things to do
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Hirsel Golf Club Coldstream Berwickshire TD12 4NJ
Website: http://hirselgc.co.uk/
Telephone: 01890 882678
The Hirsel Golf Club is arguably one of Scotland's best kept secrets and indeed has only recently been featured in Golf Monthly's Top 100 Hidden Gems of UK & Ireland!
Nestling on the beautiful and historic Scottish Borders on the outskirts of Coldstream, home of the Coldstream Guards, Hirsel Golf Club offers one of the finest examples of traditional parkland golf in Scotland, The Home of Golf.
Set in rolling woodland with thick shrubbery, fierce rough, water and other hazards in abundance.
Special concessionary rates if you mention Tweedbeats when booking.
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Traquair House
Website: http://www.traquair.co.uk/
Telephone: 01896 830323
Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost.
Visitors are invited to enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, 1745 Cottage Restaurant and the famous Traquair House Brewery housed in the eighteenth century wing and producing the world famous Traquair House Ales
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Bowhill House
Website: http://www.bowhillhouse.co.uk/
Telephone: 01750 22204
Bowhill - This majestic House and its Estate have been the centre of life in this rural oasis for more than 200 years. Bowhill enjoys a regal seat in the heart of the ancient royal hunting forest of Ettrick and is blessed with an abundance of glorious scenery.
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Abbotsford House
Website: http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/
Telephone: +44 (0)1896 752043
Abbotsford, once the home of Sir Walter Scott, has a Visitor Centre, restaurant, play trail and estate paths which are open seven days a week all year round and are free to access. Abbotsford as seen today was built in three phases: the first from 1817 to 1819; the second from 1822 to 1825; the third in the 1850s, about twenty years after Scott’s death.
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Melrose Abbey
Website: http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/melrose-abbey/
Telephone: 01896 822562
Melrose Abbey Discover a place so beloved by Robert the Bruce, he chose it as the final resting place for his heart. Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale, and it was a highly desirable place to be buried.
David I founded Scotland’s first Cistercian monastery in 1136. Being so close to the border, Melrose Abbey suffered at English hands during the Middle Ages. Rebuilt in the 1380s, it was used as an abbey until the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Afterwards, the existing monks were allowed to stay on: the last died in 1590.
Other suggested Historic Scotland properties include Dryburgh, Jedburgh and Kelso. Smailholm Tower, Fodden Old Tithe Barn, Edin’s Hall Broch, Edrom Norman Arch, Greenknowe Tower and Hermitage Castle are also place of historic interest. https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/search-results?r=128
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Mertoun Gardens St Boswells TD6 0EA
Website: http://www.mertoungardens.co.uk/
Telephone: 01835 823236
It is possible that at least part of the gardens existed prior to 1703 when the house was built, since the former mansion house, known as Old Mertoun House - now the head gardener’s house in the walled garden - dates from 1677 and nearby is a well preserved, circular dovecot dated 1567, thought to be the oldest in the county.
There are borders of herbaceous plants, shrub roses and azaleas and an arboretum, established over the last 40 years, with a great variety of both conifers and hardwoods. Paths and grass walks provide access to all parts of the garden and its surrounding woodland, as well as forming several most attractive circular walks, with views over the River. To the north is the Walled Garden of about three acres, in which is situated Old Mertoun House, 1677. On a south-facing slope, it contains a great variety of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers and is immaculately maintained.
Open 1st April to 30th September, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 2pm to 6pm, or by appointment. Last entry 5.30pm.
Mertoun Gardens can be found by the B6404, 2 miles north-east of St Boswells.
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Mellerstain House
Website: http://www.mellerstain.com/
Telephone: 01573 410225
Mellerstain, one of Scotland’s great Georgian houses was begun in 1725 by Scottish architect William Adam and completed in 1778 by his more famous son, Robert. The result is an outstanding example of 18th century Scottish architecture, and some say one of Robert Adam’s finest works.
The house stands in beautiful parkland and gardens with a playground,coffee shop and holiday cottages. A must-see is the Italian-styled terraced garden (laid out in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfied), designed to offer new perspectives as you descend to the rose gardens, great lawn and ornamental lake. The woodland includes many unusual trees.
Mellerstain is approx 20 mins from Melrose & Kelso/1 hour from Edinburgh & Berwick-upon-Tweed
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Thirlestane Castle
Website: http://www.thirlestanecastle.co.uk/
Telephone: 01578 722430
Thirlestane Castle is a magnificent 16th Century Castle set in a quiet meadow landscape. The family home of the Duke of Lauderdale, Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest castles in Scotland. It still remains a family home to the Maitland family today. During the summer months Thirlestane is open to the day visitor and for group tours.
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Monteviot
Website: http://www.monteviot.com/
Telephone: 01835 830380
The Kerr family acquired the lands in the sixteenth century; the Kerrs themselves are an old Borders family, recorded in the Lowlands from the 12th century. Monteviot itself is an ancient site, and Dere Street, the Roman road from York to Newstead at Melrose (Trimontium), runs through the park. The present house of Monteviot began as an early-eighteenth century lodge built by the 1st Marquis of Lothian. In the nineteenth century Monteviot, was greatly admired and was developed into the principal seat of the Marquises of Lothian.
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Floors Castle
Website: http://www.floorscastle.com/
Telephone: 01573 223333
Home to The 10th Duke of Roxburghe and his family
Floors Castle is not only a Duke's family home, but also the heart of the diverse Roxburghe Estates in a beautiful part of the Scottish Borders.
Just over an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Newcastle, visit this stunning Castle and see for yourself the collection of fine art, porcelain, newly restored tapestries, grand rooms and superb views. There are woodland and riverside walks, formal and informal gardens and lots of lovely places to sit and watch the world go by.
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Paxton House
Website: http://paxtonhouse.co.uk/
Telephone: 01289 386291
Paxton House is an 18th-century Palladian stately home with original interiors, Chippendale furniture and a tearoom, a few miles south-west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, overlooking the River Tweed.
The impressive Picture Gallery displays over seventy Scottish related paintings dating from the 18th century to 1960 lent by our partner The National Galleries of Scotland including work by Sir David Wilkie, Sir John Everett Millias, William McTaggart, the Scottish colourists, and Anne Redpath.
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St Abbs Head
Website: http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/St-Abbs-Head-National-Nature-Reserve/
Telephone: 01890 771443
Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, the craggy landscape of St Abb’s Head on the Berwickshire coast is a National Nature Reserve famous for its clamouring seabirds, rugged coastline, rich grasslands and crystal-clear waters.
A veritable ‘seabird city’, St Abb’s Head is a year-round haven for birdwatchers, walkers and wildlife lovers.
The dramatic cliffs provide spectacular vantage points from which to watch thousands of nesting seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills.
Among the rugged cliffs and offshore rock stacks, some of which stand 90 metres tall, you may feel suspended in serene isolation, but in fact this wilderness is just four miles away from the A1.
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Gunsgreen House
Website: http://www.gunsgreenhouse.org/
Telephone: 01890 752062
Gunsgreen House was built back in 1753 by local smuggler John Nisbet, and of a John Adam design.
The architecture includes secret hiding places where smuggled goods were kept.
Visit Gunsgreen House and see the amazing ‘tea chute’- the only one of its kind, where smuggled tea was hidden from prying eyes.
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Manderston
Website: http://www.manderston.co.uk/
Telephone: 01361 883450
Manderston is the supreme country house of Edwardian Scotland; the swan-song of its era. A house on which no expense was spared with opulent staterooms, the only silver-staircase in the world and extensive "downstairs" domestic quarters. It stands in 56 acres of formal gardens, with magnificent stables and stunning marble dairy. John Kinross the architect, when enquiring how large his budget was, was told that money was no object. It was built for Sir James Miller who married the Honourable Eveline Curzon, daughter of Lord Scarsdale, head of one of the oldest families in the country. The House and Gardens are open to the public, and all enquiries are most welcome.
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Ford and Etal Estate
Website: http://www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/
Telephone: 01890 820338
Centred on the two villages of Ford & Etal which lie in the valley of the River Till, between the Scottish Border and the Cheviot Hills and just a few miles inland from Holy Island and Bamburghe.
Explore the corn mill, walk the Flodden battlefield, viewing the stunning pre-Raphaelite paintings in Ford, riding on the steam railway, enjoying home baking in one of the tearooms, or explorie the more hidden corners of this estate.
There are many heritage sites to explore, from Duddo Standing Stones to Ford Moss Colliery and art lovers should not miss a trip to the pre-Raphaelite murals at the Lady Waterford Hall.
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Cragside
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside
Telephone: 01669 620333
Extraordinary Victorian house, gardens and woodland - the wonder of its age. Enter the world of Lord Armstrong - Victorian inventor, innovator and landscape genius.
Discover the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. It is crammed full of ingenious gadgets – most of them still working. The gardens are incredible. One of the largest rock gardens in Europe leads down to the Iron Bridge, which in turn leads to the formal garden.
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Farne Islands
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands
Telephone: 0344 800 1895
Rocky islands, habitat for seals and many species of seabird. The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 37,000 pairs of puffin. It is also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,000 pups born every autumn.
Historically, the islands have strong links with Celtic Christianity and St Cuthbert, who lived here in the 7th Century. There's also a medieval pele tower and Victorian lighthouse here, plus a visitor centre and easy access boardwalk. Many of the islands hide underwater at high tide. Visitors pass lots of these inaccessible islets on boat trips - a short journey to a different world!
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The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Website: http://www.lindisfarne.org.uk
Telephone: N/A
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England. It is also known just as Holy Island. It constitutes the civil parish of Holy Island in Northumberland. Holy Island has a recorded history from the 6th century AD. It was an important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan of Lindisfarne, Cuthbert, Eadfrith of Lindisfarne and Eadberht of Lindisfarne. After the Viking invasions and the Norman conquest of England, a priory was reestablished. A small castle was built on the island in 1550.
Lindisfarne Priory - the extensive ruins visible today are dominated by the 12th-century priory church, which probably stands on the same spot as its Anglo-Saxon predecessor. The associated monastic buildings were modified in the later Middle Ages in response to the changing needs and numbers of the monks.
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Macdonald Cardrona Golf Course
Website: http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-cardrona-hotel-golf-spa/golf/
Telephone: 0344 879 9024
Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf & Spa is just 40 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre. Our championship golf course rests in a very unique setting amongst the beautiful Borders Hills, skirted by the famous River Tweed.
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Peebles Golf Club
Website: http://www.peeblesgolfclub.com/
Telephone: 01721 720197
Peebles Golf Course is set amid the beautiful rolling hills of the Scottish Borders overlooking the town of popular Peebles, the 6,138-yard golf course presents an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities, affording great views from every hole, excellent greens and well conditioned fairways.
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Innerleithen Golf Club
Website: http://www.innerleithengolf.co.uk/
Telephone: 01896 830951
Established in 1886 and designed by 3 times Open champion Willie Park Jnr, lnnerleithen golf course is a 9 hole course located in the Scottish Borders, 32 miles south of Edinburgh and 6 miles from Peebles.
This attractive course set in one of three valleys enjoys magnificent surroundings. The Leithen Valley and its river form an integral part of the course and requires some accurate and thoughtful shot making in order to score well.
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Hawick Golf Club
Website: http://www.hawickgolfclub.com/
Telephone: 01450 372293
Hawick Golf Club, the oldest golf club in the Borders, has been in existence since 1877.
Located on the picturesque Vertish Hill on the outskirts of Hawick, this old and well established golf club, lies in the beautiful borders of Scotland, with it’s rolling heather clad hills, and the Rivers Tweed, and Teviot, running through wooded valleys to the sea, along with centuries of history, castles, abbeys, and watchtowers.
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Torwoodlee Golf Club
Website: http://www.torwoodleegolfclub.co.uk/
Telephone: 01896 752260
Torwoodlee Golf Club welcomes visitors from around the world to sample our majestic course and experience the warmest of Scottish Borders hospitality. The 18 hole course is a stunning picturesque rolling parkland paradise just outside Galashiels in the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside.The course is set in a valley amongst mature trees , flanked by the River Gala and is divided by the new Borders Railway line. Players are rewarded during their round with majestic scenery and are surrounded by amazing wildlife.
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Minto Golf Club
Website: http://www.mintogolf.co.uk/
Telephone: 01450 870220
Minto is a gem of a parkland course set within the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Borders. Minto is located close to the village of Denholm and is less than 15 miles from each of the attractive border towns of Melrose, Jedburgh and Hawick. Edinburgh is only 50 miles away. You can combine golf at Minto with a visit to Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, as well as to the many Border Abbeys. The Borders provide fantastic walking country and an excellent starting point for a golfing holiday in Scotland.
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Jedburgh Golf Club
Website: http://www.jedburghgolfclub.co.uk/
Telephone: 01835 863587
Jedburgh Golf Club is set in the heart of the Scottish Borders amidst outstanding scenery with breathtaking views across the Cheviot hills.
Since it was extended from 9 to 18 holes in 2006, the course has matured nicely and offers an abundance of natural beauty - a good challenge to every golfer.
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Melrose Golf Club
Website: http://melrosegolfcourse.co.uk/
Telephone: 01896 822855
Situated in the historic town of Melrose in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Melrose Golf Club is a beautiful 9-hole golf course nestled at the foot of the Eildon Hills with scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
Established in 1880, the par-70 course has developed into a popular golf course with both members and visitors. Our tree-lined fairways, totalling 5,545 yards, offer a challenge for all golfing abilities.
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St Boswells Golf Course
Website: http://www.stboswellsgolfclub.co.uk/
Telephone: 01835 823527
The golf course at St Boswells is idyllically set on the south bank of the River Tweed, adjoining a site of scientific importance, this nine hole course enjoys an environment which enables the golfer to absorb a relaxed playing atmosphere which adds to the whole golfing experience. Between shots it is possible to watch anglers landing their catch or the horses on the opposite bank drinking from the river. Wildlife is ever present and the backdrop of sounds and movement just adds to a stress free round.
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The Roxburghe Championship Golf Course
Website: https://schlosshotel-roxburghe.com/en/golf
Telephone: 01573 450333
Designed by Dave Thomas, the internationally renowned golf course architect, the Roxburghe is an outstanding championship course set in 200 acres of rolling parkland on the banks of the river Teviot. The free-draining and picturesque course provides an enjoyable test of golf designed to suit all standards of golfer. Dave Thomas has created a wonderful mix of holes using the natural contours of the landscape, the mature woodland edge and the scenic views. The signature par 5 hole ‘the Viaduct’, flanked by the river Teviot commands a wonderful position from the elevated tee with the green framed by the famous Roxburgh Viaduct.
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Kelso Golf Club
Website: http://www.kelsogolfclub.co.uk/
Telephone: 01573 223009
An 18 hole, par 71 course is set in the beautiful Scottish Borders. The course is generally flat, allowing for easy walking and is set partially within Kelso Racecourse. The course is maintained to a high level and sets a suitable challenge to every standard of player.
It is attractive parkland course which is well known locally for the quality of its turf, especially our greens.
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Duns Golf Course
Website: http://www.dunsgolfclub.com/
Telephone: 01361 882194
Duns is a widely acclaimed golf course, matured over decades and designed sympathetically to blend in with the spectacular rolling landscape of the Scottish Borders. Offering 18 glorious holes, this is a true golfers' course – naturally beautiful and a pleasure to play. Its gentle contours, cultured fairways and true greens make it one of southern Scotland's outstanding golf destinations.
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Putton Mill Driving Range
Website: http://www.puttonmill.co.uk/driving-range/
Telephone: 01361 884433
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside while you perfect your golf game at Putton Mill Golf Driving Range, featuring:
8 covered bays
Teaching bay
Practice bunker
300 yard range
Top quality mats and balls
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Goswick Golf Club
Website: http://www.goswicklinksgc.co.uk/
Telephone: 01289 387 256
Goswick, a championship golf course in every sense of the word, is situated six miles south of the beautiful and historic town of Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, on the east side of the A1, and an hour from Newcastle and Edinburgh.
This Northumberland golf course measures a mean 6,803 yards from the medal tees, is rarely affected by the weather, and is playable all year round from dedicated tees to full greens.
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The John Buchan Way
Website: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/the-john-buchan-way-p1421431
Telephone: N/A
The John Buchan Way starts from Bank House in Peebles and Broughton. Along this 13 mile route, you can follow the tracks through the countryside, taking in the breathtaking scenery and surrounding views.
The route was named after John Buchan who was a well known literary figure and diplomat (1875-1940).
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Glentress Forest
Website: https://you-well.co.uk/glentress-forest/
Telephone: +44 (0300) 067 6900
Glentress is the 7stanes flagship trail centre offering a range of trails to suits everyone from beginners to pros. Glentress Peel cafe offers top quality local produce and our bike shop offers friendly, expert advice on bike hire, sales and repairs.
For alternative Cycle routes see http://cyclescottishborders.com/
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Scott's View
Website: https://www.aboutbritain.com/SouthernScotland.htm
Telephone: +44 1835 823344
Scott's View is a viewpoint in the Scottish Borders, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, which is reputed to be one of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott and can be accessed by car from the B6404 on the road from St Boswells to Kelso and then turning off towards Dryburgh Abbey.
You will be able to come to the viewpoint from Melrose and St Boswells to admire the stunning view of the River Tweed and Eildon Hills. The hills serve as a reminder of the volcanic activity that once took place in the area. The lookout was known to be one of Sir Walter Scott's favourite places to come and reflect.
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The Hirsel
Website: http://www.dandaestates.co.uk/visitor-facilities/hirsel-visitor-facilities.php
Telephone: 01555 851536
The Homestead and the Hirsel Walks provide visitors to the Hirsel with a fascinating day out in the beautiful surrondings of Hirsel Estate Policies.
The Museum introduces visitors to what can be seen and heard as they explore the Estate and to provide some historical background.
There are a number of craft units at the Homestead, including a potter, glass worker, a textile worker, along with two excellent shops selling a variety of locally produced arts and crafts.
There are fascinating craftwork shops, a countryside museum, and a tea room serving delicious lunches and home baking in The Homestead close by. Enjoy the way marked walks throughout the Estate, especially around Dundock Wood – famous for its Rhododendrons and Azaleas, which are a blaze of colour and during the months of May and June.
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Eyemouth Golf Club
Website: http://www.eyemouthgolfclub.co.uk/
Telephone: 01890 750004
The 6th Hole, 'A Still No Ken' has been included in the Top 18 Holes in Scottish Golf 2015 alongside such prestigious courses as The Old Course St Andrews, Carnoustie, Troon and Turnberry.
Eyemouth is the First Golf Course in the Scottish Borders and was voted by 'Freedom of the Fairways Golfers' as 'The Borders Friendliest Golf Club 2013'.
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