ESSENCE OF

Front cover: Neidpath Castle, by This page: Abbey

At the southern gateway to Scotland, the seductive Borders region is a land of strong traditions and inspiring heritage sites, a consequence of its turbulent history. A walk through the rolling scenery here is a walk through time, where gardens and abbeys, textile mills and ancient festivals all form part of the patchwork of local life.

Cockburnspath 7 Ecclaw 26 BASE YOURSELF IN LOCATION MAP A1107 Granthouse A1 Jedburgh Auchencrow Kelso A6105 Duns 4 Paxton welcome Melrose Paid Entry Seasonal Disabled Access Dogs Allowed Tea-Room Gift Shop WC Polwarth A6112 £ Westruther DON’T MISS Swinton Peebles Ladykirk

A7 22 d e A68 A6089 e w A703 Stow T er Gordon Eccles A697 iv Peebles 5 6 A6105 R To find out more about Stichill Stobo 1 24 12 A72 accommodation in these areas, Innerleithen 16 17 14 Kelso 2 Melrose 23 call 0845 22 55 121 3 8 3 Newtown 3 A699 11 or click on visitscotland.com St Boswells St Boswells A698 Kirk Yetholm A708 Selkirk 1. Traquair House, near 2. Floors Castle in Kelso is 3. The Scottish Borders 4. Paxton House by 5. Glentress Forest lies 3 Jedburgh 1 25 Innerleithen, dates back to the home of the Roxburghe have four truly amazing Berwick-upon-Tweed was just 1/2 miles to the east of Oxnam A698 Denholm IDEAL FOR Hawick A68 the 12th century and is said family and is the largest abbeys in Jedburgh, Kelso, built in 1758 for Patrick Peebles and is ideal for Ettrick to be the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Dryburgh and Melrose. The Home. A fine example of an walking, cycling, mountain- Walking Bonchester Chesters S L Bridge L A6088 I inhabited house in Scotland. The house has 365 abbeys date back to the era 18th century Palladian biking and horse-riding. Cycling H T Teviothead O When its Bear Gates were windows, one for every day of David I in the 12th century country house, it is home to From the Osprey Car Park, Historic buildings I A7 V E closed in 1745, it was of the year. The woodland and were, in their day, a an impressive range of hire bikes, follow a trail and, Gardens H C decreed that they should not and riverside walks offer constant target for English Chippendale furniture and, upon your return, re-fuel in re-open until another Stuart beautiful views and much invasion leading to a history outdoors, you might like to the Hub in the Forest. From 13 took to the throne. Watch flora and fauna. You might of destruction and try the red squirrel hide. In the Buzzards Nest Car Park, is reputedly the burial Newcastleton place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, out for the fun of the just catch a glimpse of rebuilding. Today, only April and May, you’ll see acre keep your eyes peeled for marked with a commemorative carved Traquair Fair in the first oystercatchers, tawny owls breathtaking ruins remain. upon acre of daffodils and, in these phenomenal birds stone plaque within the grounds. Principal photography © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint Additional photography: VisitScotland Borders, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland weekend of August. or even a red squirrel. (HS) £ the autumn months, the trees soaring high in the sky. (FCS) All information checked in August 2005. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for errors. £ £ (Exceptions at Kelso) turn magnificent shades of FCS: Forestry Commision Scotland red, gold and russet. NTS: National Trust for Scotland £ HS: Historic Scotland WALKS GOLF HISTORY & HERITAGE FOOD & DRINK

6. Glentress Forest is in the heart of the Tweed Valley 9. The is the most recent addition 11. The Roxburghe Golf 14. The ruins of Melrose Abbey date back to the 19. Held from late October to early Forest Park, sitting just above the . Start at to the many pleasant walking routes in the Borders. It will, Course is an 18-hole 15th century although the original building was November, the Borders Banquet the Red Squirrel Car Park and follow your choice of 6 once complete, offer a circular walk of around 65 miles championship-standard constructed in 1136 and subsequently destroyed by puts on a show of the best food and 1 course, beautifully Richard II’s English army in 1385. Take a leisurely walking routes ranging from /2 mile to 4 miles. Follow the and will link together the towns of Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick, drink on offer. This celebration of the red squirrel signposts to reach the remains of an Iron Age Selkirk and Melrose. Already open are the sections from complemented by the afternoon to wander around the magnificent Abbey unique culinary heritage of the area tranquillity of the and grounds, and then on to nearby Russell’s fort, passing the tremendous stand of Douglas Fir en Kelso to Jedburgh, from Jedburgh on through Denholm to gives you the chance to enjoy tea Roxburghe Hotel which Restaurant for some tasty home-baking! (HS) route. (FCS) Hawick and from Hawick through Selkirk. dances, whisky tastings and carveries, dates back to the 1800s. £ 1 amid a varied programme of events. 7. Take a 4 /2 mile tour of St Abb’s Head National Be sure to book this treat in 9 15. The Borders Common Ridings were Fishing on the River Tweed at Kelso advance. Tel: 01573 450331 20. Selkirk Nature Reserve (NTS), with 100m high cliffs, continuing established back in the lawless days, when towns- The 20 £ for a spectacular walk down the coast, to Eyemouth, a people would ride their boundaries to protect their bannock is a FISHING THE RIVER TWEED busy fishing town. Start 2 miles north of on 11 common lands. Today, each Borders town celebrates combination of the A1107. history once a year with magnificent ride-outs of bread dough, fruit, The Tweed is the second longest river in Scotland hundreds of horses. Selkirk Common Riding, with butter and sugar, 7 and takes great pride in the fact that it produces over 400 riders, is amongst the oldest. and is a Borders more fish caught on the fly than any other river in 16. Abbotsford £ is the former classic. Try a slice Britain. A haven for the fisherman looking to get home of Sir , the 19th century novelist with butter in the and poet, author of Waverley and Ivanhoe. Located village teashops or away from it all, it is of course popular for those in 12. Another 18-hole on the B6360 west of Melrose, the house is close indulge in a whole search of that little spot of success! Running from championship-standard to the Sir Walter Scott Courtroom in Selkirk one available from course, Cardrona Hotel, the start of February until the end of November, over which he presided during the early 1800s. most Borders Golf & Country Club is a the river boasts the longest salmon season in stunning combination of bakeries. 16 the country. parkland and woodland. 21. The Queen of the salmon rivers, Although it’s advisable to the Tweed flows right through the 10. The Southern Upland Way, at 212 miles, is the book ahead, it’s worth a try Borders. Keep your eyes peeled for a longest official walk in Scotland, consisting of coast, if you haven’t. Tel: 01896 SCOTT’S VIEW taste of this luxurious dish. Or perhaps forest, farmland and hills. Made up of several smaller 833600 £ you’ll even try to catch your own! Looking onto the Eildon Hills, this is a wonderfully sections, you can walk as little or as much of it as you 17. While football drives the passions of the nation, 8. The St Cuthbert’s Way leads from Melrose, where 13. Newcastleton Golf rugby sets Border hearts beating faster. Today, the 22. The Wheatsheaf at Swinton romantic spot and is so-called because it was choose. The route starts at the west coast, making its way Club is by contrast a 9-hole St Cuthbert is said to have started his ministry, to Holy Melrose Sevens, held in April, is a very special Sir Walter Scott’s favourite patch for picnics through Galloway, past the Hills and St Mary’s Loch hidden gem with scenic near Duns is an award-winning Island (Lindisfarne), where he ended his days. The full event in the Scottish rugby calendar. to the River Tweed. It then crosses the moors around views over the Liddesdale restaurant that focuses on the creative and contemplation. When the carriage bearing distance is 62 miles but it is split into easy sections so you Lauder before gentler Hills. Be warned it’s a 18. Tartan and tweed, wool and cashmere are all use of local produce. Scott’s body was on its way to his funeral at can simply enjoy a small part of it if you choose. Start at farmland leads to The Borders operate a Dog tougher challenge than initially fine examples of the Scottish Borders contribution Dryburgh Abbey (HS), the horses stopped Newtown St Boswells, taking in a walk along the River on the Friendly scheme so your meets the eye! If you’re to the world’s woollen industry. With names Tweed and Dryburgh Abbey. Either continue to Harestanes Lochcarron of Scotland has produced without being reined, as they always did when east coast. (Part FCS) four-legged-friend can planning to play here over a such as Pringle in Hawick and Lochcarron in kilts for movie stars Samuel L Jackson Visitor Centre for a 9 mile route or return via the same enjoy your walks with you! carrying Scott. Thus it was named ‘Scott’s View’. weekend, book ahead. Galashiels, there are great opportunities to treat and Ewan McGregor. course from St Boswells village. Tel: 01387 375257 £ yourself or invest in gifts to take home! Scottish Borders

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OUTSTANDING VIEWS

23. For Scott’s View, take the B6404, St Boswells to Kelso road, and turn onto the B6356 road, signposted Dryburgh Abbey. About one mile along this road there is a junction signposting Scott’s View to the right. Follow this road for about 2 miles.

24. Near the picturesque bridge across the Tweed in the eastern Borders town of Coldstream, you can really sense the history of the area. The border with has witnessed many an invasion and raid. Here, a memorial stone has been erected to commemorate the raising of the famous Coldstream Guards in 1660.

25. Talla Reservoir is situated about half a mile south east of and is more akin to Highland scenery than that of the Borders, with its heather-clad hills and peaceful stretch of water.

26. The Sea Cliffs are the highest and grandest cliffs along the east coast of mainland Britain. The game of seven-a- side rugby originated From St Abb’s Head (NTS), you can observe vast in the Borders late in numbers of cliff-nesting seabirds and, on occasion, the 19th century. whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals.

Scott’s View Coldstream memorial stone