Borders Historic Route: An Epic Guide

There are so many awesome road trips in Scotland. The Borders Historic Route runs from the English Border to the capital of Scotland.

Starting in Carlisle in England, then the route follows A7 towards the city of Edinburgh. The route is simply a must for anyone who is wanting to learn more about the history of this beautiful country. 

This Scottish road trip is 90 miles long. The route begins in Dumfries and Galloway and goes through the Scottish Borders before arriving in the capital city of Edinburgh.

Along the route, there is a picturesque town which is rich in history, culture and tradition. The total driving time is 2 hours, therefore it is a relatively short route.

If you are travelling from England this route is perfect for when you are entering the country before you head to the part of the country which you are intending to explore.

This comprehensive guide will help you make the most of the trip through this part of Scotland. 

Gretna Green 

Firstly, before you properly start the Borders Historic Route, take a small detour to Gretna Green.

At the Gretna Green visitor centre, you will find a museum, department store, whiskey shop, sculpture garden and courtship maze. There is plenty of parking here. 

Nearby Accommodation: Gretna Hall Hotel

Clan Armstrong Centre at Gilockie Tower

Gilnockie Tower has a fascinating history which dates back 500 years. The five-storey residence was built to house an important 16th-century organised family and protect them from other Anglo-Scottish border raiders.

At the time, the tower stood in ‘the Debatable Lands’ as no one knew if whether it belonged to Scotland or England.

Gilnockie Tower is home to the Clan Armstrong Centre, the ancestral home of the Armstrong Clan and is packed with fascinating clan heritage. From the upper walkway, you can see as far as the English Border. 

Wolfcleuch Waterfall

There are gorgeous waterfalls along the Borders Historic Route. From the small town of Hawick, you can take a detour to the Wolfcleuch Waterfall.

The waterfall is not well signposted so if you are up for an adventure to find the falls this is a good place to go. This is a lovely waterfall in the Scottish Borders.

You might have to walk an hour to find the falls as the path is no longer a designated walk. Also, a few bridges on the route have been destroyed recently, so you may have to go through water at some points.

This is a lovely quiet area, you do not have to go far in Scotland to find a small piece of paradise. Teviohead Waterfall is another waterfall just behind Teviothead on the A7. 

Hawick

Hawick is a famous Scottish Borders town and it a popular stop on the Borders Historic Route. Also, Hawick is well known in the national floral awards.

Additionally, the town is famous internationally for fine quality knitwear and cashmere.

Previously, the town is a major centre for the textile industry. Nowadays the town is part of the Textile Trail.

In the town, you can visit Borders Textile Towerhouse, Wilton Lodge Park and Borders Distillery. Also, you can visit the Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery which has exhibitions to show the history of the town. 

Nearby Accommodation: 7/1 The Loan

The Borders Textile Towerhouse

You can learn more about the history of the Scottish Borders at the Borders Textile Towerhouse.

The Borders Textile Towerhouse is located in Hawick, which is the largest town in the borders and is famous for its quality knitwear – cashmere in particular. 

The Borders Distillery

The first Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Scottish Borders opened in 2018.

It is the first Distillery in the area since 1837. As well as whisky, the distillery produces gin and vodka. 

It has fascinating tours and it is a beautiful distillery on historical premises. The tour was led by a friendly and knowledgeable guide.

Also, there were great products that were available to taste. 

Wilton Lodge Park

At Wilton Lodge Park there are 107 acres of riverside and tree-lined walks. The award-winning park is one of the most picturesque town parks in Scotland.

Also, the park has stunning formal gardens, a museum in an 18th-century mansion, a walled garden and even a waterfall. 

The park is a beautiful place to walk and it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. In the autumn you can see the leaves turn a gold shade or in the spring you can witness the extensive areas of daffodils, narcissi and flowering trees. 

Also, you can take a walk through the Violet Woods. The woods join the park at the western side which continues onto the riverside walks.

There is a statue within the park which commemorates the life of Steve Hislop who was the local motorcycling champion. 

Hermitage Castle 

The eerie ruin of Hermitage Castle is located in a stunning rural location in Liddesdale. The castle ruin has a dark history full of murder, torture and treason.

This history has led the castle to claim the title of ‘the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain’. It is believed the Hermitage Castle was established back in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Also, the castle was restored in the 19th century. Nearby, you can visit the 14th-century Hermitage Chapel.

Jedburgh 

For another small detour, you can visit the small town called Jedburgh. It is a beautiful town which you can easily spend a day in.

There is a great visitor centre, where you can pick up a self-guided walking tour leaflet from. Also, it is worth snapping a picture of the colourful renovated buildings in Market Place and Canongate or taking a riverside walk.

One of the things in Jedburgh that you must see is the red sandstone cathedral.

Also, you can not miss the house of Mary Queen of Scots and make sure to pay a visit to Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum. Nearby, visitors can find the 16th-century Ferniehirst Castle.

Nearby Accommodation: Old Bridge End

Lochcarron of Scotland 

Since 1947, Lochcarron has been producing exclusive ranges of fine tartan, tweeds, cashmere and knitwear. 

Also, the fascinating mill will show you the process of how over 700 types of tartan are made. You can relax, and buy hot drinks and cakes in the coffee shop on site before shopping in the visitor centre.

Moffat Hills 

Location: Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve

Another small detour from the Borders Historic Route is the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve. The landscape on the route to the Moffat Hills and surrounding the waterfall is spectacular.

It is worth walking up the path beside the waterfall and then up towards Loch Skeen. This area has some of the best landscapes that you can find in Scotland.

Selkirk 

Selkirk is a historic town known for sudden unexpected views, braes and wynds. Over the centuries, the town has been a site for battles, and many famous people including William Wallace and Sir Walter Scott have been here. 

The town’s oldest dwelling is now the local museum – the Haining and Halliwells House Museum. Three miles west Bowhill House, a Georgian mansion, is set on extensive grounds with beautiful grounds and woodland walks.

Nearby Accommodation: The Five Turrets

Lindean Mill Glass

In 1978, David Kaplan and Annica Sandstrom established this innovative glass studio. There is exquisite tableware and collections of vessels, plates and glass panels which are known worldwide.

You can find work that has been produced in the glass studio in Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow and in the V&A Museum in London. It is worth popping into the Lindean Mill Glass to see the glassblowers at work making glasses, plates and glass panels. 

Abbotsford House

Abbotsford House is the home of Sir Walter Scott. Sir Scott was a cherished Scottish novelist and poet.

Stories have shoes that he has popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered the Crown Jewels. Visit this building to learn more about the extraordinary history of Sir Walter Scott. 

Also, you can explore the mature woodland that Sir Walter Scott planted himself. Other fantastic historic houses which are within thirty-minute driving distance include the Floors Castle and Gardens and Traquair House. 

Melrose Abbey 

Melrose Abbey is a magnificent famous ruin in Scotland. The abbey was founded by David I in 1136, then was largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385.

Remains from the 15th-century site have been excavated and are now in the Commendator’s House. You can spend all afternoon wandering around here.

There are graves to explore, also, you can admire the architecture and listen to the interactive information points. Also, the abbey is believed to be the burial place of Robert Bruce’s heart. 

National Mining Museum Scotland 

At the National Mining Museum Scotland, you can view the huge compound of lady Victoria Colliery, one of the best surviving Victorian collieries in Europe.

The museum tells the story of coal for Scotland through exhibitions and guided tours of the pithead and re-created underground. 

At the site, you can experience what life was like for the miners, view machinery which was used in the mine and experience the sights and sounds of a working pit on a tour of the pithead. 

Vogrie Country Park

Visiting Vogrie Country Park on the Borders Historic Route offers an opportunity for lovely photographs and outdoor strolls.

There are 105 hectares of leafy woodland to explore. It is a beautiful and tranquil place.

Many events are running throughout the summer period for families and it is great for friends to get together. Also, you can explore the 1876 Victorian House, complete the nine-hole mini golf course or sit in the excellent cafeteria.

Moreover, there are over eleven miles of paths to follow. Many events are running throughout the summer period for families and it is great for friends to get together.  

Stewart Brewing 

On the outskirts of Edinburgh, you can visit the independent craft brewery. While you are at the Brewery Tap you might see some of the hard-working team working in the brewery.

You can take a tour to find out how the beer is made, sample local beer or pick up bottles to take home.

The Brewing Bar and Pizza Kitchen serve lovely pizza and a great selection of beer. Also, the beer garden is lovely and I will thoroughly recommend it. 

Rossyln Chapel

Location: Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair. The mysterious stonework has intrigued writers, artists and visitors ever since.

Also, Rosslyn Chapel, built between 1446 and 1484 and has been described as the “Library in Stone”.

Moreover, the 15th-century chapel in Midlothian became famous after being the centre of a conspiracy theory in Dan Brown’s book, ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

A Hollywood film starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou has been released and visitors from all over the world visit the site. 

Rosslyn Chapel is a beautiful place which makes you think back to the past. Also, the art and the sculptures are truly precious.

The site has a little cafe where you can buy coffee and pastries.

Dalkeith Country Park 

Dalkeith Country Park is an enormous park on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It is an awesome place to stop by to enjoy some time outdoors.

Also, you can relax at the stunning Restoration Yard Cafe which is located in the former stables. Moreover, there are plenty of walking and cycling trails around the 1,000-acre estate. 

Edinburgh 

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, is the official ending city of the Borders Historic Route. There is an extremely cool city, with lots of restaurants and bars that deserve delicious food which is well worth tucking into. 

In Edinburgh, you can view Edinburgh Castle which sits prominently on Castle Rock. Also, you can stroll along the Royal Mile and admire the impressive architecture of the Old Town. 

Also, you can relax in the meadows, and Princes Gardens or watch the sunset at Calton Hill. Other options include wandering around Greyfriars kirkyard, hiking up Arthurs Seat or going for a stroll around Holyrood Park. 

There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day in Edinburgh including the Scottish National Gallery and National Museum of Scotland. 

Final Note

The Scottish Borders Historic Route is a brilliant route which showcases the best sights in southern Scotland. It is one of the unmissable road trips in Scotland.

Some towns to shop at for accommodation or places to eat are Selkirk, Jedburgh, Hawick and Gretna Green.

There are plenty of museums, victorian houses and grand manors that display what life would have been like in this area long ago.

Also, you can admire the waterfalls, rivers and stunning landscapes of the rolling hills of southern Scotland. 

There are many other tourist routes in Scotland including South West Coastal 300, Forth Valley Tourist Route and Argyll Coastal Route.