This is The Scottish Borders!
Rolling hills, empty moorland, quiet valleys and a rocky coastline with secluded coves and fishing villages. Most people visiting Scotland only pay lip service to this region and rush on northwards.
True, no dramatic Highland mountain scenery so often associated with Scotland, but you will find small bustly towns and picturesque villages, as well as the castles, abbeys, stately homes and museums that illustrate the exciting and often bloody history of the region.
For today's tranquillity and a more relaxed pace of life: Lothian & Scottish Borders. Why don't you drive along the Heart of the Borders Trail, or, if you're a dedicated walker: The Berwickshire Coastal Path or the Borders Abbeys Way could be up your alley.
Site rating:
Although the featured attractions, sites and landmarks are always chosen by me, I have made a serious effort to differentiate 4 levels:
- (***) This is, for whatever reason, a very personal favourite! Will definitely be on my itinerary! Could possibly be disappointing for someone else though.
- (**) A major must-see tourist attraction that you can find in many a brochure.
- (*) Worth seeing and possibly interesting if you happen to be in the vicinity.
- (-) A hefty dollop of imagination is a must, but it might be interesting if you know the background.
My very personal selection:
Location: Crichton / Plus code: R2Q5+RMQ Pathhead
Location: Dirleton / Plus code: 26WC+8F9 North Berwick
Location: Dryburgh / Plus code: H9G2+R4W Melrose
Location: Abbey St Bathans / Plus code: RJPP+68F Duns
Location: Dowlaw / Plus code: WQJG+VC Eyemouth
Location: East Linton / Plus code: X8F8+4MV Haddington
Location: Hermitage / Plus code: 7644+CJC Hawick
Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCGW+J6R Jedburgh
Location: Melrose / Plus code: H7XJ+PPH Melrose
Location: Carter Bar / Plus code: 9G4H+PP7 Jedburgh
Location: Bemersyde / Plus code: J923+387 Melrose
Location: Smailholm / Plus code: JC3F+PF3 Kelso
Location: North Berwick / Plus code: 384X+HW7 North Berwick
And than there are.......
Location: Melrose / Plus code: H6X8+VJG Melrose
Location: Ancrum / Plus code: G9QW+W6W Melrose
Location: Athelstaneford / Plus code: X6PX+HV5 North Berwick
Location: Blackness / Plus code: 2F4M+9GF Linlithgow
Location: Blackridge / Plus code: V6Q4+C5J Bathgate
Location: Borthwick / Plus code: RXGR+PQX Gorebridge
Location: Carberry / Plus code: WX8W+8CP Musselburgh
Location: Carham / Plus code: JMRG+VMH Cornhill-on-Tweed
Location: Cessford / Plus code: GH5M+3QM Kelso
Location: Romannobridge / Plus code: MMG9+X3V West Linton
Location: Dryhope / Plus code: GR6Q+9CV Selkirk
Location: Dunbar / Plus code: 2F4M+C45 Dunbar
Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FC3X+RJG Jedburgh
Location: Gordon / Plus code: MCHG+573 Gordon
Location: Kelso / Plus code: HJXW+XFR Kelso
Location: Innerwick / Plus code: XH4F+7JF Dunbar
Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCFR+MCQ Jedburgh
Location: Teviothead / Plus code: 83P5+PV7 Hawick
Location: Kelso / Plus code: HHW9+X42 Kelso
Location: Ladykirk / Plus code: PRFC+2HM Berwick-upon-Tweed
Location: Linlithgow / Plus code: XCH2+FHX Linlithgow
Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCHW+CRR Jedburgh
Location: Abercorn / Plus code: XGR6+W9G South Queensferry
Location: Peebles / Plus code: MQ2P+J3C Peebles
Location: Selkirk / Plus code: H33J+V4M Selkirk
Location: Selkirk / Plus code: G4VM+HHW Selkirk
Location: Longniddry / Plus code: X4MP+9Q9 Longniddry
Location: Kelso / Plus code: HGWV+JG7 Kelso
Location: Spott / Plus code: XFGG+VPP Dunbar
Location: St Abbs / Plus code: WV85+CR6 Eyemouth
Location: Whitekirk / Plus code: 29G2+3C3 Dunbar
Location: Cappercleugh / Plus code: FQCV+G32 Selkirk
Location: Swinton / Plus code: PPCV+P2X Duns
Location: Drumelzier / Plus code: HJWP+CCP Biggar
Location: Traquair / Plus code: JW5M+4V4 Innerleithen
Location: Gifford / Plus code: V7RQ+FG7 Haddington