LATEST | The Five Turrets

Border E-bike Hire | Kelso

Feb 3

Border E-bike Hire | Kelso

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

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Kayak and paddleboard | Midlem

Come See Scotland | Selkirk

Jan 22

Come See Scotland | Selkirk

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

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Bicycle hire | Diamond Cycle Centre

Traquair House | Maze

Dynamic Earth | Edinburgh

The Wild Outdoors

Eyemouth Rib Trips

Wild Tree Adventures

Cocoa Black | Peebles

Rock UK | Whithaugh Park

Fly Fishing | Selkirk

Yair Circular Cycle Route

Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours

The Guardian of Scotland

Mar 11, 2019

The Guardian of Scotland

For centuries the place where William Wallace was proclaimed Guardian of Scotland remained a mystery. But it's a mystery no more. In 1297 a Scottish hero arose: William Wallace. Wallace had won a famous victory over an English army at Stirling Bridge. The following year he was proclaimed Guardian of Scotland. His heroics were celebrated in the movie Braveheart. We know the ceremony took place at the Kirk o' the Forest. For centuries the location was lost. But in 2016 archaeol

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Roman in the gloamin

Mar 5, 2019

Roman in the gloamin

The Romans never conquered Scotland. But that doesn't mean they were strangers to the land north of Hadrian's Wall, as a visit to the site of the fort they built in the Scottish Borders reveals. I swear that we were taught at school that the Romans never reached Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall was the limit of the empire and beyond that was a savage wasteland inhabited by blue-painted maniacs in kilts. I don’t know whether this was because history teachers in the 1970s weren’t very

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Pssst! Can you keep a secret?

Mar 2, 2019

Pssst! Can you keep a secret?

Our new video showcases the unsung Scottish Borders. For many tourists, Scotland is simply the Highlands and Edinburgh. But they're missing out. The Scottish Borders is just an hour south of Edinburgh and less than two hours north of Newcastle. It's where discerning walkers come to head into the hills and cyclists put in the hard miles on world class mountain biking trails. There's history, there's wildlife (golden eagles and ospreys among the highlights) and a wealth of outd

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The Eildon Hills: in the land of the elves.

Feb 16, 2019

The Eildon Hills: in the land of the elves.

A short but bracing walk taking in all three Eildon Hills and including the Roman signalling station on Eildon Hill North. It's also the largest Celtic hill fort in Scotland. And, legend has it, the entrance to the land of the elves. Which you don't find on most walks. 4.2 miles. 2 hours. To find the start take the A6091 east past Melrose and turn off onto a minor road to the right at a sign for the Rhymer’s Stone. The path starts on the right of the road near an information

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The Duchess's Drive: forest, moor and a castle.

Feb 16, 2019

The Duchess's Drive: forest, moor and a castle.

A scenic hike around the Bowhill estate, taking in Newark Castle. 7 miles Start from the car park at Bowhill. Head up through the trees, and fork right up a well marked path. Follow the path up to a gate and go through. The path continues to climb and loops round to the right along the side of the hill. Go through a five bar gate on the left and then take the path ahead to another gate, go through it and head downhill through the forest. The path passes Newark Castle before r

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The Haining: a gentle lochside stroll through the woods

Feb 16, 2019

The Haining: a gentle lochside stroll through the woods

A gentle stroll from The Five Turrets around the The Haining loch in Selkirk. 2 miles. 45 mins. Turn right out of The Five Turrets and up to The Fleece pub. Cross over the road and across the public car park into The Haining. Bear left at the first path junction, then right at the next one down to the Haining house. Pass to the right of the house, down across the grass and follow the path around the loch, returning to the house and back through the town. Get the full route an

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