News

The Scottish Borders is a council area and historic region in the southeastern part of Scotland, bordering England. It is known for its rolling hills, river valleys, historic towns, and rich cultural heritage. The area forms part of the Anglo-Scottish border and has played a crucial role in the history of both nations, being a site of numerous conflicts and significant historical events. From its turbulent past as a frontier between England and Scotland to its modern-day attractions like abbeys, castles, and festivals, it offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors.

Towns and cities

Galashiels:

A principal town in the Borders, historically known for its textile industry. Today, it is an important commercial and educational hub.

Melrose:

Famous for Melrose Abbey, a stunning 12th-century ruin that is believed to be the burial place of the heart of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots. The town is also associated with the founding of rugby sevens.

Hawick:

Known for its long history of woollen and knitwear production, Hawick is famous for producing high-quality textiles. The town is also home to the Hawick Common Riding, an annual event celebrating its history.

Peebles:

A picturesque town known for its arts and crafts, as well as the Tweed Valley, a popular destination for hiking and cycling.

Jedburgh:

Known for Jedburgh Abbey, one of four great abbeys built in the Borders during medieval times. The town also has connections to Mary, Queen of Scots, who stayed here in the 16th century.

Kelso:

A charming town at the confluence of the River Tweed and River Teviot. It is home to the grand ruins of Kelso Abbey and the stately home of Floors Castle.

Area

4,732 sq. km / 1,827 sq. miles

Population

116,820 (2022)

Topography

The Scottish Borders covers a diverse landscape, including the Cheviot Hills to the south and the Southern Uplands in the north. The River Tweed, one of the most important rivers in Scotland, flows through the region and is known for its salmon fishing. The area is bordered to the south by Northumberland in England and to the west by Dumfries and Galloway. To the north, it shares borders with Midlothian, East Lothian, and South Lanarkshire.

Commerce

Historically, the Scottish Borders was a major centre for the textile industry, particularly wool and tweed production, thanks to the abundance of sheep farming in the area. Though the industry has declined, it remains a part of the region’s identity. Agriculture and forestry are significant economic activities, with the landscape being suited for sheep farming and timber production.

Tourism:

The Scottish Borders is popular for heritage tourism, outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, fishing, and visiting historical sites such as abbeys, castles, and stately homes.

Famous people

Sir Walter Scott, Sir David Brewster, Sir Chay Blyth

Attractions

History

Border Wars:

The Scottish Borders were historically a site of conflict between England and Scotland, particularly during the Anglo-Scottish Wars and the period of Border Reivers, when raiders from both sides of the border frequently attacked farms and settlements.

Border Reivers:

From the 13th to the 17th centuries, the Borders were home to notorious Border Reiver clans, who conducted raids and battles across the frontier. Many fortified Peel towers and castles from this period can still be found in the area.

Abbeys:

Four major abbeys—Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, and Kelso Abbey—were built in the Borders in the 12th century and remain significant historical sites today, though many were destroyed during the Rough Wooing wars and Reformation conflicts.

Culture

The Scottish Borders is known for its Common Ridings, annual festivals that celebrate the historic practice of riding the boundaries of the town's common lands. These are some of the oldest equestrian festivals in the world and include towns like Hawick, Selkirk, and Langholm.

Rugby:

The Borders has a strong rugby tradition, with towns like Melrose and Gala being historic centres of the sport. Melrose is also known as the birthplace of rugby sevens, a variant of rugby that has become a global sport.

Melrose Abbey:

A stunning ruin with intricate stonework, this 12th-century abbey is a major tourist attraction and believed to house the heart of Robert the Bruce.

Abbotsford House:

The former home of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most famous writers. The house is a tribute to Scott's romantic vision of Scottish history and culture.

Floors Castle:

The largest inhabited castle in Scotland, located near Kelso, and the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe. Visitors can explore the grand house and its extensive gardens.

Traquair House:

Scotland's oldest continually inhabited house, dating back to 1107, Traquair is a place of historical significance and offers tours, gardens, and a working brewery.

Tweed Valley Forest Park:

Known for its beautiful forests, walking trails, and mountain biking routes, this park offers access to some of the most scenic landscapes in the Borders.

Fishing:

The River Tweed is world-renowned for its salmon fishing, attracting anglers from across the globe.

Walking and Hiking:

The Borders offer many walking trails, including the Southern Upland Way, a long-distance footpath that stretches from the west to the east coast of Scotland, passing through the Borders.

Cycling:

The region has numerous cycling routes, including those around Tweed Valley and Glentress Forest, which is popular for mountain biking.

Transport

The Borders Railway, reopened in 2015, connects the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh, providing an important link between the capital and the region. The railway terminates at Tweedbank, near Galashiels. Major roads like the A68 and A7 pass through the Borders, making it accessible from both Edinburgh and northern England.

Education

Heriot-Watt University has a campus at Galashiels that specializes in textiles and fashion, a nod to the region's historical connection to the textile industry.

html5 menu by Css3Menu.com