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10 Underrated Activities at the Scottish Borders That You NEED to Check Out Today!
- Admire the architectural design of Melrose Abbey
- Visit the Dryburgh Abbey
- Hike at the Eildon Hills
- Explore Abbotsford
- Ride your bike at Innerleithen
- Go canoeing at Tweed Valley River
- Enjoy the sights and smells at the Dawyck Botanic Garden
- Make gin at Peebles Hydro
- Zipline at Glentress Forest
- Feed animals at Jackson’s at Jedburgh
If you and your mates are looking for something fun to do this weekend aside from throwing the breeze at your local pub or club, then we highly suggest you check out the sights in the Scottish Borders.
My friends and I went on a trip there recently and had a wonderful time! During our visit, we realised that a lot of these places are underrated spots people should know about, so we made this list!
Whether you’re a photographer, an avid history fan, a family looking for fun weekend activities, or someone on the lookout for scenic views, there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy on our list below! Read on!
Admire the architectural design of Melrose Abbey
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Website
Address: Melrose Abbey, Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire
Contact Details: +44 01896 822 562
Operating Hours:
- 01 April to 30 September – Daily, 09:30 AM to 04:30 PM
- 01 October to 31 March – Daily, 10:00 AM to 03:30 PM
If you’re an architecture or history fan, you shouldn’t miss a trip to Melrose Abbey. It’s a beautiful, show-stopping ruin that will make you realize why Robert the Bruce chose it as a final place to rest his heart.
The architecture is amazing, demonstrating what Britain’s church architecture looked like in the 1300s. When you see this place, it’s like stepping back into that time. Check out the map of the place here.
As someone who loves history, I enjoyed the guided audio tour that walked me through the different sections of the abbey and also loved seeing old medieval objects on display. So if that sounds like you, you should include this in your bucket list.
Pro Tip:
The time to visit is 2:30-3:30 PM, Tuesdays to Saturdays if you want to learn more about the connection of Melrose Abbey to significant people and events in history. You can reserve your tickets here.
Visit the Dryburgh Abbey
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Address: Dryburgh, St Boswells, Melrose
Contact Details: +44 1835 822381
Operating Hours: Daily 9:30 AM-5:00 PM
Speaking of ruins, another location you should visit in the Scottish Borders is Dryburgh Abbey. It’s a good example of Gothic architecture, with its pointed arches and elaborate ornamentation.
It’s situated in this gorgeous countryside, with a view that will relax you. The Chapter House is also well-known for its fantastic acoustics. It’s worth a visit.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to use the bathroom before coming here, as the nearest toilets are about 4 miles away. They’re located at Main Street, St. Boswells, and the St. Boswells bus stop.
Hike at the Eildon Hills
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If you’re someone who loves a hike with a fantastic view, you can’t go wrong with Eldon Hills. It’s an 8-kilometre hike with an elevation of around 470 meters. This means that it can be a moderately challenging trail.
I’m telling you, my friends who weren’t ever huge fans of hiking enjoyed the experience so much because of the beautiful view. They say that its grandeur inspired a lot of Sir Walter Scott’s famous pieces.
Pro Tips:
Wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes because rain causes the Eildon Hills trail to be slippery. Also, bring plenty of water and high-calorie snacks for quick bursts of energy, since there aren’t any nearby food establishments.
Explore Abbotsford
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Website
Address: Abbotsford, Melrose, Roxburghshire
Contact Details: +44 01896 752043
Operating Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Speaking of Sir Walter Scott, it also pays to go for a visit to Abbotsford, which is his old home. The rooms were retained just as the 19th-century writer had kept them when he was still alive.
They also offer an audio-guided tour, which provides more insight into the place and the history that unfolded within those walls.
Aside from the house itself, you can also visit the Abbotsford Estate for free. There are riverside and woodland walks here. This landscape was also created by Sir Walter Scott.
Aside from beautiful landscapes, you can also visit the Regency Gardens, which is fairytale-like. I almost expected a princess to come out from a corner.
Pro Tip:
If you’re a big group, we also suggest you check out their group packages. This will significantly lower the admission rates, give you complimentary services, and allow flexible payment options.
Ride your bike at Innerleithen
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Website
Address: Innerleithen, EH44 6PW
Contact Details: +44 0300 067 6900
If you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping activities, you can also go mountain biking in Innerleithen. This area is really known for its mountain biking trails, and it’s not hard to see why. There are different trails for different levels, and the views are awesome.
You can also rent a bike for £75 for the day. This is what most of my friends did, and they said that it allowed them to enjoy themselves without having to worry about the logistics of bringing their bikes.
To go there prepared, make sure to also look through their list of trails, which is a handy guide that has maps, difficulty levels, and other reminders.
Pro Tip:
If you’re tired or don’t want to exert so much effort riding uphill, you can ride the Adrenalin Uplift, which can take you to the top, and you can have fun going down.
Go canoeing at Tweed Valley River
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Website
Address: Easter Dawyck Farm, Stobo, Peebles, EH45 8NU
Contact Details: +44 01721 540546
Canoeing in the Tweed Valley River is a wonderful experience that people should try at least once in their lives. It’s best to go here between April and September to avoid the peak fishing season around October and November.
The trail starts at Stobo and ends at Abbotsford. There are wooden waymarkers along the canoe trail that help you see where to get in or out of the canoe.
They have guides available that you can hire for around £212 for a two-day canoe trail and around £318 for a three-day one.
Pro Tip:
If you have limited time, don’t worry! You can just handpick sections of the trail you want.
Enjoy the sights and smells at the Dawyck Botanic Garden
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Website
Address: Stobo, near Peebles, Scottish Borders EH45 9JU
Contact Details: +44 01721760254
Operating Hours:
- March to October – Daily, 10:00 AM to 04:15 PM (closes at 05:00 PM)
- February to November – Daily, 10:00 AM to 03:15 PM (closes at 04:00 PM)
I used to think botanical gardens were places only old people visit—but I was wrong. Going to the Dawyck Botanic Garden is a feast for the senses! The colours are vibrant, and the smell of the flowers is magnetic.
You’ll see plants and flowers from all over the globe, aside from the ones we usually see here in Scotland. Some of them are from Nepal, China, and even Chile, so the variety is impressive!
Pro Tip:
From March to October, there are usually free guided walks starting at 2 PM, so make sure to pre-book and contact them about this.
Make gin at Peebles Hydro
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Website
Address: Peebles Hydro Hotel, Innerleithen Rd, Peebles
Contact Details: +44 01764651846; [email protected]
Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM
So creating my bespoke gin wasn’t in my bingo card this year, but I was pleasantly surprised. Peebles Hydro Gin Distillery and School welcomes you with a complimentary gin and tonic and takes you on a fun tour around the distillery.
Then, they’d walk you through the process of making your 70cl gin that you can take home. They can even take note of your recipe so they can recreate it for future occasions.
You learn a new skill and get to bring the gin home? A win in my book.
Pro Tip:
Booking this experience gives you a 10% discount at their gin shop!
Zipline at Glentress Forest
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Website
Address: Falla Brae Car Park Glentress Forest, Peebles
Contact Details: +44 01603895500; [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM to 04:30 PM
- Sunday 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM
If you’re feeling adventurous and outdoorsy, you can book the Treetop Challenge activity and the Zipline experience at Glentress Forest. The forest is the perfect backdrop for these exciting activities.
Their zipline is the longest in the country, so it’s worth a try. Admittedly, I did this on a dare, but actually enjoyed it.
The Treetop Challenge took around 2-3 hours, and I think it’s a good family activity if you have older kids. Pre-booking is important as slots fill up fast.
Pro Tip:
Bring gloves and wear sturdy footwear got a seamless experience. No flip flops, sandals, or heels, and wear clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty.
Feed animals at Jackson’s at Jedburgh
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Website
Address: Jacksons at Jedburgh, Kersheugh, TD86QT
Operating Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
If you’ve been needing a break away from your usual routine, consider going to Jackson’s at Jedburgh for a nice, simple farm experience. You’ll experience self-guided walking safaris to see cows. You can also opt for a trailer-ride tour.
You’ll be given a small bag of food so you can experience feeding the animals. This is perfect for kids and kids at heart.
Pro Tip:
Make plans if you have a furry pal with you, as pets aren’t allowed on the farm aside from dogs providing medical assistance.
And there you have it, our list of underrated and exciting places to visit in the Scottish Borders. If you need more info on group activities, read the following:
