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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.

Relevant Tours

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Yorkshire Dales, England

Rail Tour of Britain – Travel by train on this rail adventure through Britain touching the highlights of England, Scotland and Wales. Visit the elegant historic cities of York, Bath and Chester and enjoy scenic rail journeys through the rolling hills of the English Lake District, the Scottish Lowlands and the Welsh border Marches. Your trip is rounded off with stays in no fewer than three capital cities in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff and includes selected day-tours to reach more rural sites such as the Cotswolds and Stonehenge.

Castle Tours - Blenheim Palace

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England Tours of Oxford

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Tours of the Scottish Borders - Jedburgh

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Tours of London - Tower Bridge

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Tours of Britain Search

Classic Britain Driving Tour - a snapshot of the countryside and historic cities of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy the rolling hills and thatch villages of the Cotswolds to the towering mountains and fortresses of North Wales. Pass through the lakes and dales of the English Lake District and the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands and Yorkshire Dales. Historic cities to explore on route include Regency Bath, Medieval York, and the capital cities of Edinburgh and London.

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