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Paxton House in Scotland looks towards the River Tweed and the border with England - photo by kristeenb - CC-BY

If you’re travelling between England and central Scotland, why not leave time to explore the Borders region as you pass through? There’s plenty of choice for tourists and for anyone planning a day out from Newcastle, Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Amongst the wonderful scenery, there are great opportunities for hiking, biking and hill-walking. The River Tweed and its tributaries are known for good fishing. Less sporty visitors can explore market towns full of character, grand historic houses and gardens, ruined castles and abbeys – and more.

St. Mary’s Loch is a first stop for many people coming from the south via the Lake District. Surrounded by hills, the loch (lake) is enjoyed by walkers and non-walkers alike. Another well-known beauty spot further east is Scott’s View, one of Sir Walter Scott’s favourite places, looking out across a fertile green landscape to the distinctive outline of the Eildon Hills.

The Eildons are close to the Four Abbeys Cycle Route, a 55-mile round trip through rolling countryside passing near the 12th century abbeys at Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso, Jedburgh. Dryburgh is in a charming rural setting near the village of St. Boswell’s, while the other three abbeys stand inside historic towns. Glentress Forest near Peebles has a different kind of cycle trail,  popular with mountain bikers.

Most of the “stately homes” in the Borders are worth visiting for their grounds alone, even if you don’t want a full tour of the interior. Mellerstain House, Floors Castle, Thirlestane Castle and others have a combination of fine mature trees in parkland, riverside walks, and formal terraces or walled gardens. Old kitchens or outbuildings often provide child-friendly spaces for lunch and snacks.

Traquair House has its own individual appeal. Round the corner from its beech hedge maze is a functioning 18th century brewery. Craftspeople have workshops in old stables and cottages, while peacocks watch visitors drinking tea in the walled garden. Inside the house are rooms believed to date back to the 12th century, a priest’s hole, and a bed used by Mary Queen of Scots.

Long-distance walkers may know that much of the Southern Upland Way passes through the Borders, ending by the sea at Cockburnspath. To explore more of the coastline, try the stunning outlook from St. Abb’s Head, now part of a nature reserve with colonies of seabirds and a variety of wild flowers in cliff-top grassland. Visit the sandy beach at Coldingham, or the old harbour at Eyemouth.

So, we hope you’re now convinced the Borders isn’t just somewhere to pass through as you head north or south.

Note: the modern Borders Region draws together the older counties of Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire as well as part of Midlothian. Other traditional names for parts of this region include Tweeddale, Lauderdale and Teviotdale.