Whether it’s with friends or family, the menu offers a variety of options for you to choose from, for a deliciously light lunch or more, all incorporating locally sourced fresh produce, as well as a wide range of home baked sweet treats and fresh artisan coffee or even try our Philiphaugh Apple Juice straight from the Orchard. Come treat yourself, relax, take in the peaceful atmosphere, and stunning views along the valley and afterwards enjoy a beautiful walk along the banks of the River Ettrick.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Open Monday to Sunday from 10am-4pm
Tel:01750 22258 Email: thewaterwheel@ymail.com

The salmon is known the world over as the King of the fishes, and the Ettrick River in the Scottish Borders is home to some of the finest salmon you will ever see.

Come visit our salmon viewing centre where we will take you on the journey of the development and different stages spanning a salmon’s life, explain the work of the Tweed Foundation in managing the Tweed catchment and show you live underwater footage of salmon, eels and other river fauna that travel through the pass …and before you leave the centre and take a trip up to the cauld (5 mins walk away) don’t forget to take advantage of our fresh and fully stocked NEW self-serve farm shop.

The Old Joinery on Philiphaugh Estate is home to Selkirk’s first gin distillery. Operating since March 2019, Selkirk Distillery has benefited immensely from the great potential of its surroundings. Botanicals found either growing naturally on the estate grounds, or cultivated by the experienced gardeners in the walled gardens, have been successfully used within their popular products.

Our Eyrie: eagle information point sits within the waterwheel café, here you will discover how we and South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project looked to help increase numbers and prevent the loss of this wonderful species from southern skies and decrease any impact it may have on our ecosystem.

As you work your way through a series of informative displays, learn about the history of eagles, the pressures they face, their habits and habitat as well as the translocation process, enjoy our Interactive displays including a Guess Who style game and bird of prey identification sound board. Remember the golden eagle is a true icon of wild Scotland and the undisputed ruler of the skies.

Come visit us!

The hydro station construction is the first of its kind on the river Tweed system and in the Borders - when running to maximum capacity can generate enough electricity to power 225 houses.

At the cauld where the station is, you can learn about the two massive Archimedes Screw Turbines and how they harness energy to produce electricity which is transferred to the national grid. There is also a flap valve above the cauld which controls the flow of water through the old mill lade, as we want to conserve the 160 year-old eco-system created by the cauld.This station is only possible on this site due to the construction in 1854 by Sir John Murray of a ‘cauld’ or (dam) across the Ettrick Water, which forced water down the mill lade. The water turned huge wheels, which powered the sawmill and a Tweed mill near Selkirk, which was built by the Roberts Brothers. To this day you can see the water wheel at the sawmill as you walk along the path towards the Cauld.

Once you are at the Cauld, we would also encourage you to take a short walk up the river to see the stunning view, where the Rivers Ettrick and Yarrow meet and then slowly meander back through the beautiful woodland towards the Café and salmon viewing centre or carry on further to the walled Garden & Nursery or Selkirk Distillery, If you haven’t already visited us there!