Scottish Borders Travel Guide | Scottish Borders Tourist Information

The Scottish Borders Travel Guide highlights local attractions, places of interest, entertainment and contains useful tourist information for visitors to the region. The Scottish Borders region of Scotland is located close to the English border and is around eighteen hundred square miles. The region contains a range of landscapes for visitors to see including the rolling hills and moorland to the west, with valleys and rich agricultural plains to the east, whilst the rocky coastline provides some dramatic scenery and there are some picturesque fishing towns and villages to explore too.


Scottish Borders Guide

Overview and Attractions
Scottish Borders Hotels
Scottish Borders Map
Scottish Borders Local Search
Scottish Borders Weather
Flight Search



Overview and Attractions

The River Tweed runs through the centre of the Scottish Borders region and is known for its fishing. Those interested in golf, cycling and riding are also well catered for here with good facilities to indulge in your passion.

Coldstream is situated on the River Tweed and is best recognised for being the birthplace of the Coldstream Guards. The history of this famed regiment is displayed in the local museum which also shows the history of the town since the 18th century. Close by Hirsel Estate offers woodland and lakeside walks, with a great display of flowers in May and June for visitors to see. Galashiels is located at the heart of the Borders, in a valley of the Gala Water. Lochcarron of Scotland Cashmere and Wool Centre offer tours of the weaving process, and inside the mill, Galashiels Museum tells the history of the town. Old Gala House, once the home of the Lairds of Gala, has been turned in to a museum and art gallery.

The largest of the Border towns is Hawick and is internationally renowned for fine quality knitwear. Visitors will see both well known names here and smaller businesses. There are attractions such as Drumlanrigs Tower that opened in Hawick in 1995. A monument with a turbulent history, was a stronghold of cross-border warfare, its intriguing story is told to visitors as they are led through time from the Middle Ages to the 1930s when it was converted to a hotel.

The Wilton Lodge Park located on the River Teviot's banks is over 100 acres in size and offers many tree lined walks, picnic and recreational facilities. The Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery show the history of the town and provide a venue for visiting exhibitions. In August the annual Summer Festival takes place as a fortnight of events, competitions, parades and concerts suitable for all age groups.

Walkerburn is a picturesque town located along the River Tweed. It presents a great place to relax with its abundance of fabulous countryside, amazing wildlife and magnificent scenery. Walkerburn is an ideal retreat for those seeking some peace and quiet in picturesque surroundings. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the countryside, via marked routes. Anglers will like the River Tweed and the fantastic fishing for both Salmon and Trout, while there are great conditions for canoeists too. Close by is the relaxed town of Innerleithen that has shops, hotels and a golf course.

There is also St Ronans Well a historic spa, built back in 1827 which had been used by the Victorians in need of the curative waters. A short distance away by car is the very scenic town of Peebles, it has shops, hotels, a market and golf facilities to enjoy.

Floors Castle is the largest inhabited house in Scotland and is home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe in the scenic countryside. The castle has some wonderful tapestries, impressive 17th century French furniture, artworks and porcelain. The Walled Gardens are a treat and make for a wonderful sight, there are colourful herbaceous borders, soft fruit cages, glass peach houses, the children’s adventure playground and coffee shop. A trip here makes gives a fascinating insight in to history and in such wonderful surroundings visitors can enjoy a fun family day out here. There are events going on here throughout the year and some of these are the Snowdrop Festival, Tapestry Trail, Fruit Tree Pruning and others.

One of the historic places history fans will enjoy is at Thirlestane Castle the historic seat of the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale. The castle is currently still in the Maitland family and is their family home. The castle is famed for its 17th century plasterwork ceilings, there are fine pictures, furnishings, family treasures of the Maitland family and a country life exhibition. Facilities here include a woodland walk and free parking for castle visitors as well as a gift shop. Visitors can get drinks and light lunches in the Old Servants Hall. The venue can be hired for corporate events and special occasions.

The House of Mary Queen of Scots is among the most popular visitor attractions in the Scottish Borders. It is a 16th Century fortified bastel house, and contains displays on the life and times of Mary Queen of Scots. There is archive material relating to her visit to Jedburgh in 1566 and original material from the 16th Century that help to recreate the turbulent reign of one of the charismatic Queen. The house is set in gardens that are award winning and looks dramatic at night when they are floodlit. There are a number of souvenirs, books and postcards available there. The rooms here contain oil paintings, tapestries, furniture, arms and armour and even some of the Queen's possessions.

Paxton House was built in 1758 on a ridge overlooking the River Tweed. Paxton House is regarded as among the finest 18th century Palladian country houses in the UK. The house has interiors by Robert Adam and fine collections of furniture by Thomas Chippendale. There is also currently the largest picture gallery in a Scottish country house, Paxton houses over 70 paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland. This makes a trip here a fascinating and enjoyable one for arts lovers.

There are a number of period rooms to explore, over 80 acres of gardens, woodland and parkland and a mile of the River Tweed for visitors to explore. There are gift shops for souvenirs and an adventure playground to keep the children amused and occupied. The picnic areas allow visitors to take advantage of the beautiful surrounds and enjoy a picnic here.

Dawyck Botanic Garden boasts a history of several hundred years of tree planting and is regarded as among the world's finest arboreta. The gardens contain some of the tallest trees in Britain, exotic conifers and the unique Dawyck Beech. Located in the heart of the Border region the gardens make for a great sight, there a number of burnside walks, allowing you to enjoy the sights, fragrances and wide array of plants on display in this interesting garden. Dawyck is an interesting place to visit all year round there are plenty of snowdrops and daffodils in early spring and displays of azaleas and rhododendrons in early summer. This kaleidoscope of seasonal changes also includes the autumn offering of tones that include orange, gold and red.

The Bowhill Theatre started back in 1989 and offer theatre fans with a full programme of drama and music all year round. Located a few miles from the burgh of Selkirk in scenic borderlands region, the theatre is surrounded by 500 acres of park and woodland that is unspoilt making it a beautiful location. Facilities include a theatre and foyer bar, a courtyard restaurant where visitors can enjoy a romantic meal in a wonderful environment. The theatre has hosted many performers, that are locally based, and from other areas too. The theatre aims to provide a platform for local talent and bring quality music and drama to primarily rural audience.

The Cross Keys Inn at Ettrickbridge was formerly a 17th century coaching Inn, it is currently a family rum business. Located in the peaceful village of Ettrickbridge, within close proximity of Selkirk, the Inn offers visitors a nice place to base themselves from where you can explore the region further. There is a restaurant and self catering accommodation available. The bar has a certain historic charm with the walls and shelves containing antiques and pictures. It is located in a rural location giving visitors the countryside and local community feeling yet is within close reach of larger centres such Edinburgh, Dumfries or many of the Borders towns.

The Simply Scottish Restaurant is located in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, it is a modern Bistro / Restaurant & coffee shop that specialising in local quality produce. Diners can enjoy traditional Scottish influences used in the dishes that presented in with a fresh modern twist. Diners can relax in the informal surroundings here and enjoy the laid back atmosphere whilst enjoying their meals. The restaurant specialises in Scottish food for visitors to try and also offers seafood and a mixed menu. Address: 6-8 High Street, Jedburgh, TD8 6AG, Scotland & Telephone: +44 (0) 1835 864696.


Scottish Borders Hotels

Accommodation in is available in the Scottish Borders region to suit a range of budgets. One thing to remember is to ensure your hotel is not too far away from where you need to get to, the travelling time each day to and from your hotel can take up a substantial chunk of your time. It is wise to do your research and ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and the hotel offers the facilities and services you require. There are a range of hotels available in the Scottish Borders region, for further information please see: Scottish Borders Hotels


The Borders region is blessed with an interesting and varied landscape making it a fascinating place to visit. There are natural attractions for those that like natural scenery and varied environments, there is history with some wonderful castles and historic houses and a wonderful feeling of space and tranquillity just the place for those wanting to relax and get away from the pressures of the cities. The region is as the name implies on the border of England and Scotland and trips here can be made conveniently from the North of England.


Resources:

Scottish Borders Map
Use the + and - on the map below to zoom in and zoom out. Hold curser over map to scroll across, up and down.


View Larger Map


Scottish Borders Local Search

Use the Scottish Borders Local Search map to find a range of local services. Search for local Hotels, Bars, Dining & Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Places of Interest, Tourist Attractions and much more. Find local directions. To view click on the Scottish Borders search link below and ensure your browser is pop up enabled:

Scottish Borders Local Search Map


Scottish Borders Weather




Search for Cheap Flights with SKYSCANNER Flight Search

Find Cheap Flights from the UK and beyond with the Skyscanner flight search. Click on the Search tab to begin your search.














Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.