Top 10 Things to do Good for Couples in Scottish Borders, Scotland

February 22, 2022 Velvet Champine

A short distance from Edinburgh is a landscape strewn with sturdy hill forts, ancient castles and ruined abbeys that hints at the tumult of the past. It's quite at odds with the picturesque rolling, if windswept, sheep-studded hills and quiet valleys that make all seem agreeably placid to today’s visitor. At its heart are the ruins of four medieval abbeys with Jedburgh, the most complete, the best to visit first for its insights into monastic life. Of the others, Melrose is both the pick of the bunch, and also close to Abbotsford, the sometime home of the Romantic novelist Sir Walter Scott, and a splendid receptacle for his engrossing collection of historical curios. There are fine country houses to visit, notably Mellerstain for its exquisite Robert Adam interiors, and Manderston, the enjoyable swan song of the Edwardian Country House. Anglers should note that the River Tweed is also one of Scotland’s finest salmon-fishing rivers.
Restaurants in Scottish Borders

1. Ridelines Mountain Biking

Glentress Forest Tweed Valley, Scotland., Peebles EH45 8NB Scotland +44 7817 792544 [email protected] http://www.ridelines.co.uk/
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5.0 based on 61 reviews

Ridelines Mountain Biking

RIDELINES are based in the Tweed Valley only 4 miles away from Glentress Forest. We offer expert rider focused mountain bike tuition from experienced and professional instructors. Our course structures and 1:1 sessions are carefully built from our years of experience to get the most out of your riding. We guarantee to let you in on great technique secrets and you'll get the essential techniques and expert help to meet your own riding challenges and get you thinking, working and developing your riding. We also offer guided rides, multi day trips and group activity days customised for your group on world class trails in the Tweed Valley and beyond. Discover the unwaymarked beauty of the area with our expert guides. We've been delivering quality mountain biking experiences since 2006 - years of dedicated experience means we know what it takes to make your trip memorable for all the right reasons.

Reviewed By 19Graham2015 - Keswick, United Kingdom

I received Ridelines vouchers as a 60th birthday present -what a great present ! Thanks for a great one to one course Andy . Thoroughly enjoyed it , learnt loads and a big improvement on my riding ,wish I had done it years ago!

2. 7stanes - Glentress

Glentress Glentress Glentress Glentress Forest, Peebles EH45 8NB Scotland +44 300 067 6900 [email protected] http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/glentress
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5.0 based on 277 reviews

7stanes - Glentress

Reviewed By Goose1647 - Garforth, United Kingdom

1st visit to the trails here and they certainly don't disappoint, did the black route straight off the bat and it broke me a little, did a bit of pushing up but the flies took a shine to me so stopping wasn't an option. The downhills are ace though and well worth the climbing, spooky wood is great fun and even the blue at the end is pretty mega with great flow, just a shame it's so far away.

3. St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve

St Abbs Scotland http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/St-Abbs-Head-National-Nature-Reserve/#
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5.0 based on 181 reviews

St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve

Reviewed By E6339QHandrewr

Walking from St Abbs to the St Abbs Head lighthouse isn't very far but well worth the effort. It is steep in places but the track is well marked and what's the rush anyway. Towards the Lighthouse you'll see an increasing amount of nesting bird-life from the cliff tops and Mire Loch is slightly inland with its own array of nesting bird-life. Dive-boats are continually busying themselves below you (among the rafts of guillemots) and with the right conditions, you'll get splendid views of Bass Rock in the distance.

4. Velvet Hall Alpacas

Velvet Hall Cottages, Innerleithen EH44 6RD Scotland +44 7769 268775 [email protected] http://www.velvethall-alpacas.co.uk
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5.0 based on 91 reviews

Velvet Hall Alpacas

Alpaca Trekking in the Scottish Borders An opportunity to walk with an Alpaca in the beautiful Tweed Valley countryside. We offer any trekking experience to meet all your requirements. Our Alpacas are adorable and love going out trekking. They amble along taking it all in their stride with a playful, inquisitive nature; we know that children and adults of all ages will fall in love with them.

Reviewed By 401sharona - Aviemore, United Kingdom

What a fantastic experience! Jean and Stuart were lovely, informative and such great fun. We totally fell in love with the alpacas, they have an amazing nature, very sociable, inquisitive and right wee characters! Special thanks to Pearson and Storm for looking after us so well. This years Christmas list looks interesting!!

5. Cove Harbour

Cockburnspath Scotland http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/downloads/file/691/berwickshire_coastal_path
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5.0 based on 51 reviews

Cove Harbour

Reviewed By 18ElizabethB

While holidaying at pease bay we visited Cove and took the children down the hill to find the tunnel through the cliff and out into a bueatiful harbour. A hidden gem with a lovely beach

6. The Borders Distillery

Commercial Road, Hawick TD9 7AQ Scotland +44 1450 374330 [email protected] http://www.thebordersdistillery.com/
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5.0 based on 84 reviews

The Borders Distillery

The Borders Distillery® opened in March 2018 – the first Scotch Whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837. We’re dedicated to capturing the true spirit of the Borders, and bringing whisky-making back to the region. Our hometown, Hawick, has a famous history of manufacturing, where cashmere is king and where tweed was invented. There is a spirit of industry and enterprise in the town that inspires us in everything we do. The distillery is in a landmark building in the centre of town, making us both familiar and new. Occupying the site of the former Hawick Urban Electrical Company, we undertook a complete and careful renovation of the building, turning it into a fully functioning distillery. With an attention to detail and acknowledgement of the building’s history, every tiny detail has been covered. From the restoration of the original 1930 crane, to the lead welded windows, we are immensely proud of every bit of the renovation. Visit us, and see it for yourself.

Reviewed By AnnB623 - Bristol, United Kingdom

We pre-booked a small group tour for our family group at this new Borders distillery, and were lucky enough to be shown around personally by their distiller, Robyn! Her passion, enthusiasm and knowledge shone through from the start in her engaging style and we had a brilliant tour around the wonderfully renovated industrial building. Sadly the distillery wasn’t in operation as they are awaiting storage space construction, held up by Covid 19, but Robyn brought the process alive for us and it was a fascinating, personal and most enjoyable visit. The bar at the end had a great photo exhibition, and was the venue for our included tasting session...... really delicious William Kerr’s gin and Puffing Billy vodka made on site, and their Clan Fraser blended whisky. We loved our tour, and couldn’t resist purchasing some of the spirits and other goodies in the friendly and beautiful shop. A most enjoyable visit. Thank you!

7. Hermitage Castle

Hawick TD9 0LU Scotland +44 13873 76222 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hermitage-castle/
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4.5 based on 135 reviews

Hermitage Castle

This site is closed for now. We’re working hard to gradually reopen the places you love while making sure the experience is safe for everyone. Find out more about our reopening plans. Soak up the eerie, powerful atmosphere of an imposing stronghold with a notorious reputation. One of the great Borders castles, Hermitage dates back to the 1300s. Look for the garrison's cesspit and seek shelter under the great arch if it rains.

Reviewed By Fergs85 - Thornton-Le-Dale, United Kingdom

This is a pretty iconic place, one of the most brooding and formidable examples of border fortification you will find. Always been on my "bucket list".It used to be known as “the guardhouse to the bloodiest valley in Britain” (referring to Liddesdale, where the castle sits today). Although not open right now, it’s still worth taking in the structure from the outside alone – there are plenty of informative orientation boards – and the atmosphere of the place can be enjoyed in relative peace and quiet. Impressive! Looking forward to a "proper" visit in the (not to distant?) future.

8. Melrose Abbey

Abbey Street, Melrose TD6 9LG Scotland +44 1896 822562 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/melrose-abbey/
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4.5 based on 1,136 reviews

Melrose Abbey

Melrose Abbey is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. Probably the most famous ruin in Scotland, the abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, and it was largely destroyed by Richard II's English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century, and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland. Objects found during excavation are displayed in the Commendator's House. The exterior of this magnificent ruin is decorated by unusual sculptures, including hobgoblins, cooks with ladles and a bagpipe playing pig. The abbey is also thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, marked with a commemorative carved stone plaque within the grounds.

Reviewed By Termer13 - Swanage, United Kingdom

Prominently situation in Melrose, the Abbey is an integral part of the identity of Melrose. Imposing and full of atmosphere the Abbey is well worth a visit and while you’re there there’s loads more to see in this lovely borders town where I happily grew up!

9. Abbotsford House

Abbotsford House Abbotsford, Melrose TD6 9BQ Scotland +44 1896 752043 [email protected] http://www.scottsabbotsford.com
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4.5 based on 1,063 reviews

Abbotsford House

Abbotsford is the extraordinary home of the 19th century novelist and ‘Great Scott’ who popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels. In 2021-2022 Scotland celebrates the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott. Visit Abbotsford during this special occasion to meet the man behind the monument, whose imagination and patriotism shaped the Scotland of today. Discover a treasure trove of fascinating objects which inspired his greatest poems and novels. Learn about Scott's life, browse the gift shop, enjoy seasonal food in our cafe or simply relax in the beautiful formal gardens and tranquil woodlands.

Reviewed By captcalculus

if you're anywhere near Melrose. Fascinating house of Sir Walter Scott with an excellent hand-held audio guide that allows you to wander through at your own pace, providing optional commentary on additional items in each room/area. Also, the gardens are quite nice, even in September. I am one of those driven people who like to get in and get out, but even so, we spent close to 3 hours here. Don't miss.

10. Jedburgh Abbey

4/5 Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh TD8 6JQ Scotland +44 1835 863925 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/jedburgh-abbey/
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4.5 based on 635 reviews

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. One of the four border abbeys, Jedburgh Abbey was founded by David I in around 1138 for Augustinian canons. Explore the fascinating Jedburgh Abbey along with its visitor centre and surrounding herb garden with aromatic plants and a stone display at the west end. The church was built in the Romanesque and early Gothic styles and is remarkably complete. Jedburgh Abbey’s close location to the English border meant it was frequently targeted by invading border armies. Remains of the cloister buildings have been uncovered and finds from the excavations, including the 12th century 'Jedburgh comb' and an eighth century shrine are on display.

Reviewed By AlanT607 - Paducah, United States

We didn't get to go inside but we could walk all around it. They had a well maintained cemetery with special blue plaques around the abbey and throughout the town with historical information.

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