Scottish Borders

St Abbs

If your Scottish trip doesn’t venture far from Edinburgh but you’d like to see a wild and solitary corner, we recommend a short detour to St Abbs, a tiny, picturesque fishing village surrounded by a truly spectacular stretch of coastline.

At St Abbs Head you’ll find many of the characteristic features of the Scottish landscape: sheer cliffs plunging into turbulent seas and covered with flowering heather, rugged, barren terrain that battles daily against the elements, a lighthouse scanning the waters, and a fishing community that continues this demanding trade.

Here you can enjoy scenic boat trips to admire the coastline from the sea, go scuba diving or take up birdwatching.

The most spectacular spot is undoubtedly the St Abbs Head Nature Reserve, 80 hectares of craggy, jagged coastline where towering rock stacks and cliffs reaching 100 metres plunge dramatically into the sea and are home to thriving colonies of seabirds.

We recommend following the cliff-top path that leads all the way to the lighthouse (roughly 1.5 km of walking) from where you can admire simply magnificent scenery.

Cove Harbour

Cove Harbour is a picturesque hidden port on the Berwickshire coast that captures the very essence of maritime Scotland. This tiny fishing village, nestled between towering cliffs, represents one of the most well-preserved gems of the east coast, a place where time seems to have stood still.

The true magic of Cove Harbour lies in its staircase carved into the rock, a Victorian feat of engineering that leads down to the port below through a natural tunnel. As you descend, the landscape gradually unfolds to reveal the enchanting sheltered bay, where a handful of colourful fishing boats bob gently on the crystalline waters of the North Sea.

The harbour, active since the 16th century, retains its historical charm with traditional stone warehouses and fishermen’s cottages huddled against the rocky cliffs. On calm days, you can observe local fishermen still practising traditional fishing methods, whilst waves gently lap against the ancient walls of the pier.
The wild beauty of the place is heightened by the coastal paths that branch off in both directions, offering stunning views over the rugged coastline.

Melrose Abbey

Melrose Abbey is undoubtedly the most famous of the Borders abbeys and, according to tradition, houses the heart of Robert the Bruce. Its elegant ruins display some of the finest examples of medieval architecture in Scotland, including the famous carvings such as the “Melrose Pig” playing the bagpipes.

The ruins of Melrose Abbey reflect the prestige and wealth that once flowed into this monastery, which traded wool and hides with Flanders: this opulence allowed the recruitment of a host of skilled stonemasons who transformed transepts, columns and vaults into veritable stone embroidery, of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

Parts of the abbey have been lost, such as the western façade of the church, but others have miraculously survived and showcase their full beauty to visitors, such as the pulpitum and presbytery.

The south transept is enriched with ornamental leaf and flower motifs and angels playing musical instruments. Look up at the gables from which mysterious decorative gargoyles protrude, with sinister expressions. The wealth of ornamental detail is so varied and intricate that an audio guide will certainly help you not to miss any detail.

Next to the church stands the Commendator’s House, a red sandstone structure. Also worth seeing is the Priorwood Garden, now an orchard.

The abbey’s gothic structure is particularly atmospheric at sunset, when the pink sandstone takes on golden hues that create an almost magical atmosphere.

After visiting the abbey, don’t miss the picturesque village of Melrose. The historic centre is home to antique shops and artisanal boutiques with Victorian and Georgian façades alongside traditional cafés and historic pubs. The Trimontium Museum tells the story of Roman presence in the region, while the annual Melrose Festival keeps local traditions alive with spectacular horse riding events.

Jedburgh Abbey

This majestic abbey in the Jed Water valley was witness to the endless Anglo-Scottish struggles to such an extent that the Scots themselves destroyed both abbey and castle of the royal burgh (fortified town) rather than let them fall into English hands.

The ruins of Jedburgh Abbey dominate the town from atop the rocky base on which they were built, and the red, yellow and grey sandstone changes colour with the shifting light and seasons, giving the abbey ever-changing appearances, sometimes serene and luminous, sometimes gloomy and threatening.

In the archaeological section at the entrance you can admire the Jedburgh Comb, a beautiful ivory comb carved from a walrus tusk dating from 1100 and decorated with a dragon and a griffin.

The pride of the monastic site is undoubtedly the Abbey Church, superbly preserved: as you walk down the central nave, your heart will skip a beat at the magnificent and majestic vista, a superb example of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. Truly spectacular!

Remember to climb the western façade to the gallery from where you can take beautiful photographs of the central nave from above.

Kelso Abbey

Set in the bucolic landscape of the Tweed Valley, amongst gentle hills and babbling streams, Kelso Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey that retains all the charm of the period when the Benedictines concentrated their power and influence.

Kelso was besieged by the English three times and ultimately defeated, leaving behind all the power of the devastation that is clearly visible today: indeed, war and the Reformation heavily influenced the fate of the Borders abbeys.

The ruins give visitors a splendid sight, especially thanks to the Norman church, which formed part of the complex and remained almost intact, all set within a magnificent bucolic setting of meadows and woodland.

Beyond the abbey, visit the village of Kelso, described by Sir Walter Scott as “the most beautiful market town in Scotland”. Kelso impresses with its magnificent main square and Georgian architecture. The Junction Bridge, a 19th-century suspension bridge, is a remarkable example of Victorian engineering, whilst Kelso Racecourse hosts some of Scotland’s most important equestrian events.

Dryburgh Abbey

Hidden in a bend of the Tweed lie the majestic and evocative ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, in an idyllic setting amongst tree-covered hills, verdant meadows where flocks of sheep and cattle graze, and babbling streams.

Here the greenery of nature provides a backdrop that highlights the reddish stone of which the abbey was built, which has become part of popular tradition also thanks to the stories of Walter Scott, who lies buried in one of the cloisters.

This romantic setting will enchant you despite the abbey’s dimensions being smaller than the other abbeys in the valley.

Abbotsford House

Abbotsford House, the magnificent home of Sir Walter Scott, is a masterpiece of Scottish baronial architecture. The author’s personal library contains over 9,000 rare volumes, whilst the castle’s rooms house an extraordinary collection of weapons, armour and objects belonging to historical figures such as Rob Roy and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The formal gardens, designed by Scott himself, offer splendid views of the River Tweed and represent a perfect example of a romantic Scottish garden.

Floors Castle

Floors Castle, Scotland’s largest inhabited castle and the residence of the Duke of Roxburghe, impresses visitors with its impressive collection of Flemish tapestries and rare Meissen and Sèvres porcelain. The castle’s galleries showcase works by renowned artists such as Matisse and Picasso, whilst the Victorian gardens and panoramic terrace offer breathtaking views of the Cheviot Hills.

Thirlestane Castle

Thirlestane Castle stands out for its spectacular 17th-century plasterwork and sumptuous ducal apartments. The castle also houses a unique collection of period toys that fascinates visitors of all ages. Italian-style gardens and a Victorian maze complete this extraordinary historic property.

Manderston House

Manderston House represents the pinnacle of Edwardian splendour. Its famous silver staircase, unique in the world, is just one of the elements that make this home a perfect example of the lifestyle of the aristocracy of the early 1900s. The perfectly preserved interiors and formal gardens with an art nouveau greenhouse transport visitors to an era of extraordinary luxury and refinement.