EXPLORE 2020-2021 The SCOTTISH BORDERS visitscotland.com Contents 2 The Scottish Borders at a glance 4 A creative hub 6 A dramatic past 8 Get active outdoors 10 Discover Scotland’s leading cycling destination 12 Local flavours 14 Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit 41 Leisure activities 46 Shopping Welcome to… 49 Food & drink 52 Accommodation THE SCOTTISH 56 Regional map BORDERS Step out into the rolling hills, smell the spring flowers in the forest, listen to the chattering river and enjoy the smiles of the people you meet. Welcome to the Scottish Borders, a very special part of the country that will captivate you instantly. Here you’ll find wild, wide-open landscapes, a buzzing cultural scene, a natural larder to die for and outdoor activities for the most adventurous of thrill-seekers. The Scottish Borders is also a place where the past lives Cover: Kelso Abbey around us – in ancient abbeys, historic Above image: Mellerstain House, walking routes and the stories told by the near Kelso people you’ll meet. Discover the wealth of incredible experiences in the forests and Credits: © VisitScotland. along the coastline of the Scottish Borders – Kenny Lam, Ian Rutherford, get active, discover great attractions and have Paul Tomkins, Johnstons of Elgin/ an adventure! Angus Bremner, David N Anderson, Cutmedia, David Cheskin 20SBE Hawico Factory Visitor Centre Kelso Outlet Store Arthur Street 20 Bridge Street Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Highland News & Media (HNM). Disclaimer APS / VS / HNM have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for Hawick Kelso and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / HNM have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, they cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / HNM recommend that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of TD9 9QA TD5 7JD the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for www.hawico.com any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / HNM Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm accept no responsibility for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm in an external link. APS / VS / HNM also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual Tel +44 1450 371221 Tel +44 1573 226776 contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2020. 2 THE SCOTTISH BORDERS HIGHLIGHTS Exploring the magnificent coastal headland of St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, with its cliff-top trails, breeding seabirds and stunning sea views. Walking through the cloisters of one of the four enchanting Borders Abbeys at Kelso, Dryburgh, Melrose or Jedburgh. Exploring the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in THE SCOTTISH BORDERS Duns and learning about his successful racing career. Does King Arthur lie inside AT A GLANCE Abbotsford House, Melrose a hollow hall within the Eildon Hills? The hills are so Let the natural beauty of the Scottish Borders cast its spell on you. Discover a gentler pace of life to eat in the café and browse in the Sit beneath the boughs of the mysterious and romantic amid the lush forests, sweeping valleys and historic towns and villages. Fierce battles, literary gift shop. Kids will have a ball in the ancient apple orchard in Priorwood that the legend is easy to greats and mythical figures – our history will fire up your creative imagination. Want a really play park too! Gardens, and imagine the monks of believe... centuries past doing the same. superb outdoor adventure? We have some of the best salmon fishing in the world and two of the Kelso and surrounding area country’s top mountain biking centres. Soothe your spirit at a book festival and treat your taste A must see is the wonderful Climb the magnificent Eildon Hills Don’t miss... for the best possible views of the buds to the finest local fare. Are you ready to fall in love with the Scottish Borders? collection of artworks in Floors The very best in live music, town. Castle. Then go for an art-inspired visual art exhibitions, Berwickshire coast Fresh air fixes many things, and Jedburgh and surrounding wander in its gardens. Sports fans should pop into ‘The creative workshops and you’ll come back smiling from Eyemouth has been a fishing port area Did you know that the town’s Greenyards’, Melrose Rugby Club, more artistic wonders at a walk on the nearby Southern since the 13th century and you can Wander through the picturesque graceful five-arched bridge, over where rugby sevens was invented Creative Peebles, an annual Upland Way or a bike ride along still see the boats bringing their market town of Jedburgh, a Royal the River Tweed, was the model for in 1883. festival held in late summer. catches home today. Or why not hire the Tweed Cycle Way. and Ancient burgh steeped in London’s first Waterloo Bridge? Meeting top authors up close one and try sea fishing yourself? history. Peebles and surrounding area Hawick and surrounding area See why Sir Walter Scott described Only 40 minutes after leaving at the Borders Book Festival Kick off your shoes and feel the Hawick is blessed with a beautiful Tingle your tongue with a bag of Kelso as the ‘prettiest, if not the Edinburgh you can be standing in June. sand between your toes at the location on the banks of the River Jethart Snails; small peppermint most romantic town in Scotland’. in the glorious Tweed Valley, a beaches and secluded coves of the Teviot. It’s the source for whisky boiled sweets enjoyed worldwide The ruined abbey and the peaceful area of outstanding quaint coastal villages of St Abbs, and gin produced at the Borders and still handmade in the town nearby towers of Smailholm and natural beauty. Coldingham and Burnmouth. Distillery. today. Greenknowe will take you back in Try your fly at Innerleithen on the On the High Street you’ll find a Gaze into the Berwickshire coast’s For adrenaline-pumping biking Go time-travelling in Jedburgh’s its tumultuous history. River Tweed, one of the world’s statue of Mungo Park, the great crystal-clear waters and watch out amid stunning scenery, pedal to historic landmarks including Melrose and surrounding area top salmon rivers. explorer who was born just outside for seals, porpoises, otters and nearby Newcastleton, one of the Jedburgh Castle, Mary Queen of Imagine being a world-famous Spritz up your home with Selkirk. thousands of seabirds. region's two 7stanes, world-class Scots House and the Pipers House. writer inside the restored study something wonderful from the mountain biking centres. Uncover the region’s wealth of Local tip – for the best view of 12th of Abbotsford – The Home of Sir Galashiels and surrounding many excellent arts and craft artisan crafts, including the award- Many of the world’s leading century Jedburgh Abbey, climb up Walter Scott. area shops in the area. winning Twist Glass Studio which designers, including Chanel, Dior the spiral staircase to the balcony Galashiels was once an important Ever seen a pig playing the specialises in handcrafted glass and Vivienne Westwood, have used area that overlooks the abbey’s Selkirk and surrounding area textile producing centre and is famous bagpipes? You will if you visit tableware and gifts. the skills of local textile workers interior. Find out about the town’s famous for its beautifully made tweeds. Melrose Abbey, where there are – find out why at the Borders Scottish characters. Visit Sir Walter Saunter along the beautiful banks Explore Old Gala House, a museum At nearby Harestanes Countryside many unusual wall carvings Textile Towerhouse, a fascinating Scott’s Courtroom, where Scott sat of St Mary’s Loch, south Scotland’s and gallery covering over 50 years Visitor Centre you can explore the including the musical pig, experience for the whole family. as a sheriff, which is now a museum largest stretch of water, or skim a walking trails, grab something tasty hobgoblins and dragons. of the town’s history. dedicated to his life and writings. stone and feel your cares drift away. VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 THE SCOTTISH BORDERS OU KN Don’t miss... Y O D W The annual Borders Art Fair I ? D In 2021, which takes place in Kelso the Great Tapestry every March. of Scotland visitor centre will open HIGHLIGHTS in Galashiels. w John Buchan, the author of w m w co The Thirty-Nine Steps, spent .vi d. sitscotlan much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders. You can find out how the area inspired the creativity of one of Scotland’s greatest writers at the John Buchan Story Museum in Peebles. Discover what makes each piece produced by Kelso Pottery so unique and learn about the various firing techniques employed to create the distinctive, one-of-a-kind ceramics. Run your fingers over the A CREATIVE spines of thousands of books at the delightful Mainstreet Trading Company bookshop HUB Johnstons of Elgin, Hawick Mill in St Boswells.