Must visit Attractions
Edie Ochiltree's Grave, RoxburghDescription: This is the grave of Andrew Gemmels, the blue-coat gaberlunzie, who died at the age of 106, and upon whom Sir Walter Scott based his character, Edie Ochiltree in "The Antiquary". On the gravestone are the words: "Behold the end o' it – The body of the gentleman beggar ANDREW GEMMELS alias EDIE OCHILTREE was interred here who died at Roxburgh Newtown in 1793 aged 10... | |
Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect WorldDescription: An indoor tropical jungle inhabited by thousands of the world’s most beautiful butterflies. Watch them as they fly around, feeding on the tropical flowers. The bugs and beasties exhibition features a huge collection of live creepy crawlies, snakes, frogs and lizards. Some of the more friendly ones can be handled at the daily ‘meet the beasties’ sessions. Ownership: Private ... | |
Bemersyde MossDescription:A 25 hectare reserve with open water and marsh vegetation surrounded by grassland and woodland. There is a breeding colony of some 14,000 pairs of black headed gulls, and it also supports a wintering population of wigeon and greylag geese. It supports on its fringes interesting and varied wildlife. Ownership: Scottish Wildlife Trust Situation – OS ref: NT 614340 How to get ... | |
Camera Obscura and World of IllusionsDescription: Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Ownership: Private Situation – Castlehill The Royal Mile Edinburgh EH1 2ND How to get there: By car: Parking on the Royal Mile impossible. Find car park in town, and walk. By public transport: Regular public transport along the Royal Mile. Seasonal opening details (2009): All year. Opening Hours: September & October ... | |
Chain Bridge Honey Farm Visitor CentreDescription: This honey farm which was established some 30 years ago has over 1000 colonies of bees which provide the honey and beeswax used to create the range of products offered for sale. The Visitor Centre has a superb series of exhibits which describe all aspects of bee-keeping and bee-related products. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 936508 How to get there: By car... | |
Drumlanrig's Tower Visitor CentreDescription: Built as a Peel Tower House and home of the Douglas family, and later the home of Anne, Duchess of Monmouth, and still later the Tower Hotel, the premises now house exhibits showing the history of Hawick and the Tower through the ages. Ownership: Scottish Borders Council Situation – OS ref: NT 503145 How to get there: By car: Within the town of Hawick, at the west end... | |
The Gypsy Palace, Kirk YetholmDescription: The traditional home of the King of the Gypsies, the Palace is probably the last of a line of previous Palaces. There was certainly an "Old Palace" across the Kirk Yetholm Green from the last one. It has been modernised almost beyond recognition and has for some time been a self-catering holiday home. Ownership: Now a private property, not open to the public. Situati... | |
The Gypsy Memorial, Kirk YetholmDescription: Unveiled in 2003, this piece of stone from Blinkbonny Quarry, stands as a memorial to the Gypsies of Kirk Yetholm, and at the same time to Tom Tokely, a renowned local historian with a special interest in and knowledge of the Kirk Yetholm Gypsies. Situation – OS ref: NT 828282 How to get there: By car: In the village of Kirk Yetholm some 8 miles south of Kelso. The memorial... | |
Gymnasium GalleryDescription: Opened in 1993, this gallery has established itself as a leading venue for contemporary art and artists in the region. Details of current exhibitions are available from English Heritage ... | |
Harestanes Countryside Visitor CentreDescription: This centre offers events, exhibitions and countryside walks for all the family. Published programme of events for the whole year. Has the biggest and best children’s play park in the Borders. Operator: Scottish Borders Council Situation – OS ref: NT 641244 How to get there: By car: Just off the A68, near Ancrum, between St Boswells and the turn off for Hawick. By pub... | |
Edinburgh CastleDescription: Situated above the centre of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh Castle has watched over the history of Scotland for almost 1400 years. Today it offers a wide range of superb attractions for the visitor to explore. Ownership: Historic Scotland Situation – OS ref: NT 252734 How to get there: By car: At the very top of the Royal Mile. By public transport: Local bus se... | |
The Edinburgh DungeonDescription: The Edinburgh Dungeon invites you to a feast of fun with history's horrible bits. Enter the dark and terrifying labyrinth that stretches from beneath the Castle, under the Royal Mi... | |
Edinburgh ZooDescription: Now in its 9th decade, Edinburgh Zoo is one of Europe's leading zoos in conservation and education. Ownership: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Situation – OS ref: NT 205735 How to get there: By car: 3 miles from City centre along the A8, west, out of the city towards Glasgow. Next to Holiday Inn By public transport: Public transport buses Nos. 12, 26 and 31 an... | |
Glenkinchie DistilleryDescription: The home of The Edinburgh Malt. See a working distillery. Visit an exhibition of malt whisky on site Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 443668 How to get there: Near Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian. By car: Off the B6371 road which runs between the A6093 and the A6137. Easiest route is off the A68, south of Edinburgh, between Dalkeith and Pathhead. Turn left... | |
Hawick Cashmere Visitor CentreDescription: Visitor Centre offering a viewing gallery to watch the frames at work. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: 506151 How to get there: By car: In town of Hawick – Trinity Mills, Duke Street. Behind Safeway Supermarket. By public transport: Regular bus services from all the Border towns, Edinburgh and Carlisle. Seasonal opening details (2009): All year Opening H... | |
Heatherslaw Light RailwayDescription: A 15” gauge railway which runs from Heatherslaw Mill to Etal Village. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 933384 How to get there: By car: Lies on the B6354 between Ford and Etal Villages. By public transport: Local bus service. Seasonal opening details (2009): 30th March - 30th October 2009 Opening Hours: Train times: 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. Extra ... | |
Heatherslaw MillDescription: A working water mill, where locally grown wheat is ground to make a stoneground wholemeal flour. A miller is on hand to demonstrate and explain the process. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 933384 How to get there: By car:Off the B6354 Ford to Etal road. By public transport: Local bus service. Seasonal opening details (2009): 16th March to 28th October ... | |
The Hirsel Country ParkDescription: The grounds of The Hirsel, home to the Home family, are of interest to all country lovers throughout the year. From the spring bulbs to the rhododendrons in June and on to the autumn colours, the walks are a delight for all. Migrating birds flock to the estate and to the lake in particular. Please note that the House is NOT open to the public. Ownership: Private Situatio... | |
Hugh MacDiarmid Memorial, LangholmDescription: This memorial, in the form of an open book, stands on a hill above Langholm, and was created by Jake Harvey R.S.A in the early 1980's from corten steel and bronze. Jake Harvey Ownership: Situation – OS ref: NT 382857 How to get there: By car: From the A7 just North of Langholm, turn left along the minor road to Newcastleton. About 2 miles. Signposted. By public... | |
Jedforest Deer and Farm ParkDescription: Modern working farm plus deer herds and rare breeds. Ranger led activities, and talks on farming and environment. Nature trail. Hands-on interpretation barn. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: 672133 How to get there: By car: Located just off the A68, some 5 miles south of Jedburgh. Signposted. By public transport: Bus service from Jedburgh to Newcastle passe... | |
John Muir's BirthplaceDescription: A visitor attraction and interpretative centre highlighting the work and achievements of John Muir, environmentalist, biologist and geologist. Ownership: John Muir Birthplace Trust ... | |
Kielder Water & Forest ParkDescription: Europe's largest man-made lake in a beautiful forest setting. Offers a wide range of land and water-based activities. Ownership: Situation – OS ref: How to get there: By car: Signposted off the A68 south of Jedburgh along the B6320. By public transport: Bus service available – timetable on Kielder website (link below) Seasonal opening details: February to D... | |
Lady Waterford Hall, FordDescription: Lady Waterford Hall, formerly the village school contains a unique collection of watercolour murals, depicting biblical scenes, using local people as models. Painted between 1862 and 1883 by Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 949375 How to get there: In the village of Ford. By car: lies on the B6353 road, which joins the B... | |
Leyden Monument, DenholmDescription: Standing on Denholm Green is the monument to Dr John Leyden, scholar and poet, who was born in Denholm in 1775. He was a very highly talented scholar who assisted Sir Walter Scott with his collection of the material for his "Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders". Later, Leyden went overseas and, with Sir Stamford Raffles and Lord Minto was instrumental in the founding of Sin... | |
Lindisfarne Heritage CentreDescription: The Lindisfarne Heritage Centre is the base for information on the Lindisfarne Gospels. An interactive program allows you to turn the pages of the 'virtual' Gospel, and, newly arrived, is a limited edition facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels donated by the British Library, along with an accompanying exhibition. Ownership: Owned and managed by the people of the Holy Isla... | |
Lochcarron Cashmere Visitor CentreLochcarron Cashmere Visitor Centre Description: Formerly in Galashiels, the Lochcarron Cashmere Visitor Centre are weavers of the world's largest range of pure wool tartans. Ownership: Private Situation Waverly Mill Dunsdale Road Selkirk – OS ref: NT 475293 How to get there: By car: It can be reached by road by travelling north on the A7 from the direction of Carlisle a... | |
Robert Smail's Printing WorksDescription: A completely restored printing works - just as it was a hundred years ago. See the office, the paper store with reconstructed water-wheel, the composing and press rooms and watch a printer at work. You can also try typesetting by hand as it used to be done! Orders taken for printing and stationery. Ownership: National Trust for Scotland Situation – OS ref: NT 333367 H... | |
Royal Yacht BritanniaDescription: The former Royal Yacht, decommissioned and converted into a superb Visitor Attraction. Exhibits, photographs and artefacts from The Royal Collection. Ownership: Royal Yacht Britan... | |
St Abb's Head National Nature ReserveDescription: Formed by an extinct volcano, St Abb’s Head is the best known landmark along the Berwickshire coast. Home to thousands of nesting seabirds in summer, it is also home to a wide range of other wildlife. A new remote camera facility allows visitors to the Nature Reserve Centre to eavesdrop on the nesting birds. Ownership: National Trust for Scotland Situation – OS ref: NT 914... | |
St Ronans Well Visitor Centre, InnerleithenDescription: Historic spa, built in the year 1827, which was a magnet for the Victorians in need of the curative waters. The mineral waters had been well-known for many years – they were visited by Robert Burns in 1787. Ownership: Scottish Borders Council Situation – OS ref: NT 328373 How to get there: In Wells Brae, Innerleithen By car: Innerleithen lies on the A72, Galashiels to Pe... | |
The Scott Monument, EdinburghDescription: This 200 foot high monument in the centre of Edinburgh was officially inaugurated on 15th August 1846, some 14 years after the death of Sir Walter Scott. Open to the public, its pinnacle is reached after a climb of 287 steps. His statue, carved by Sir John Steell in carrara marble is twice life size. The monument was closed for refurbishment and cleaning in 1998, but is now fully r... | |
The Scottish ParliamentDescription: The new building at Hoyrood which is the home of the Scottish Parliament. Ownership: Situation – OS ref: How to get there: By car: Limited parking in the area – nearest ca... | |
Scottish Seabird Centre, North BerwickDescription: Find out about the seabirds of the Firth of Forth and watch the nesting birds with the camera links to the Bass Rock, Isle of May and Fidra. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: ... | |
Wright's of Trowmill - Factory VisitDescription: A working weaving mill where visitors can watch the processes involved in cloth manufacture. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 529166 How to get there: By car: On the Hawick to Jedburgh road, about two and a half miles outside Hawick. Next to caravan park. Signposted. By public transport: Jedburgh to Hawick bus service passes the road end. Seasonal openin... | |
Tweed Valley Forest Park - Glentress ForestDescription: An outdoor centre for those interested in walking, mountain biking, horse riding and just enjoying the countryside. The viewpoints will leave one breathless. Ownership: Forestry Commission Situation – OS ref: NT284396 How to get there: By car: Off the A72, Peebles to Galashiels road, some 3 miles East of Peebles. By public transport: Regular public transport pass... | |
Tweed Valley Osprey ProjectDescription: This gives the opportunity to watch live TV coverage of the return of the osprey to the Scottish Borders. The pictures are beamed to two visitor centres - at Glentress Forest Visitor Centre and Kailzie Gardens Visitor Centre. Ownership: Forestry Commission Scotland Situation – OS ref: Glentress – NT 284398 – OS ref: Kailzie Gardens – NT 281385 How to get there: By c... | |
The Wallace StatueDescription: This giant statue of Sir William Wallace, hero of many years of battling with the neighbouring English in the 13th century, stands in the grounds of Bemersyde House. Like most memorials in the area it was commissioned by David Stuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan. This huge statue of the ‘Guardian of Scotland’ stands 31 feet high in total, with the actual statue being 21½ feet high.... | |
Eyemouth Harbour & Fish MarketDescription: One of the few East Coast harbours which is still fully working. Picturesque, with its new fish market where auctions are still carried out. Viewing area. Visiting yachts and pleasure craft are afforded a warm welcome with secure berthing and modern facilities. Ownership: Situation – OS ref: NT 948645 How to get there: By car: Within Eyemouth town. By public transpo... | |
Eyemouth Maritime CentreDescription: Newly opened museum/exhibition telling the story of mankind afloat. Films and slide shows in what was the old fishmarket, now being redeveloped in the form of a 18th century frigate. A... | |
The Fenton CentreDescription: A combination of Visitor Centre, Nature Walks, Birds of Prey and fun for all the family. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 969337 How to get there: By car: Just ... | |
The Battle of Flodden Field MemorialDescription: The memorial stone stands on the site of the Battle of Flodden, above Branxton near Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland. Ownership: Situation – OS ref: NT 890370 How to get there: By car: Off the A697, some 3 miles south of Cornhill on Tweed. Turn off at the Bluebell Inn and follow the road through the village of Branxton. Signposted. By public transport: N/A Season... | |
Mungo Park Statue, SelkirkDescription: This monument remembers the life and works of Mungo Park, the doctor and explorer who was born in 1771 at Foulshiels, 4 miles from Selkirk. Spending much of his life in Africa, he explored the River Niger, dying there in 1806. This intricate sculpted column was erected in 1859, outside what were at the time the Municipal Buildings, and had been the surgeon’s house where he did his a... | |
New Lanark World Heritage VillageDescription: Newly opened, this is New Lanark World Heritage Site, with its range of buildings from the 1820's, now acting as the best in living industrial archaeology. See Robert Owen, the indus... | |
Peter Scott & Co LtdDescription: Famous knitwear manufacturer, providing regular factory tours with an on-site factory store, selling the highest quality knitwear at reasonable prices. Ownership: Private Situation – OS ref: NT 502147 How to get there: By car: In town of Hawick. – Buccleuch Street. By public transport: Regular bus services from all Border towns and Edinburgh and Carlisle. Seas... |