There is something for everyone in the Scottish Borders. This is a land with a turbulent and romantic history, punctuated by imposing castles, elegant abbeys, stately mansions and dramatic ruins.
Neidpath Castle can be found perched over the River Tweed on the edge of Peebles. From here you can visit Dawyck, one of the National Botanic Gardens, or Kailzie Gardens with its formal walled garden. Peebles spacious High Street offers interesting boutiques and local shopping. You can round off the day with a visit to the Eastgate Theatre.
Come and explore Traquair House, the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland, which is just along the road from some of the best mountain biking in the world with the 7stanes at Glentress and Innerleithen. You can also visit the newly opened Glentress Peel, gateway to the Tweed Valley Forest Park.
Melrose is the birthplace of rugby sevens and lies at the foot of the distinctive peaks of the Eildon Hills. Melrose’s ruined 12th century Abbey is the burial place of the casket believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce. You can also visit Abbotsford, just three miles west of Melrose, and former home of Sir Walter Scott.
Where the Borders two main rivers, the Tweed and the Teviot, meet you’ll find the picturesque town of Kelso with its Abbey – like so many others in the area it suffered in the Border war. Just outside the town you will find Floors Castle, Scotland’s largest inhabited castle.
King David I founded Jedburgh’s red 
sandstone Abbey in 1138, since then it has been sacked and rebuilt numerous times. Here you will also find Mary, Queen of Scots House which tells the tragic story of the Queen. Nearby you can also visit Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre and Monteviot House Gardens.
Lauder is crossed by the A68, a route which has witnessed the passage of many an army over the centuries and now the Southern Upland Way, Britain’s first coast to coast footpath pass through the town. Thirlestane Castle with its renowned plasterwork ceilings form the Restoration period can also be visited here.
The Berwickshire coastline with its small villages and towns provides a fascinating and beautiful range of scenery. Eyemouth lies a mere five miles north of the Border with England. St Abbs National Nature Reserve is a landmark site for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts and you will also find some wonderful diving in this area Duns, with its spacious Market Square, is situated in the rolling Berwickshire countryside and home to the Jim Clark Museum. Nearby you will also find Manderston House with its sumptuous silver staircase. The largest collection of Chippendale furniture can be found at Paxton House. Coldstream forms the natural boundary between Scotland and England and used to rival Gretna for runaway marriages.
The Ancient and Royal burgh of Selkirk stands high above the twin valleys of Ettrick and Yarrow. Some of the most glorious scenery in the Scottish Borders can be found here along with St Mary’s Loch. Bowhill House and Country Estate can be found on the outskirts of Selkirk where there is something to be enjoyed by all the family including woodland walks and a Victorian kitchen.
Hawick is part of the Cashmere Trail. You can also visit The Heart of Hawick, which encompasses the Heritage Hub, a theatre and a cafe bar. The Heritage Hub is home to the Scottish Borders archive and local history centre. In the south-western tip of the Borders you will find the village of Newcastleton, formerly Border Reiver country and now home to another 7stanes mountain biking centre, Hermitage Castle and also Rock UK, an outdoor adventure centre.
To find out more about what to see and do have a look at the Stay, Eat & Shop page, or check the business listings which appear on each route. You can also find out more about the area by visting the VisitScottishBorders site.