractors who search and secure rentals early will have the widest choice and the best prices.

Accommodation options

Private rentals (recommended for stays over 1 month)

Renting a flat or house through a letting agent or private landlord is the most cost-effective option for contractors staying more than a few weeks. The Scottish Borders offers genuinely affordable rents — typically £375–£700 pcm for a 1–2 bed property, depending on the town.

The main towns within commuting distance of the site are:

• Hawick — closest, cheapest, most stock
• Jedburgh — small, affordable, good road links
• Kelso — attractive town, moderate rents
• Selkirk — quiet, affordable
• Galashiels — largest town, widest choice, rail link to Edinburgh

Read our detailed town-by-town rental guide for drive times, rents, and amenities.

Rooms in shared houses

Sharing a house with other contractors is common and cuts costs significantly. A room in a shared house typically costs £275–£500 pcm, often with bills included. This is particularly good value in Hawick, where a 3-bed house can be shared for under £300 per person per month.

Browse rooms to rent in the Scottish Borders.

Short-term and serviced accommodation

For very short placements (a few days to a few weeks), options include:

• B&Bs and guesthouses — several in Hawick, Jedburgh, and Kelso. Rates typically £40–£70 per night, some offer weekly rates
• Holiday cottages — available through booking platforms, though more expensive than a standard rental
• Hotels — limited options in the smaller towns. The Best Western in Selkirk and hotels in Kelso are options for short stays

For anything over a month, a private rental will almost always be better value.

Budgeting for your stay

The Scottish Borders is one of the most affordable places to live in Scotland. Here's a realistic monthly budget for a contractor renting a 1-bed flat in Hawick:

• Rent: £400–£550 pcm
• Council tax: £75–£110 pcm (Band A–C; 25% single occupancy discount available)
• Energy: £60–£100 pcm
• Broadband: £25–£35 pcm
• Food: £150–£250 pcm
• Fuel: £80–£150 pcm depending on commute distance

Total: roughly £800–£1,200 per month all in — significantly less than you'd pay in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Practicalities

Transport

A car is essential. The Scottish Borders is a rural area with limited public transport, especially at the early and late hours that construction shifts typically require. The main roads are the A7 (north–south) and A68 (north–south via Jedburgh), both single carriageway. Winter driving in the Borders can mean ice, fog, and occasional snow — plan for this if you're arriving in the colder months.

Healthcare

You can register with a GP surgery as a temporary patient if you're staying for more than a few months. Hawick, Kelso, Jedburgh, and Galashiels all have GP practices. The main hospital is Borders General Hospital in Melrose, which has an A&E department. Hawick has a minor injuries unit for non-emergency treatment.

Mobile and broadband

Mobile coverage in the Borders is generally acceptable in towns but patchy in rural areas and valleys. EE tends to have the best rural coverage. Fibre broadband is available in Hawick, Galashiels, and Kelso, but check your specific address — availability varies street by street.

Weekend options

The Scottish Borders isn't just a place to work. If you're spending weekends here:

• Walking and cycling: the Borders has some of the best mountain biking in the UK (Glentress, Innerleithen) and excellent hill walking
• Fishing: the Tweed and Teviot are world-class salmon and trout rivers
• Rugby: Hawick has one of the strongest club rugby scenes in Scotland — matches at Mansfield Park on Saturdays
• Edinburgh: an hour by car from Galashiels, or 55 minutes by train on the Borders Railway

Getting started

1. Decide on a town — read our town-by-town guide to compare your options
2. Search for properties — browse available rentals on Rent in the Borders
3. Contact agents — register with local letting agents for early access to new listings
4. Read up on Scottish tenancy law — our tenants' rights guide explains how renting works in Scotland

For detailed advice on the rental process, read our contractor accommodation guide or our Hawick rental guide for construction workers.