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The Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is perfectly positioned as perhaps the easiest destination in Scotland to reach; Edinburgh & The Lothians lie to the north, Dumfries & Galloway to the west, and Northumberland in northern England to the south.
Explore the rolling hills and open countryside and picturesque coastline, full of spellbinding abbeys, awe-inspiring stately homes and castles, and the time-honoured and truly unique Common Ridings.
Find experiences
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Travel to and around the Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is so simple to get to it's no wonder people return here time and again. Spanning 1,800 square miles, it sits just south of Edinburgh & The Lothians, to the north east of Dumfries & Galloway and borders with Northumberland in the north of England.
Getting to
Train
The Scottish Borders is accessible by train on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh, which stops at nearby Dunbar and North Berwick in East Lothian, and in Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is located just across the border with England.
Check out the LNER website for details
The Borders Railway makes the region more accessible than ever. Connecting Edinburgh with Tweedbank, the line allows for a journey time of just under an hour and calls at 10 charming towns in both Midlothian and the Borders.
Bus and coach
Visit and explore the Scottish Borders by train and bus with the Borders Explorer pass. This all-in-one ticket includes rail travel to and from Edinburgh Waverley, as well as onward travel via Borders Buses from the Galashiels Transport Interchange to towns and villages including Hawick, Jedburgh, Peebles and Kelso.
Driving
Whether you drive or take the bus from north or south, it won't take long - you can reach the heart of the region from Edinburgh or Newcastle within two hours.
Travel by car on a choice of routes from England: the four main routes are the A1 in the east, the A7 and A68 in the central Borders and the A697 from the south. The most scenic route to take - where you can marvel at the beautiful scenery the second you reach the Scottish Borders - is the A68 at Carter Bar which takes you right into the heart of the region.
Getting around
Bus and coach
You could always sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving. Take one of the many bus services Borders Buses runs between the towns.
Driving
Enjoy the freedom of travelling in your own car or take the stress out of getting from place to place by making use of the excellent public transport links. The A1 in the east and the A7 and A68 all run through the central Borders while an extensive network of minor roads ensure all towns are within easy reach of one another.
Why not take one of the scenic driving routes and trails the area has to offer?
- Follow the Borders Historic Route for the most picturesque journey.
- Motorsport fans can pay homage to the former Formula One racing legend, Jim Clark, on the Jim Clark Trail.
- For an immersive experience, download the Reivers Road app for GPS triggered audio trails around the Scottish Borders.
Places to stay
From self-catering experiences to welcoming B&Bs, find your perfect stay in the Scottish Borders.
A tip from your local expert

VisitScotland Information Centre
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Help and advice
You can also get advice from our accredited iKnow partners, with excellent local expertise, travel advice and insider tips about must-see attractions and great accommodation in the local area.
Find our iKnow Partners in this area
The Green House
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Places to eat
With its lush landscapes and fertile farmlads, the Scottish Borders have plenty of fresh produce and delicious local food to enjoy.
Map of the Scottish Borders
Explore The Scottish Borders
Get friendly and helpful advice for your trip at our iCentres.
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Smailholm Tower
Things to do
Lose yourself amongst the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Borders and experience a wonderful array of things to see and do.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland
© Great Tapestry of Scotland / Phil Wilkinson
Unique experiences
The Scottish Borders is full of unique history and tradition, from Common Riding events to its textile heritage.
- The Great Tapestry of Scotland
- Jedburgh Castle and Jail
- Hawick's cashmere industry
- Museum at Gunsgreen House
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The Cheviot Hills
Tours, routes and trails
Check out our ideas for short breaks and trails to explore the wider region.

Mounted riders during Selkirk Common Ridings
Events
Find out what's going on across the Scottish Borders, from sporting activities to music and festivals.
Explore further
The south of Scotland is full of beautiful landscapes and attractions to discover.

See South Scotland
Make brand new memories and visit the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway on your next adventure

Visit Berwickshire Coast
Get inspired to explore the fresh and rugged coastline on the Visit Berwickshire Coast website

Go Tweed Valley
Explore lush woodlands and rolling landscapes on the Go Tweed Valley website
Visit Kelso
Explore the Visit Kelso website to find out more about this picturesque town in the Scottish Borders.
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