Touring
There are plenty of places to visit in the Scottish Borders, and if touring around and seeing them is your aim, then Caddon View makes a wonderful place to base yourself.
St Mary's Loch and the Upper Tweed:
To get a flavour of the region a drive to St. Mary’s Loch, perhaps taking in Traquair House on the way makes a great start. You can then return via Talla and Megget reservoirs, through mountain scenery where you would struggle to meet another soul. Take in the Botanic Gardens at Dawyck on your return via Peebles. We regularly have residents of Edinburgh who, having completed this tour, return and exclaim that ‘I never knew such beautiful scenery was on my doorstep’.
You can extend this trip by continuing to Moffat taking in the waterfall at Grey Mare’s Tale, and return via the Devil’s Beef Tub, where Border reivers once hid their looted cattle!
Historic Borders
The area has seen more than it’s fair share of ‘action’ in past times, and no trip to the area would be complete without seeing some of the sites. One itinerary takes in Roman Melrose, Dryburgh Abbey, Ford Castle and Flodden Battlefield, but to be honest there is so much to see and do that you almost can’t help stumbling over relics of our past wherever you go.
Other places: Jedburgh Abbey, Kelso Abbey, Hermitage Castle, Robert Smails Print Works, Jedburgh Castle and Jail, St Ronan’s Wells, Smailholm Tower and Rosslyn Chapel.
Houses and Gardens
Starting at the local Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house, it’s possible to pick a route across the Borders that spans architectural styles and time. Abbotsford House, Thirlstane and Floors Castle are half days in themselves, and the gardens there mean that a day trip can very easily develop into a long, lazy, interesting and educational meander. Kailzie Gardens are beautiful to visit and a very short drive away.
Also visit: Mellerstain House, Paxton House, Harestanes Visitors Centre, Manderston House, Bowhill House and Country Estate, The Hirsel Estate and Little Sparta Gardens.