Holiday homes & rentals in the Scottish Borders

No more than an hour from Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders combine the rugged landscape of Scotland with the area's most turbulent history and resplendent cultural treasures. The whole family will be enchanted by its sacred ruins, castles, dense forests, and gardens overflowing with exotic flowers.

An ecclesiastical must

This romantically ruinous medieval abbey is what many think of at the mention of Scotland. Like something out of a fashion editorial, the cloister and chapter house have returned to the nature that inspired their Gothic designs. The spot is a serene haven, especially near the burial places of poet Sir Walter Scott and the famed Earl of Buchan.

Discover Scotland's magic

There is an endless choice of outings for children at the Scottish Borders. Visit Philiphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre to learn about the exciting journey of salmon upstream to their breeding grounds. Take part in an osprey watch at Tweed Valley's dedicated centre, or dress up in period clothing at the Borders Textile Towerhouse. Here, special exhibitions and audiovisuals bring the area’s history to life.

Unmissable attractions

Floors Castle

Surrounded by misty fields and forests, Scotland's largest inhabited castle is like nothing you've ever seen. Its grand crenellations were the creation of leading architect William Adam in 1721. Stroll along the river and through the Victorian walled garden, and admire the vast collection of fine art, porcelain, and restored tapestries.

Melrose Abbey

This ancient edifice is a masterpiece of Gothic style, with kaleidoscopic stained glass windows that illuminate the interior with rainbows in the late afternoon sunshine. A Cistercian monastery was built on the site in 1136, which suffered at the hands of the English due to its location at the English border. However, the monks were allowed to stay on after its dissolution.

Traquair House

Dating back almost a thousand years, Traquair House was originally a hunting lodge for Scottish royalty. Its library, brewery, and incredible hedge maze are now living history. Enjoy traditional Scottish fare at the Cottage Restaurant, which dates to 1745. Make sure to try the famous Traquair House Ales.

Glentress Forest

Grab your mountain bike and venture around Glentress. There are more forest trails here (over 50 miles) than anywhere else in Tweed Valley, making Glentress a pretty perfect place to experience the Scottish wild at its most rural and idyllic. Horseriding and orienteering are other superb ways to explore this stunning corner of Scotland.

Dawyck Botanic Garden

As green-fingered visitors will likely know, Dawyck is one of the world's most prestigious arboreta. The award-winning visitors centre teaches you all about the proliferation of exotic plants that somehow thrive in Scotland's rugged landscape. The defining structural element in the garden is the Dutch Bridge, an ideal setting for a photo.

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