The Scottish Borders - Holidays & Breaks (original) (raw)
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The Scottish Borders is the easiest destination in Scotland to reach, full of rolling hills, open countryside and picturesque coastline. It's also rich in history with spellbinding abbeys, textile mills and awe-inspiring stately homes and castles.
Great things to do in the Scottish Borders
Stunning castles, beautiful views and tasty farm produce await in the Scottish Borders.
Tweed Valley Canoe Trail
Stretching 30-miles of the River Tweed, this first official canoe trail in south Scotland reaches from Stobo to Tweedbank amidst stunning scenery.
Top day out ideas
Discover a region where Scotland’s stories, landscapes and creativity come together in fresh and surprising ways.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland
The Tapestry tells a compelling visual account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its formation to present day.
Abbotsford House
Discover the story of Scotland’s greatest writer at his romantic riverside home, filled with history, books and inspiration.
Glentress 7stanes
Explore the new network of mountain biking trails and new multi-user path at Glentress.
Trimontium
Learn the story of Trimontium, the largest Roman fort and settlement north of Hadrian’s Wall and the native Iron Age tribes who inhabited the area.
Jim Clark Motorsport Museum
This museum celebrates local hero and F1 racing legend Jim Clark with exhibits spanning cars, trophies, memorabilia, and more.
The Borders Distillery
The region’s first whisky distillery in almost 200 years boasts polished tours, tastings and a handsome restored mill setting.
Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries
See what's on in the Scottish Borders
Jedburgh Town Centre
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Map of the Scottish Borders
How to travel to and around the Scottish Borders
Spanning 1,800 square miles, the Scottish Borders is just south of Edinburgh, to the north east of Dumfries & Galloway and borders with Northumberland in the north of England.
Getting to
There are regular services from London King’s Cross via York, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed on the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh. You can connect to the Borders Railway at Edinburgh Waverley or switch to Borders Buses for local connections at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Check out the LNER website for details
The Borders Railway makes the region more accessible than ever. Connecting Edinburgh with Tweedbank, journey time is just under an hour and there are 10 charming towns in both Midlothian and the Borders.
Find out more on the Borders Railway
From Edinburgh:
Hop on Borders Buses from Edinburgh. Services number X62 to Galashiels via Peebles, X95 to Carlisle via Stow and Galashiels, as well as bus lines 51 and 52 to Jedburgh offer regular services.
From Carlisle:
Take Borders Buses service number X95 to Edinburgh via Langholm, Galashiels and Stow.
From Berwick-upon-Tweed:
Catch Borders Buses service number 253 to Edinburgh to head north via the Scottish Borders coastline, or hop on services 60 or 67 to head to the heart of the Borders and Galashiels Transport Interchange, where you can change onto further services.
You can reach the heart of the region from Edinburgh or Newcastle within two hours.
Travel by car on a choice of routes from England. The main routes are:
The A1 in the east
The A7 or A68 in the central Borders
The A697 from the south
The most scenic route to take is the A68 at Carter Bar which takes you right into the heart of the region.
Plan your trip on the Scotland Starts Here website
Getting around
The Scottish Borders is criss-crossed by a multitude of footpaths and long distance routes, making the most of the wide-open spaces and fantastic scenery.
Major long distance routes include the Southern Upland Way, linking the Dumfries & Galloway coast in the west to the Berwickshire coast in the eastern Scottish Borders, and St Cuthbert’s Way, stretching from Melrose all the way across the border with England to the island of Lindisfarne.
Walk Highlands is a great resource for walks of various lengths across Midlothian and the Scottish Borders for keen walkers and novices alike, and there are lots of walking routes for the Scottish Borders on the Scotland Starts Here website.
Road biking is great for accessibility, and there are plenty of routes in the Scottish Borders that offer leisurely and quiet trails for groups and families. You will find many bike related services concentrated along the most popular routes, with a variety of major National Cycle Routes, such as Routes 1 and 7.
Lothian Buses run regularly from Edinburgh to Midlothian and beyond, while Borders Buses serve Edinburgh, Midlothian as well as major Borders towns such as Peebles, Hawick, Selkirk, Kelso and Galashiels, the area’s main transport hub. From Galashiels Transport Interchange, you can change onto a variety of local services, which can take you as far as Berwick-upon-Tweed in the east and Carlisle to the west, making day trips especially easy.
The A1 in the east and the A7 and A68 all run through the central Borders while an extensive network of minor roads ensure all towns are within easy reach of one another.
Why not take one of the scenic driving routes and trails the area has to offer?
- Follow the Borders Historic Route for the most picturesque journey.
- Motorsport fans can pay homage to the former Formula One racing legend, Jim Clark, on the Jim Clark Trail.
The Green House, accommodation in Selkirk
Places to stay in the Scottish Borders
Book a self-catering cottage on a farm, stay in a charming town hotel or see if there's a castle fit for all the family.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel
© Fly Fishing Nation / Marina Gibson
The Scottish Borders by area
From rolling hillsides and tranquil valleys to picturesque coastlines and charming towns, get to know the Scottish Borders and discover its scenic trails, historic landmarks and vibrant local culture.
Berwickshire Coast
Explore the rugged coastline of Berwickshire Coast, admire stunning views and meet the seals and dolphins that inhibit the local waters.
Eildon and Leaderdale
From Abbotsford to Melrose Abbey, get to know the stories of this fascinating area of the Scottish Borders.
Selkirk and the Valleys
There is no shortage of great things to discover, from Bowhill House to local delicacies such as the Selkirk Bannock.
Teviot, Eskdale and Liddesdale
Try mountain biking trails at 7Stanes Newcastleton, or explore Hawick's connection to textile industry, there's plenty to see and do!
The Cheviots
Take an alpaca for a walk, or venture to Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland - the possibilities are endless!
The Tweed Valley
World-class mountain biking, great salmon fishing, fantastic walking routes, incredible heritage and history - the choice is yours!
Peebles and the River Tweed viewed from Priorsford Footbridge
Explore nearby
Explore the Scottish Borders and beyond, with itineraries and recommendations that take you through south Scotland and into the Lothians and Clyde Valley.
Edinburgh & The Lothians
Discover the Lothians region and the city of Edinburgh, with holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and maps & fantastic things to see & do.
Dumfries & Galloway
Dumfries & Galloway sits in the south west corner of Scotland. It's great for outdoor activities and historic attractions.
Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley
Discover what there is to see and do as well as recommendations for accommodation and eating out, events, unique experiences, travel tips, and more.
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