The very first borough you drive through when entering Scotland by road from the south, the Scottish Borders is a stunning part of the country and it’s glaringly obvious that you’ve crossed the border and entered the country, even if the sign wasn’t there telling you – it’s simply beautiful.
However, as fantastic as the area may be, it often misses out on a lot of overnight visitors as people pass straight through on their way to other parts of the country, which is extremely unfortunate as it has a lot to give.
Therefore, if you can take time out of your schedule to visit to the Scottish Borders, to ensure you never forget your trip, take a look at these five unforgettable sights that are an absolute must to visit.
1. Duns Castle
It may not be a hidden gem, but Duns Castle is a must-see for any visitor to the Scottish Borders, purely so you can witness the stunning architecture and revel in the fact that part of it is nearly eight centuries old.
With man made lakes in the beautiful grounds, it’s easily accessible from the A1 and provides a beautiful backdrop to your holiday photos.
2. Coldingham Bay
Situated away from main roads, but easily accessible by car, Coldingham Bay is a popular part of the Scottish Borders and you can see hundreds of families and couples enjoying themselves during the summer months.
However, most visitors stay very close to the cafe and car park – take your own food and walk along the coastline and you’ll be able to enjoy one of Scotland’s cleanest beaches in your own secluded area.
3. Ettick Forest
Although once a vast Royal forest, over-farming and forestry have reduced the forest’s size considerably and therefore a visit isn’t often recommended.
If you’re happy to dig a little deeper and take a walk into the parts of the forest near the water banks, however, you can still sample wildlife and fauna that filled the entire area during the height of its popularity as a Royal forest.
4. Cheviot Hills
If you got the train or coach from England to Scotland, what about walking back over the border on your way home? Not simply along the roads, however – the Cheviot Hills stretch from Scotland right down into Northumberland.
Having a number of notable peaks, the highest of which being The Cheviot, which stands at 815 metres high, you can sample breathtaking scenery with easy and advanced walks alike, making the Cheviot Hills a fantastic, alternative way to crossing the Scottish-English border.
5. Mire Loch
Only a century old in its current state, Mire Loch is one of Scotland’s few man made lochs and much like New York’s Central Park, was created to offer a recreational area for those living nearby.
A fantastic part of the country to see numerous birds and fish in their natural habitats, there are a number of well-mapped out footpaths around the entire loch, making for a wonderful walk around the area in both summer and winter alike (although if you do visit in the summer, you’ll be in for a treat as hundreds of Herring Gulls flock to the area to bathe).
The Scottish Borders may not be one of the country’s most popular areas, but it has such a vast array of different sights and attractions that when you’re visiting Scotland, rather than drive straight through, think about stopping for a night or two – you might just find you want to stay longer.
Guest Post by:
Cottages and Castles writer Matthew Bettoli invites you to check out the company’s holiday property in Arran for a relaxing getaway.
