2018-19 EXPLORE The SCOTTISH BORDERS visitscotland.com WELCOME TO THE SCOTTISH BORDERS 1 Welcome to… Contents 2 The Scottish Borders THE at a glance SCOTTISH 4 A creative hub BORDERS 6 A dramatic past 8 Get active outdoors 10 Discover Scotland’s leading cycling destination 12 Local flavours 14 Year of Young People 2018 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information 24 Places to visit listings 48 Display adverts 33 Leisure activities listings 57 Display adverts 36 Shopping listings 59 Display adverts 39 Food & drink listings Scott’s View overlooking the River Tweed and Eildon Hill 42 Transport listings 42 Family fun listings 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 Events & festivals you meet. Welcome to the Scottish Borders, a very special part 61 Display adverts of the country that will captivate you instantly. Here you’ll 43 Accommodation listings find wild, wide-open landscapes, a buzzing 61 Display adverts cultural scene, a natural larder to die for 64 Regional map and outdoor activities for the most adventurous of thrill-seekers. The Scottish Borders is also a place where the past lives around us – in ancient abbeys, historic walking routes and the stories told by the people you’ll meet. And as 2018 is our Year of Young People, there has never been a more exciting time to discover the range of activities, events and opportunities available for families and young people alike across Scotland. Cover: Mountain biking, Glentress Credits: ©VisitScotland. Kenny Lam, Ian Rutherford, Paul Tomkins, GoApe!, David Cheskin, Borders Buses 18SBE Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Scottish Provincial Press (SPP). Disclaimer APS / VS / SPP 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 and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / SPP have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / SPP recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/ manager of the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / SPP accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / SPP 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 contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2018. 2 THE SCOTTISH BORDERS THE SCOTTISH BORDERS AT A GLANCE Abbotsford – The home of Sir Walter Scott, Melrose Let the natural beauty of the Scottish Borders cast its spell on you. Discover a gentler pace of life amid the lush forests, sweeping valleys and historic towns and villages. Fierce battles, literary greats and mythical figures – our history will fire up your creative imagination. Want a really superb outdoor adventure? We have some of the best salmon fishing in the world and two of the country’s top mountain biking centres. Soothe your spirit at a book festival and treat your taste buds to the finest local fare. Are you ready to fall in love with the Scottish Borders? Berwickshire coast famous for its beautifully made nearby Newcastleton, one of the Eyemouth has been a fishing port tweeds. region's two 7stanes, world-class mountain biking centres. since the 13th century and you can Explore Old Gala House, a museum still see the boats bringing their and gallery covering over 50 years Many of the world’s leading catches home today. Or why not hire of the town’s history. designers, including Chanel, Dior one and try sea fishing yourself? and Vivienne Westwood, have used Fresh air fixes many things, and the skills of local textile workers Kick off your shoes and feel the you’ll come back smiling from – find out why at the Borders sand between your toes at the a walk on the nearby Southern Textile Towerhouse, a fascinating beaches and secluded coves of the Upland Way or a bike ride along experience for the whole family. quaint coastal villages of St Abbs, the Tweed Cycle Way. Coldingham and Burnmouth. Jedburgh and surrounding Gaze into the Berwickshire coast’s Hawick and surrounding area Hawick is blessed with a beautiful area crystal-clear waters and watch out Wander through the picturesque location on the banks of the River for seals, porpoises, otters and market town of Jedburgh, a Royal Teviot. Find out how this river thousands of sea birds. and Ancient burgh steeped in powered the town’s prosperity history. Galashiels and surrounding while admiring its beauty. Tingle your tongue with a bag of area For adrenaline-pumping biking Jethart Snails; small peppermint Galashiels was once an important amid stunning scenery, pedal to textile producing centre and is boiled sweets enjoyed worldwide VISITSCOTLAND.COM THE SCOTTISH BORDERS AT A GLANCE 3 and still handmade in the town Peebles and surrounding area today. Only 40 minutes after leaving Highlights Go time-travelling in Jedburgh’s Edinburgh you can be standing historic landmarks including in the glorious Tweed Valley, a Imagine growing up in Jedburgh Castle Jail and the Pipers peaceful area of outstanding fairytale Floors Castle, House on the Town Trail. natural beauty. the largest lived-in castle in Scotland. Its priceless Try your fly at Innerleithen on the Local tip – for the best view of 12th collection of European River Tweed, one of the world’s top century Jedburgh Abbey, climb up paintings and tapestries salmon rivers. the spiral staircase to the balcony would be your wallpaper... area that overlooks the abbey’s Spritz up your home with Tee up at Hawick Golf Club, interior. something wonderful from the the oldest in the region. many excellent arts and craft shops Colin Montgomerie and Nick Kelso and surrounding area in the area. A must see is the wonderful Faldo like it so much they collection of artworks in Floors Selkirk and surrounding area became honorary members. Castle. Then go for an art-inspired Find out about the town’s famous Does King Arthur lie inside wander in its gardens. Scottish characters. Visit Sir Walter a hollow hall within the Did you know that the town’s Scott’s Courtroom, where Scott sat Eildon Hills? The hills are so graceful five-arched bridge, over as a sheriff, which is now a museum mysterious and romantic the River Tweed, was the model for dedicated to his life and writings. On that the legend is easy to London’s first Waterloo Bridge? the High Street you’ll find a statue of believe... Mungo Park, the great explorer who See why Sir Walter Scott described was born just outside Selkirk. Kelso as the ‘prettiest, if not the Don’t miss... Uncover the region’s wealth of most romantic town in Scotland’. The very best in live music, The ruined abbey and the artisan crafts, including the award- winning Twist Glass Studio which visual art exhibitions, nearby towers of Smailholm and creative workshops and Greenknowe will take you back in specialises in handcrafted glass tableware and gifts. more artistic wonders at its tumultuous history. the annual Peebles Arts Saunter along the beautiful Festival in late summer. Melrose and surrounding area banks of St Mary’s Loch, southern Imagine being a world-famous Scotland’s largest stretch of water, Meeting top authors up writer inside the restored study or skim a stone and feel your cares close at the Borders Book of Abbotsford – The Home of Sir drift away. Festival in June. Walter Scott. Ever seen a pig playing the bagpipes? You will if you visit Melrose Abbey, where there are many unusual wall carvings including the musical pig, hobgoblins and dragons. Sit beneath the boughs of the ancient apple orchard in Priorwood Gardens, and imagine the monks of centuries past doing the same. Climb the magnificent Eildon Hills for the best possible views of the town. Sports fans should pop into ‘The Greenyards’, Melrose Rugby Club, where rugby sevens was invented in 1883. St Abbs VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 THE SCOTTISH BORDERS A CREATIVE HUB Borders Book Festival Pack your paintbox and bring a fresh notebook – the breathtaking landscapes, sublime buildings and welcoming people in the Scottish Borders are sure to spark your creativity. You can also see how the masters of language, music and art have found their muse here at a spectacular range of cultural events. Eat. Sleep. Paint. Retreat. Nestled using locally sourced timber at Rob attractions on the Scottish Borders in the rolling hills of the Borders, Elliot Furniture in Selkirk. Textile Trail. Paintbox Luxury Art Retreats at Borders weavers have been making Simple, classic lines or gorgeous Over Kirkhope Farm, Selkirk is the beautiful fabrics and garments detailing – what’s your jewellery perfect haven for a relaxing art- since the 13th century. After 700 style? You’ll certainly find pieces to themed getaway. years of mastery, it’s no wonder impress at the award-winning Buy The Tweeddale Museum and that our textile-makers are in Design Gallery at Harestanes Visitor Gallery in Peebles features demand from fashion designers Centre, near Jedburgh. The superb fantastic displays of the area’s and Hollywood stars including range of jewellery is complemented fascinating art and history, in Ewan McGregor and Samuel L.