Places to visit in the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders is a region filled with romantic abbeys, castles, gardens, beautiful views and historic attractions. Please enjoy our visitors guide to the Scottish Borders below for suggested places to visit.

Abbotsford House

“Perhaps nowhere else in the world can evoke the power of the romantic past more.  Abbotsford House sits at the heart of the landscape that inspired the poetry and novels of its creator, Sir Walter Scott “

Alnwick Gardens

“Today, The Alnwick Garden is an inspiring landscape with beautiful gardens, unique features – including a Treehouse and the Poison Garden – and magnificent architecture, all brought to life with water” – Duchess of Northumberland

Border Abbeys

Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose Abbeys all offer stunning architecture and history.

Berwick Ramparts

Berwick on Tweed is a historic place with a castle and ramparts built around the old town.  Excellent for shopping and eating out, visit Berwick.  “The remains of a medieval castle crucial to Anglo-Scottish warfare, superseded by the most complete and breathtakingly impressive bastioned town defences in England, mainly Elizabethan but updated in the 17th and 18th centuries. Surrounding the whole historic town, their entire circuit can be walked.”

Bowhill House and Country Park

Bowhill House is set in extensive parkland, the home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Winner of awards for excellence in heritage education.

Chain Bridge Honey Farm

Just down the road from us visit the Chain Bridge Honey Farm. “The … visitor centre was established … to allow the public to discover first hand the extraordinary tale of bees and honey.”

Dawyck Botanical Gardens

Rhododendron walk, native scots pine wood and specialist trails can all be enjoyed at Dawyck Botanical Gardens.

Dunstanburgh Castle

Visit the beach and Dunstaburgh Castle.  Nearby an excellent small shop Eleanor’s Byre on the Northumberland coastal trail does not disappoint.

Ford & Etal Estate

Follow the fun Heatherslaw Light Railway along the river for family fun, Heatherslaw to Etal Castle.

Floors Castle

Built by William Adam for the first Duke of Roxburghe in 1721, Floors Castle offers guided tours around the house, walks in the gardens and a garden centre with adventure playground.

Kalizie Gardens

Trout fishing pond, osprey watching, gift shop, tea room, licensed restaurant, children’s corner, putting green and picnic area.

Norham Castle

Norham Castle is an historic border castle just outside the village of Norham overlooking the Tweed.

Paxton House

Paxton House, five minutes from us, Paxton House offers a café, tours of the historic  house, wildlife watching and fishing.

St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve

“Formed by an extinct volcano, the St Abb’s Head is the best known landmark along the magnificent Berwickshire coast.

Sheer cliffs loom from the sea at St Abb’s Head, giving dramatic views of the Berwickshire coastline and providing an early summer home for nesting seabirds.”

Traquair House

Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited house. Visitors are invited to enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, 1745 Cottage Restaurant and the famous Traquair House Brewery housed in the eighteenth century wing and producing the world famous Traquair House Ales.

World of Boats

World of Boats Museum has an extensive collection of boats on the scenic harbour at Eyemouth. Explore the town where boat rides can be enjoyed in a glass bottom boat.