So, you’ve made it to The Borders! Land of Cashmere, Tweed and now Scotch Whisky.
As well as a visit to the distillery, there are many other Scottish Borders and Hawick attractions. These include the Borders Textile Towerhouse in which the heritage of Scotland’s premier textile manufacturing region is presented within a restored 16th-century tower house. Wilton Lodge Park, on the wooded banks of the River Teviot, has 107 acres of riverside and tree-lined walks, and a walled garden. The Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery detail Hawick’s history and provide a venue for visiting exhibitions.
The distillery is proud to be a part of Famously Hawick – a celebration of the town’s rich manufacturing heritage and its international reputation for producing quality goods.
Of course, you can’t miss the amazing Borders Distillery when in The Borders… but we also have a tonne of other things to see.
Melrose Abbey is one of the most famous ruins in Scotland. Founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, it was largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century. Explore the rich history and artifacts found during the excavation. A popular alternative is the rustic Jedburgh Abbey.
The Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre in Jedburgh is steeped in history as Mary Queen of Scots spent a month there in 1566. Discover paintings, objects and textiles from the time and learn about her life as Queen of Scotland.
Looking for a soft activity? Visit Johnstons of Elgin’s Hawick knitting mill where the highest quality Cashmere and Merino Wool products are produced. Learn about Hawick’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and enjoy some of the finer things that this industrial town has to offer.
Looking for something to do off the beaten track? Why not trot along with some of the Borders friendliest residents – Alpacas! Yes, you can take some fluffy friends on a trek in the scenic Cheviot Hills.
If you’re a coffee lover, you should check out The Damascus Drum in Hawick. A small, friendly café on Silver Street who serve the best coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as small plates, making it the perfect spot for your weekend brunch. The café has a traditional, boho feel, and if you’re a bookworm, they have a second-hand book shop at the back where there is a huge selection of books to peruse. All their ingredients are ethically and fairly sourced, using a variety of local produce.
The Three Hills Coffee Co. in Selkirk is an independent coffee roaster, based in the Borders. In 2018, they decided to open a coffee shop on Selkirk High Street, to show off their fine roasts and artisan drinks. The café has a fun, modern feel with friendly staff and of course, excellent coffee. Fancy having a go at being a barista yourself? They offer barista training workshops so you can learn the art of coffee for yourself.
Burts House Hotel in Melrose is well recommended by our team, with two AA Rosettes every year since 1995 for its delicious food and drinks, and use of Borders produce.
La Locanda Romana is an Italian restaurant in Hawick, highly rated by our team. Paolo’s Italian in Galashiels is another option for some delicious Italian food.
Schloss Roxburghe Hotel is a luxury hotel just outside of Kelso who have 2 great restaurants – Charlie’s which is a bistro style restaurant, and Sunlaws which offers delicious tasting menus. They serve sustainably sourced food and the best of Borders produce.
Taste of Spice is an Indian restaurant in Selkirk which is highly-rated by our team for delicious Indian cuisine.
The Hoebridge in Gattonside is an independent restaurant who create small, seasonal menus that change monthly. They use Scottish produce, with most sourced from the Scottish Borders. They also have a gorgeous garden to sit and soak up that Borders sunshine.
The Black Bull in Lauder is another team-recommended spot. They serve different cuisines, all made using the best of local produce, and the specials are to die for.
The Capon Tree Townhouse is in Jedburgh. They specialise in contemporary cuisine and bold flavours created by their chef, Alasdair Wilkie.
Beachy keen to discover the lush sands of the Borders? Being in the south-east of Scotland means that the Borders has lots of beautiful, sandy beaches and (in theory, making no promises) warmer weather than the west of Scotland.
If you’re into rocks, Siccar Point has Site of Special Scientific Interest Status as James Hutton (the so-called Father of Geology) founded his ‘Theory of the Earth’ here, not to mention the stunning views, especially as the sun rises and sets. Pease Bay is another picture-perfect beach with the striking red rock and white sand that Berwickshire is famous for. Visit the Pease Bridge while you are at it, which stands a whopping 130ft tall. Coldingham Bay is a sheltered sandy beach near St Abbs that attracts kayakers, surfers and paddlers alike.
Eyemouth is a fishing town on the Borders coast with a rich history that carries on ‘til this day. Grab a chippy and watch the boats in the harbour or take a seat on the beach for the true seaside experience.
If you’re a golfer, the Borders boasts 21 golf courses, you can find a full list of courses here.
The Borders has plenty of places to walk too, with 1500 miles of dedicated walking routes, five hills over 2460ft and 40 hills in total, there are many options. Six Borders routes are part of Scotland’s Great Trails:
Berwickshire Coastal Path
Borders Abbeys Way
Cross Borders Drove Road
Roman abd Reivers’ Route
St Cuthbert’s Way
Southern Upland Way
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