UK & Ireland

Do you enjoy fishing or golf, walking or riding, driving or shopping or good food, sightseeing, history or literature, bird-watching or deep-sea diving? Whatever your interests, there is something here to be enjoyed. 

The area’s appeal is exceptional – a unique history and heritage set in a beautiful, tranquil landscape, all within an hour’s drive of Edinburgh or Newcastle-upon Tyne.  This is Scotland’s hidden gem.  Perhaps it is all the more attractive for not being a tourist trap. 

The roads are quiet, the towns are small and historic and the eating places are full of excellent food.

Did you know that The Borders has the home of finest cashmere – at Hawick, has Britain’s friendliest Racecourse – at Kelso; has internationally renowned mountain biking terrain – in The Tweed Valley; is home of The Jim Clark Rally – at Duns; and of rugby seven-a-sides – at Melrose; and has deep-sea diving of World Heritage status off the spectacular east coast?  It is a haven for cyclists, photographers, golfers, ornithologists and walkers.  In addition, the area is an equestrian paradise with many events including the summer-long festival of The Border Common Ridings.  If you would like to see whether you have Borders ancestry, you can drop in at The Heritage Hub in Hawick, which has a new, state-of-the-art genealogy centre.

The Borders may be tranquil but this belies the region’s turbulent and fascinating history.   The Borders has the heart of Robert the Bruce buried at Melrose Abbey and the first ever, and most impressive statue of William Wallace, at Dryburgh.  Can there be two more iconic figures in Scottish history?  In addition, you can visit Mary Queen of Scots House at Jedburgh where she returned after visiting the ill-fated Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle.  This Borders stronghold once occupied the most fortified valley in Europe and still has a brooding presence all of its own.

The Borders' stately homes include Scoltand’s largest inhabited house (Floors Castle at Kelso, the seat of The Duke of Roxburghe), the oldest inhabited house in Scotland (Traquair at Innerleithen), a Robert Adam masterpiece (Mellerstain near Kelso), a Palladian mansion (Paxton House near Berwick) and an Edwardian classic (Manderston near Duns, in addition to the home of Sir Walter Scott, the very man who gave Scotland its tartan image in the first place.  His home – Abbotsford – became the blueprint for all the other turreted, crinellated castles throughout Scotland.  These magnificent houses are mostly still in private ownership, but are open to the public to enjoy.  If you have time for a day out in Edinburgh, then you should visit The Rosslyn Chapel, or Glen Kinchie Distillery on the way.

There's variety enough for everyone in The Borders. 

Accommodation

www.borderstouristboard.com  

Click on B&B, self-catering or hotels and find your ideal destination.  The website also has information on where to go, what to see and what to do.  If you know Northumberland, you’ll love The Borders!