Tour of Scottish Borders

Introduction

This afternoon, I am reporting on a day tour of the Scottish Borders region (southern Scotland).

Information on the Scottish Borders Tour  

Spider’s Web at Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland

First we departed our lodgings in Melrose and drove to nearby Dryburgh Abbey. Now a romantic ruin, the Abbey was founded around 1150 for a cadre of monks known as premonstratensians. Influenced by its location, the abbey was subject to attacks by English armies in 14th and 16th centuries with final denouement at time of the Reformation in 1560. Here are buried Sir Walter Scott and Earl Haig.

Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland

Dryburgh Abbey, Scotland

Next to Hawick to join 11.30 am tour of the Johnstons of Elgin cashmere textile mill. We benefited from a private tour which proved a fascinating and instructive experience.

Cashmere at Johnstons

Manufacturing at Johnstons Cashmere

Johnstons Cashmere, Hawick, Scotland

Tour Guide at Johnstons Cashmere

After a light lunch at Johnstons restaurant we moved on to visit the Hermitage Castle near Newcastleton. This semi-ruined edifice is symbolic of the lawlessness of the borders region until merger of the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603.The current structure dates from the 14th century having developed from an earlier, 13th century castle. Ownership has variously rested with such prominent Borders families as Douglas, Hepburn and Scott.

Hermitage Castle. Scotland

Tour Guest at Chapel of Hermitage Castle

Hermitage Castle, Scotland

Next, we returned north, along a narrow road passing through stunning scenery before encountering a farmer moving a flock of sheep with aid of his collie dog.

Our next and final destination was Smailholm Tower, near Melrose. This is a restored example of a Peel Tower with a history dating back to the 15th/16th centuries. This was a high status residential building designed for defence. It survived attacks by the English in the 16th and 17th centuries but fell into decay during the 18th century. Restoration was undertaken during the 1980s. Connected with the Scott family.

Smailholm Tower, Scottish Borders

Smailholm Tower, Scotland

View from Smailholm Tower, Scotland

Tomorrow, we travel south to England and Hadrian’s Wall.

More information

For more information on Scotland's tourist sites please refer to Visitors’ Guide to Scotland. This ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This is also available via Kindle.

 

 

 

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