Welcome to the Scottish Borders, an oft overlooked ‘gem’ hidden away between Edinburgh and Northern England.
Information on key sites in the Scottish Borders region
For hundreds of years the area was riven by strife and destruction; invading Scots and English armies traversed the region sometimes causing considerable damage and destruction. During the era of the Border Reivers (13th century to early 17th century) the area was, effectively, lawless ‘bandit country’ sometimes compared with America’s Wild West. Now the Borders has been transformed with farming and tourism some of the key industries. For the visitor the Borders offers a combination of tranquillity and a choice of attractions and sites to suite a wide range of interests, some of which are summarised below.
Abbotsford
Located close to Melrose is the impressive house where famous author and poet, Sir Walter Scott resided between 1812 and 1832. The house holds interesting collections whilst outside there are gardens and a woodland walk located in a stunning location on the banks of the River Tweed.
Bowhill House & Country Park, Selkirk
Home of the Duke of Buccleuch and contains an internationally renowned art collection. Also, woodland walks, visitor centre, etc.
Dawyck Botanic Garden, near Peebles
Woodland garden with magnificent trees, shrubs and plant trails. Usual visitor facilities.
Dryburgh Falconry, near Melrose
Falconry centre located at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel.
Floors Castle & Gardens, near Kelso
Largest inhabited castle in Scotland with walled garden and usual visitor facilities.
Hume Castle, near Kelso
A medieval castle connected with the Hume/Home family which in later years was re-fashioned in its present style along the lines of a folly (a stylised building with no particular purpose).
Jedforest Deer & Farm Park, near Jedburgh
Deer herds, rare breeds and birds of prey.
Kailzie Gardens, near Peebles.
Traditional walled garden. Also, herbaceous, rose and shrub borders, extensive range of green-houses and woodland walks.
Mellerstain House, Gordon, Berwickshire
A fine Georgian House with Adam architecture, outstanding interiors, period furniture, fine art and award-winning gardens.
Monteviot House Gardens, near Jedburgh
Herb, rose, herbaceous and oriental style water gardens.
Paxton House Gallery & Country Park, near Berwick-upon-Tweed
A magnificent Georgian Mansion House with twelve period rooms, a spectacular picture gallery, gardens and riverside walks.
Dryburgh Abbey, near Melrose
Possibly the most beautiful of the Border Abbeys the ruins of which contain the burial place of Sir Walter Scott.
Hermitage Castle, near Newcastleton
An impressive fortress which has witnessed many of the bloody events in the Borders volatile history.
Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh
A majestic ruin originally founded by King David I in 1138.
Smailholm Tower, near Kelso
A well preserved 16th century Tower House which holds an interesting exhibition of Walter Scott inspired tapestries and costume dolls.
Melrose Abbey, Melrose
A romantic (and very impressive) ruin dating from the 14th-16th centuries. Buried in the grounds is a casket containing the heart of King Robert the Bruce.
Harmony Garden, Melrose
A tranquil, walled garden located near to Melrose Abbey and affording views of the Eildon Hills.
Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre, Jedburgh
A historic house themed on the story of Mary Queen of Scots.
Priorwood Garden, Melrose
This is a specialist garden where plants are selected and grown for purposes of producing dried flowers. Close to Harmony Garden.
Jedburgh Castle, Jail and Museum, Jedburgh
A very impressive attraction affording visitors an insight into life as a guard and prisoner in the town jail in bygone years.
Philiphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre, Selkirk
Here, visitors can view salmon live by underwater camera on a large screen.
Traquair House, Innerleithen
This is reputed to be the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. Own microbrewery and rooms for letting on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Dumfries House, near Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Surrounded by nearly 200 acres of land, this is one of Scotland’s most important category A-listed houses the contents of which include several unique examples of Thomas Chippendale furniture. This property and its contents were rescued (from sale and disposal) by H.R.H.Prince Charles. Restricted access via a pre-booked guided tour.
More information on the Scottish Borders for visitors
For more information on the Scottish Borders refer my publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4