Lothian & Scottish Borders
Rolling hills, empty moorland, quiet valleys and a rocky coastline with secluded coves and fishing villages.
Most people 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.
Drive along the Heart of the Borders Trail, or, if you're a dedicated walker: Follow the Berwickshire Coastal Path or the Borders Abbeys Way.
The story of the Border Reivers
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.
Favorites:
- Crichton Castle *** Location: Crichton / Plus code: R2Q5+RMQ Pathhead
- Dirleton Castle *** Location: Dirleton / Plus code: 26WC+8F9 North Berwick
- Dryburgh Abbey *** Location: Dryburgh / Plus code: H9G2+R4W Melrose
- Edin's Hall Broch *** Location: Abbey St Bathans / Plus code: RJPP+68F Duns
- Hailes Castle *** Location: East Linton / Plus code: X8F8+4MV Haddington
- Hermitage Castle *** Location: Hermitage / Plus code: 7644+CJC Hawick
- Jedburgh Abbey *** Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCGW+J6R Jedburgh
- Melrose Abbey *** Location: Melrose / Plus code: H7XJ+PPH Melrose
- Battle site of the Redeswire Fray (1575) *** Location: Carter Bar / Plus code: 9G4H+PP7 Jedburgh
- Scott's View *** Location: Bemersyde / Plus code: J923+387 Melrose
- Smailholm Tower *** Location: Smailholm / Plus code: JC3F+PF3 Kelso
- Tantallon Castle *** Location: North Berwick / Plus code: 384X+HW7 North Berwick
And than there are.......
- Abbotsford House ** Location: Melrose / Plus code: H6X8+VJG Melrose
- Battle site of Ancrum Moor (1545) * Location: Ancrum / Plus code: G9QW+W6W Melrose
- Battle site of Athelstaneford (832) * Location: Athelstaneford / Plus code: X6PX+HV5 North Berwick
- Blackness Castle ** Location: Blackness / Plus code: 2F4M+9GF Linlithgow
- Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve * Location: Blackridge /Plus code: V6Q4+C5J Bathgate
- Borthwick Castle * Location: Borthwick / Plus code: RXGR+PQX Gorebridge
- Carberry Hill Stand-off (1567) * Location: Carberry / Plus code: WX8W+8CP Musselburgh
- Battle site of Carham (1018) - Location: Carham / Plus code: JMRG+VMH Cornhill-on-Tweed
- Cessford Castle * Location: Cessford / Plus code: GH5M+3QM Kelso
- Drochil Castle * Location: Romannobridge / Plus code: MMG9+X3V West Linton
- Dryhope Tower * Location: Dryhope / Plus code: GR6Q+9CV Selkirk
- Dunbar Castle * Location: Dunbar / Plus code: 2F4M+C45 Dunbar
- Ferniehirst Castle ** Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FC3X+RJG Jedburgh
- Greenknowe Tower ** Location: Gordon / Plus code: MCHG+573 Gordon
- Battle site of Hadden Rigg (1542) - Location: Kelso / Plus code: HJXW+XFR Kelso
- Innerwick Castle * Location: Innerwick / Plus code: XH4F+7JF Dunbar
- Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum * Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCFR+MCQ Jedburgh
- Johnnie Gilnockie's Grave * Location: Teviothead / Plus code: 83P5+PV7 Hawick
- Kelso Abbey ** Location: Kelso / Plus code: HHW9+X42 Kelso
- Ladykirk Church * Location: Ladykirk / Plus code: PRFC+2HM Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Linlithgow Palace ** Location: Linlithgow / Plus code: XCH2+FHX Linlithgow
- Mary, Queen of Scots Visitor Centre ** Location: Jedburgh / Plus code: FCHW+CRR Jedburgh
- Midhope Castle * Location: Abercorn / Plus code: XGR6+W9G South Queensferry
- Neidpath Castle ** Location: Peebles / Plus code: MQ2P+J3C Peebles
- Newark Castle * Location: Selkirk / Plus code: H33J+V4M Selkirk
- Battle site of Philiphaugh (1645) - Location: Selkirk / Plus code: G4VM+HHW Selkirk
- Redhouse Castle * Location: Longniddry / Plus code: X4MP+9Q9 Longniddry
- Roxburgh Castle * Location: Kelso / Plus code: HGWV+JG7 Kelso
- Battle site of Spottismuir (1296) - Location: Spott / Plus code: XFGG+VPP Dunbar
- St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve ** Location: St Abbs / Plus code: WV85+CR6 Eyemouth
- St Mary's Church * Location: Whitekirk / Plus code: 29G2+3C3 Dunbar
- St Mary's Loch ** Location: Cappercleugh / Plus code: FQCV+G32 Selkirk
- Swinton Kirk * Location: Swinton / Plus code: PPCV+P2X Duns
- Tinnis Castle * Location: Drumelzier / Plus code: HJWP+CCP Biggar
- Traquair House ** Location: Traquair / Plus code: JW5M+4V4 Innerleithen
- Yester Castle * Location: Gifford / Plus code: V7RQ+FG7 Haddington