Scottish Borders Tourist Information

The county now known as the Scottish Borders was formed from the previous counties of Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire. This a beautiful area where sheep graze on the hillsides and the Rivers Jed, Teviot and Yarrow flow through lush green valleys to join the River Tweed. Visitors can enjoy walking, fishing exploring gardens, stately homes, monuments and the many historic towns where Scottish Borders Tourist Information is available.

Newcastleton is situated at the southern tip of the county, in Liddesdale. Dykecroft Information Centre have details of a series of five walks in the Newcastleton Forest. A few miles to the north is 14th century Hermitage Castle, a fortress which has witnessed many of the border conflicts throughout history.

Scottish Borders Tourist Information is available in Hawick at Drumlanrig's Tower, where audio/visual technology interprets the town's history. Hawick is known world wide as the home of Cashmere knitwear. You have the opportunity to see the manufacturing process for yourself at Hawick Cashmere Visitor Centre and the Peter Scott factory. The Hawick Museum and Gallery are worth visiting - local history and art is well represented.

Scottish Borders Tourist Information can be accessed in the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh where you can visit Jedburgh Abbey, founded by King David I in 1138.
In the town centre is Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre which interprets the life and times of Queen Mary who visited Jedburgh in 1566.

To the south is Jedforest Deer and Farm Park, offering a great day out for families. North of Jedburgh near the village of Ancrum, is Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, with exhibitions, events, countryside walks and a good play park.

In the central borders, Scottish Borders Tourist Information Centre can be found in Halliwells House Selkirk, home to an interesting museum illustrating the history of the town. Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom, in the town square, is today a museum depicting his work and the period 1804 – 1832. He sat as Sheriff of Selkirk during these years.

Three miles west of Selkirk is Bowhill House and Country Park, the Scottish Borders home of the Duke of Buccleuch. Access to the house is limited, but the Country Park is open from Easter to October.

Scottish Borders Tourist Information centre in Melrose is situated in Abbey Street, close to Melrose Abbey. The town nestles in the valley of the River Tweed and is dominated by the borders' most distinctive landmark - the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills. These are of volcanic origin. At the summit of Eildon Hill North is the remains of the largest hillfort in Scotland. Dating from circa 10th century BC, it was built by the local Selgovae tribe. When the Romans arrived in the Borders in the late 1st century A.D. they built a watchtower on the site and surrounded it with a shallow ditch which can still be seen. Today you can follow a way marked walk from Melrose to the Eildon Hills. You can learn more at the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre at The Ormiston in Market Square.

Walkers can join the Southern Upland Way at Melrose, as it wends its way to Cockburnspath on the east coast.
Attractions for gardeners include Priorwood Gardens and Harmony Garden, both in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

A short drive south east of Melrose are the medieval remains of Dryburgh Abbey, final resting place of Sir Walter Scott. One mile west of Melrose is Abbotsford House, Sir Walter's home, which is open to the public.

Galashiels, in the central Borders, is a busy town and popular shopping centre for the surrounding area. Galashiels has long been associated with the textile industry. Waverly Mill, headquarters of Lochcarron of Scotland, is the largest manufacturer of tartan clothing in Scotland. Lochcarron offer factory tours.

Innerleithen lies between Galashiels and Peebles, another of the borders textile towns. Innerleithen came to fame in the 17th and 18th centuries when visitors 'taking the waters' came to the Sulphurous spring, St Ronan's Wells. Its best known visitor was Sir Walter Scott who based his novel St. Ronan's Well here.
Traquair House dates back to 1107 and was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings of Scotland. A visit offers a fascinating day for all the family.

In the west of the county Scottish Borders Tourist Information centre is situated in the High Street, Peebles. Peebles is a delightful town with lovely walks along the banks of the River Tweed. Attractions near Peebles include medieval Neidpath Castle, whose Great Hall contains Batiks depicting the Life of Mary Queen of Scots.

South of the town is Dawyck Botanic Garden, with wonderful trees, shrubs and borders.

In the west of the county are the beautiful Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys, once the hunting ground of Scotland's Kings. Steeped in history, myth and legend they have been written about by Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg the Ettrick poet. Today the area offers opportunities for sailing, fishing, cycling, walking and hill climbing. The Yarrow Valley runs from St. Mary's Loch, in the heart of the Southern Scottish Uplands, to the outskirts of Selkirk at Philiphaugh. The Ettrick Valley runs from Potburn to the eastern edge of Selkirk.

Scottish Borders Tourist Information is available in Kelso, a historic town at the confluence of the Rivers Teviot and Tweed. Kelso Abbey was founded in 1128 and was the greatest of the border abbeys. Even today the ruins are worth seeing.

Floors Castle and Gardens is home to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh. It's a treasure house of furniture, tapestries, porcelain and art works. The gardens are a delight not to be missed.

A few miles west of Kelso is Smailholm Tower, a well preserved 15th century tower which inspired Sir Walter Scott's “Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders". Near the village of Gordon is Mellerstain, one of Scotland's great Georgian houses, designed by the Adam family.

Coldstream on the River Tweed lies on the Scottish/English border. The town is the birthplace of the Coldstream Guards, raised in 1650 by General Monk to serve in Cromwell's New Model Army. The local museum tells the story of the Regiment and the town. Nearby is Hirsel Country Park with woodland, river and lakeside walks.

Eyemouth, on the east coast of the county, has clean sandy beaches and a busy harbour and is an unspoiled holiday destination. The tourist information centre is housed in the Auld Kirk, also home to Eyemouth museum.

The coastline, with villages of St. Abbs, Coldingham and Burnmouth, provides a fascinating and beautiful range of scenery from high cliffs and deep clear water to sandy coves and quaint fishing harbours. These offer recreational pursuits such as bird watching, walking, fishing and diving.