The Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders has had a rough history: centuries of war and plunder have left a battle-scarred landscape, encapsulated by the magnificent ruins of the Border abbeys. The bustling market towns of the Scottish borders set within the beautiful Tweed valley are a hidden gem in Scotland. The East Coast of the Scottish Borders also provides dramatic clifftop landscapes and beautiful beaches interspersed with fishing towns and villages.

Tour Highlights

Peebles, Dryburgh Abbey, Melrose Abbey, Eildon Hills and Scott’s view, Eyemouth, St Abbs, Bass Rock

The Itinerary

Peebles: We begin our journey at the attractive Border market town of Peebles and admire the tranquil setting on the River Tweed.

The Tweed Valley: We drive through the majestic rolling hills and pastoral landscape of the Borders countryside and the Tweed Valley to the charming Melrose sitting at the foot of the Eildon Hills.

Melrose and Melrose Abbey: The noble and evocative ruins of Melrose Abbey lie in the town and is burial place for Robert the Bruce’s heart. We admire the Tweed Valley at Scott’s View and understand the impact of the Scottish Borders on influencing the novels of Sir Walter Scott.

Dryburgh Abbey: The 12th century Dryburgh Abbey (entry fee applicable) is the most beautiful and complete of the Border Abbeys on a lovely sheltered site on the Tweed is also the burial place of Sir Walter Scott.

St Abbs and Eyemouth: We venture eastwards to the coast and stop firstly at the fishing town of Eyemouth, then the picture-perfect fishing village of St Abbs. Here and on our coastal drive we admire the dramatic clifftops and coastline for a chance to spot marine life and seabirds. We then pause to admire the Bass Rock, an extinct volcanic rock and home seasonally to a the world’s largest population of Gannets.

Optional Activities

Abbotsford House entry (Mar-Nov): Take a guided tour of the historic house, chapel and gardens. At other times we can take a stroll through the estate and along the River Tweed.

Traquair House (Apr-Nov): Traquair, Scotland’s oldest inhabited house and a hidden gem. Visited by Scottish Kings and Queens, Traquair dates back to 1107 and has been lived in by the Stuart family since 1491 and was a Jacobite stronghold. Visit the house, grounds, maze and the world famous Traquair House Brewery.

Cruise to the Bass Rock (1 hr return, Apr-Sep): Cruise to the Bass Rock and see wildlife such as gannets, puffins and even seals and dolphins.

Hiking St Abb’s Head (1 hr return): St Abb's Head is a dramatic coastal headland, ringed by cliffs and famed for its seabird colonies.

Hiking, Peebles and the Tweed Valley (1 hr return): This enchanting walk heads upstream along the beautiful banks and woodlands of the River Tweed passing Neidpath Castle.

Glenkinchie distillery: A single malt whisky distillery in East Lothian, it is one of the six distilleries in the Lowland region. Also known as the ‘Edinburgh malt’. In the beautiful countryside setting, take a tour of distillery.