The starting point
Scott’s View is the ideal place to begin any exploration of the Borders. Located above a loop of the River Tweed on Bemersyde Hill, this vantage point looks west to the Eildon Hills’ three peaks. It was named in honour of novelist Sir Walter Scott, who loved the magnificent view so much that his funeral hearse stopped here to give him "one last look".
Traquair House
Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for Scotland’s royalty. Visitors today can still see the bed belonging to Mary Queen of Scots, a magnificent Jacobite glass collection and the secret stairs and hiding places used when the house was used as a refuge for persecuted Catholic priests.
Traquair also boasts one of Scotland’s largest mazes, a quarter of a mile long and planted with 1500 trees – and for the adults there is one of the oldest working breweries
in Britain, serving Traquair House Ales.
National Museum of Flight
Imaginations young and old can take flights of fancy at this museum, which is dedicated entirely to the thrills of aviation. Located in East Fortune, this tourist hot spot exhibits aeroplanes of all shapes and sizes, from the pioneering machines of the First World War to the innovative supersonic Concorde. And there are even flight simulators for wannabe pilots.
Get On Your Bike
Two-wheeled thrill seekers flock to this region and the 7stanes. These seven mountain biking centres span the south of Scotland, but Glentress Mountain Biking Centre and Innerleithen in the Tweed Valley have a well-deserved reputation for offering the best mountain biking in the UK and attract riders from all corners. Award-winning Glentress has trails of all grades and a visitor centre with washing facilities for bikes and riders. Head a few miles south east, Innerleithen to where advanced riders test their skills on downhill and freeride trails – and pros can take on a red-graded route.
Patterns of success
The Scottish Borders region is famed for its high-quality textiles and a major attraction for many is to browse and buy tweeds, tartans and knitwear direct from the local mills and shops. The industry can be traced as far back as the 13th century and on the Textile Trail you can explore 10 different textile companies, museums, visitor centres and factory outlets. At the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick, which is open all year round, visitors can find out how tartan, tweed, wool and cashmere have found fame around the world. You can also see why they are still cherished in the top
fashion houses.
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