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Innerleithen
Innerleithen, a village 12 miles west of Galashiels on the A72 on the banks of the River Tweed, developed as a mill town in the 18th century. Innerleithen was also a spa centre and you can sample the waters at St. Ronan's Wells and view the old pump room. Robert Smail's Printing Works is a working museum where visitors can have a go at the 19th century typesetting machines.
The main attraction in the Innerleithen area is Traquair House, first built before 1100 and the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland - the current owners, the Maxwell Stuarts, have lived there since 1491. It has lots to interest the visitor - sloping floors, a secret room where priests performed Mass and hid until the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, vaulted cellars where cattle were hidden from raiders and many historical relics including those of the Jacobites and Mary Queen of Scots. There are lots of walks in the grounds and gardens, including a hedge maze. There is also an art gallery and café. The Traquair House Brewery, first established in 1566, continues to ferment the ale totally in oak and its produce can be purchased in the shop. Traquair House hosts the Scottish Beer Festival in May and the Tarquair Fair in August.
Innerleithen library on Buccleuch Street is open for limited hours Monday to Friday.
Peebles
Peebles is a most attractive town on the banks of the River Tweed, about 18 miles west of Galashiels on the A72. It has a variety of interesting shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels (including Peebles Hydro, the Park Hotel, Cross Keys Hotel, Cringletie House - a mansion 2 miles north of Peebles, Castle Venlaw Hotel, Tontine Hotel and the Macdonald Hotel at Cardrona, the exclusive purpose-built golfing village located a few miles east of Peebles on the B7062).
Peebles is situated in a magnificent setting, surrounded by wooded rolling hills. The wide expanse of river with its parks, playgrounds and riverside walks make this a delightful area to visit. A mile-long walk to the 14th century Neidpath Castle is worth the effort - a medieval tower house which is open during the summer and bank holiday weekends. It includes a pit prison and information about Mary Queen of Scots. The more adventurous can continue on the circular Sware Trail which leads back to Peebles (about 5 miles in total). Longer, more strenuous, walks take you to St. Mary's Loch (13 miles) where there is swimming, sailing and a café, and about 6 miles south, a steep climb on a narrow track beside the 200-foot Grey Mare's Tail (a waterfall). You can also walk to Selkirk (14 miles) past Traquair House on the B7062.
A visit to Kailzie Gardens (open all year) provides an interesting day out for all the family. It is situated just over 2 miles out of Peebles on the B7062 and offers woodland walks, a walled garden, fishing, playground, restaurant and picnic areas (it is popular for Sunday lunches and advanced booking is recommended).
Peebles is a good centre for cyclists, either for those following the 90-mile long Tweed Cycleway or those seeking a range of mountain bike trails at Glentress Forest, two miles east of Peebles on the A72. Glentress is suitable for both beginners/children and those entering international standard competitions. Bikes and equipment can be hired there or you can take your own. Access to live osprey CCTV viewing is also available in season at Glentress. There is a swimming pool in the Leisure Centre.
Visitor attractions in Peebles are restricted. The Old Parish Church features an oak/bronze/engraved glass screen, Napoleonic flags and oil paintings of the Scriptures. The Tweeddale Museum and Gallery provides displays and information about Sir Walter Scot and other famous Borderers, a Victorian museum and hosts sculpted friezes of a copy of the Elgin Marbles taken from the Greek Parthenon and the Triumph of Alexander created in 1812 to honour Napoleon.
Regular buses run to Edinburgh (just over an hour), Galashiels (about 45 minutes) and other Border towns - from the Post Office on the High Street. The journey to Edinburgh takes about 40 minutes by car. The Tourist Information Centre is also on the High Street and is open 7 days a week. The library (on the High Street) is open each day and until 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Tweeddale
Tweeddale is the area between Peebles and the source of the River Tweed (take the B712 a few miles west of Peebles). Dawyck Botanic Gardens (open late February to November) is a world renowned arboretum with magnificent specimen trees from around the world providing sheltered walks and stunning scenery. Following the Tweed further south, on the AQ701, you reach Tweedsmuir where there are glass-blowing displays at the craft centre. From there, there is an attractive drive past the Talla and Megget reservoirs to reach the A708 at St. Mary's Loch.
Sleeps: 2, Bedrooms: 1
Is an excellent imaginatively-designed cottage for two people - bright and cosy, easily-managed - which stands detached, in its own ground on the edge of Cardrona Forest 6 miles from Peebles, just 100 yards from the River Tweed - a lovely location only 40 minutes drive south of Edinburgh and 80 minutes from Glasgow.
Sleeps: 2 (3) , Bedrooms: 1
At Innerleithen in the peaceful Tweed Valley, just 6 miles from Peebles, is St James, a stunning conversion of an old stone-built school hall. With its vaulted ceiling and arched windows, spiral staircase and galleried bedroom, it is now a comfortable and unforgettable holiday home.
Sleeps: 2 (4) , Bedrooms: 1
In a peaceful rural situation, yet less than half an hour from the Edinburgh by-pass, Meadowhead Barn is a stunning conversion of an old haybarn. Light, airy and spacious, (the sitting room is big enough for, well, a barn dance) yet cosy with central heating and a woodburning stove, it is a perfect retreat both for a relaxing country holiday and as a base for Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
In a quiet situation, on the banks of the River Tweed in the pretty Borders town of Peebles, Tweed Green is a newly refurbished and most comfortable terraced cottage. It has a lovely view of the river to the front and a suntrap terrace behind where you can sit out with an evening drink. Tweed Green will appeal to walkers, mountain bikers, and families looking for a holiday in quiet surroundings yet with plenty to do right on the doorstep.
Sleeps: 4, Bedrooms: 2
This cosy and traditional semi-detached cottage stands off a quiet country road near Peebles in the Scottish Borders. Just a few minutes from both the Southern Upland Way and the renowned mountain biking centre at Glentress, it is a comfortable base for both active and relaxing holidays.
Sleeps: 4 (8) , Bedrooms: 4
Is a spacious modern and very well appointed detached house in its own established gardens on the edge of the little Borders village of Innerleithen. It is perfect for walking, cycling on the world-class mountain biking trails at nearby Glentress, riding, golfing, fishing, sight-seeing, in fact for just about all the activities that make for an enjoyable holiday.
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