Visit the producers who helped make this Scottish Borders town "the home of Tweed". What we like: Hawick bills itself as the cashmere, tweed and whisky town and Famously Hawick helps bring that heritage together, with tours of five of the main producers, all located between Hawick's four bridges. It's a must-see for anyone with an interest in textiles - especially when combined with a visit to the Borders Textile Towerhouse museum, which brings to life 200 years of knitwear a

Tea, whisky, fine food and blether - and all in the best possible taste. What we like: A fantastic range of foodie tours with the always-engaging Isobel, including a romp around the Borders tantalising the taste buds and taking in a three course lunch and a beer tasting at a local brewery. There's a tea tour featuring the history of tea smuggling and a chance to blend your own breakfast brew. And a wild picnic with a hamper of treats including Scottish langoustines and gin co

Let the battery take the strain as you cycle the highways and byways of the Scottish Borders. What we like: The Scottish Borders offer some of the finest cycling routes in the UK - but there's no getting past the fact that the Southern Uplands do feature rather a lot of hills. Enter the E-bike - all the normal features of a conventional bicycle but with the added benefit of a battery powered motor to help you on your way. With a range of between 40 and 90 miles - depending on

One of the best ways to experience the Scottish Borders is from the water so why not hire a paddleboard or a kayak and get started?

Blue badge guides know what they're talking about - let Ann show you the very best of the Scottish Borders. What we like: Ann has spent years showing guests around the highlights of Scotland but she has made her home in the Scottish Borders for good reason. As a qualified blue badge guide, trained by the Scottish Tour Guides Association, guests can be assured of a top quality day out packed with fabulous insights and storytelling. The former geography teacher is a true Scot

Rent a bike from the Diamond Cycle Centre for your stay at The Five Turrets

Scotland's largest hedge maze. It's amazing...

Experience the Big Bang, volcanoes and earthquakes and the rainforest. And it's got a little iceberg.

Drop the kids off at one of their all day camps: they'll climb trees and have an adventure.

Nautical but nice. The half hour fast blast is popular but take a look at the Coastal Exploration trip.

Extraordinary adventures climbing magnificent trees, all with the safety of ropes and helmets and expert supervision.

There's a divine chocolate shop and cafe, but what makes this really stand out from the crowd is the chocolate and pastry school.

Outdoor adventures for all the family.

Book fly fishing on the Tweed with our expert and we'll arrange instruction, equipment and permits. Salmon, sea trout, trout, grayling.

Serenity Farne Island boat tours: seals, puffins, whales and a crew who really do know their stuff.

A great day out for all the family. Brewery, distillery, restaurant, grass sledging, rollerskating - there's a lot going on.

Guided, self-guided and bespoke bike adventures. They know their stuff and the best rides in Scotland.

World class mountain biking routes from easy to extreme. With added ospreys. What we like: There's something for everyone here (and an osprey viewing centre in the bottom car park). The Glentress red route is regarded as one of the world's finest: "sure to put a huge grin on your face with its technical climbs, fabulous views, fast flowing descents, jumps and berms." In their own words: "The 7stanes are world-class mountain biking centres that span the south of Scotland. Thei

Wonderful little wildlife reserve with great chances of seeing red squirrels. What we like: Everything. The squirrels, obviously. Everyone loves red squirrels. And the birds. And the fact that it is run by people who really care about wildlife. Oh, and the woodland walks. Just everything. In their own words: "Eskrigg Reserve is on the site of an old curling pond. It occupies seven acres and contains a mixture of habitats including mixed woodland, grassland, heathland, willow

Family-friendly zoo on the west of Edinburgh. What we like: The pandas are the star attraction, but the penguins are great fun and there can't be many other places in the world where you can stand in a glass tunnel underneath a tiger. In their own words: "Set in over 82 acres of wooded hillside, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 1,000 rare and endangered animals. RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is home to the only giant pandas in the UK. The female is called Tian Tian (Sweetie) and the m