Destination Guide to the Scottish Borders
Gently undulating hills and lush river valleys punctuated with ancient castles and abbeys, the South of Scotland and Scottish Lowlands are a region of understated natural beauty.
Stretching south from the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to the border with England, the southerly portion of Scotland encompasses much of the Scottish Lowlands and is sometimes referred to as the Scottish Borders region. Whilst the landscapes do not hold the drama of the Highlands, they are nonetheless some of Britain’s most charming and picturesque, home to rolling windswept hills, quaint market towns and some of Scotland’s finest fresh water fishing in the waters of the rivers Tweed and Clyde.
Once host to endless shifting borderland battles between the English and the Scots, the Scottish Lowlands are intrinsically connected to historic Scottish figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. Today, the region remains home to dozens of historic sites including some excellently preserved castle ruins, such as Hermitage Castle and Caerlaverock Castle, and a number of stunning medieval abbeys including those of Melrose, Jedburgh and Dryburgh. Dappling the hills is a wealth of more recent historic sites including the romantic town for young English elopers at Gretna, the Victorian town of Peebles and the UNESCO World Heritage site at New Lanark.
The Lowlands also provide a wealth of Scottish literary culture, in the East the more rugged landscapes inspired national poet Robert Burns whilst the west of the region is associated with Sir Walter Scot widely considered one of Scotland’s greatest novelists and playwrights.
Offering subtle beauty and an intriguing history, spending time in the south of Scotland and her lowlands makes for a rewarding Scottish experience.
