Scottish Borders historic towns and villages

Cockburnspath is one of the prettier villages in the south-east corner of the Scottish Borders, about three miles north of Grantshouse, just off the busy A1. Though the traffic on the A road whizzes by in the distance, the village itself is actually rather peaceful, and very pretty, with attractive tile-roofed cottages.
Cockburnspath, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Mercat cross established by James IV

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Coldingham is an attractive village near the Berwickshire coast, a few miles north of Eyemouth. At the heart of the village are the ruins of Coldingham Priory, one of the most important and wealthiest monasteries in medieval Scotland.
Coldingham, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval Coldingham Priory ruins

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Coldstream is a picturesque historic town on the banks of the River Tweed. It was the birthplace of the Coldstream Guards and the Guard's former headquarters is now a museum of local heritage. On the outskirts of Coldstream is the Hirsel Estate, the ancestral seat of the Home family.
Coldstream, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Birthplace of the Coldstream Guards

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Jedburgh is an attractive town in the Scottish Borders, known for its superb 12th-century abbey. Look for the Mary, Queen of Scots Visitor Centre, based in the house where the queen stayed on a visit to Jedburgh in 1566. Jedburgh's medieval castle was rebuilt as a Victorian jail. You can tour the original jail and explore a museum devoted to local heritage.
A68, Jedburgh, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey

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Melrose is a picturesque historic town on the River Tweed. It is home to the remarkable ruins of Melrose Abbey, famous for its superb medieval carving and as the burial place of two kings. A stone's throw from the abbey are two historic gardens, and just a few miles away is Abbotsford, the home of the author Sir Walter Scott.
Melrose, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: The magnificent ruins of Melrose Abbey

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Peebles is a pretty town on the River Tweed in an area of outstanding scenic beauty. The town was declared a royal burgh in 1152 and retains a wealth of historic buildings. Among those is Cross Kirk, a Trinitarian priory founded by Alexander II in 1296. A few miles away is Traquair, one of the great historic houses of Scotland.
A72, Peebles, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: Medieval ruins of Cross Kirk

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Selkirk is a historic royal burgh, one of the oldest in Scotland. William Wallace was proclaimed Guardian of Scotland here in 1297 in a chapel on the site of the 18th-century Auld Kirk. The town has strong links to Sir Walter Scott, whose early 19th-century courtroom is preserved on the market square.
Selkirk, Borders, Scotland

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Heritage Highlight: The Georgian mansion of Bowhill

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The adjective 'picturesque' is greatly overused by writers of travel articles and tourism brochures. But try as I might, I can't really come up with a better word to describe the lovely little fishing village of St Abbs, on the south-east Berwickshire coast, just inside the Scottish border.
St Abbs, Borders, Scotland

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