Scottish Borders
Situated on the border lands between Scotland and England, the Scottish Borders is a gateway to the rest of the country where you will find a host of friendly towns and villages. From heather-clad moors to rich agricultural plains and the rugged and beautiful coastline, explore on foot, by bike, or take a scenic drive to see what you can discover.
Castles, abbeys, stately homes and museums illustrate the exciting and often bloody history of the region. Melrose Abbey is thought to be the burial place for Robert the Bruce’s heart and here you can see a grand ruin with ornate masonry. Three further abbeys can be visited at Jedburgh, Kelso and Dryburgh.
The Scottish Borders textile industry stretches as far back as the 13th century and today its quality tweed, wool, tartan and cashmere can be seen in designer collections across the world. As 2012 is the Year of Creative Scotland, why not visit the beautiful 16th century Borders Textile Towerhouse in the heart of Hawick to discover how textiles have been used by iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Vivienne Westwood?
Local festivals also abound in the Borders and you can see more of the unique culture at the Common Ridings that take place every summer between June and August - riding festivals steeped in history and tradition which attract people from around the world.
