Central Borders · Town
Melrose
A handsome small town beside the Eildon Hills, centred on the ruins of Melrose Abbey.
Explore Melrose →Abbeys, hills and historic towns between England and Edinburgh
Explore a quieter part of southern Scotland filled with ruined abbeys, river valleys, market towns, coast, literary history and long-distance walking routes.
Southern Scotland at a slower paceOld abbeys, green valleys and towns with stories everywhereThe Borders are easy to pass through — and far more rewarding when you stop.
Explore the Scottish Borders
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore abbey towns, the Tweed Valley, coastal villages and countryside across the Borders.
Featured places
Where to go in the Scottish Borders
The Borders work especially well as a relaxed road trip, with historic towns and countryside close enough to combine without rushing.
Tweed Valley · Town
Peebles
A riverside town with independent shops, walking routes and easy access to the upper Tweed Valley.
Explore Peebles →Central Borders · Town
Kelso
A market town on the Tweed with abbey ruins, a broad square and Floors Castle nearby.
Explore Kelso →Southern Borders · Heritage
Jedburgh
An abbey town with medieval history and a useful stop on journeys through the southern Borders.
Explore Jedburgh →Melrose · Heritage
Abbotsford
The remarkable home of Sir Walter Scott, set beside the River Tweed near Melrose.
Explore Abbotsford →Berwickshire · Coast
St Abbs & Eyemouth
Cliffs, harbour villages and coastal walking on the eastern edge of the Borders.
Explore the Berwickshire Coast →Tweed Valley · Landscape
Glentress & the Tweed Valley
Forest trails, hills and riverside scenery close to Peebles.
Explore the Tweed Valley →Kelso · Heritage
Floors Castle
Grand architecture, gardens and parkland overlooking the Tweed near Kelso.
Explore Floors Castle →Central Borders · Town
Galashiels & Selkirk
Textile history, local museums and useful bases for exploring the central Borders.
Explore Galashiels & Selkirk →
Choose your kind of day
What are the Scottish Borders best for?
Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh & DryburghAbbeys & Heritage
Hills, forests & riverside pathsWalking & Cycling
Cliffs, harbours & sea viewsBerwickshire Coast
Scott, textiles & border storiesCulture & Local History
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
The Borders are well suited to short driving loops, with several strong stops close enough for one relaxed day.
Melrose, Abbotsford & Dryburgh
A literary and abbey route along the Tweed.
- Melrose for the town and abbey
- Abbotsford for Sir Walter Scott's home
- Dryburgh for a quieter abbey finish
Kelso, Floors Castle & Jedburgh
A strong heritage circuit through the eastern and central Borders.
- Kelso for abbey and town square
- Floors Castle for gardens and parkland
- Jedburgh for another major Border abbey
St Abbs, Eyemouth & Coldingham
A compact coast day of cliffs, harbour views and beaches.
- St Abbs for dramatic headland scenery
- Eyemouth for harbour character
- Coldingham for beach and village atmosphere
Make the journey part of the day
The Borders are ideal for unhurried road trips. Distances are manageable, but the best days leave time for small towns, riverside walks and stops that were not necessarily on the original plan.
For a dayChoose one abbey circuit, one valley or one stretch of coast.
For a weekendBase yourself near Melrose, Peebles or Kelso and explore outward.
By railThe Borders Railway gives useful access to the central Borders from Edinburgh.
By carThe most flexible option for abbeys, coast and smaller villages.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Once you have chosen a part of the Borders, the local guide will help you turn it into a complete trip.
Keep exploring
Continue north into Scotland
Edinburgh, East Lothian and the wider central belt are natural next steps, while Northumberland lies just across the border to the south.