Hills, Forests and Valleys of Southern Scotland

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When those unfamiliar with the country are asked to picture Scotland, the wild Highlands as depicted in shows like Outlander are often the first images to come to mind. No matter how beautiful the north of the country is, Scotland’s beauty extends to all four corners of its borders. Scotland’s southern areas hold just as many hidden treasures and explorable spaces as the heathered moors to the north.

Enclosed by the rocky cliffs and harbour towns of the coast, Scotland’s topography varies even more wildly from place to place the further one travels inland. No two areas are the same, as each takes a vastly different form from its neighbour – rolling hills flow into stretching forests, and deep valleys connect with swirling rivers. This article highlights some of the stunning locations tucked away in Scotland’s south.

The vivid imagination that brought the world seminal novels like Waverley and Rob Roy also begot one of the most picturesque houses in Britain. Every inch of Abbotsford – from the baronial, neo-Gothic stonework of its exterior to the intricate floral arrangements in the gardens – came from Sir Walter Scott, one of the foundational writers of Scottish literature. Scott was a prolific novelist and poet who fortunately found success during his lifetime, allowing him to design the house to his exact specifications.

Abbotsford now belongs to the Abbotsford Trust, which formed after the death of Scott’s final descendant. The charity began the arduous process of fundraising and restoration in 2007 and have now amassed the money needed to completely preserve the house and its contents. Thanks to the trust, Abbotsford is now an accessible educational resource as well as a fantastic visitors’ attraction.

Ghosts from all eras of Scotland’s past haunt the ruined halls of Melrose Abbey. From the body of Alexander II to the heart of Robert the Bruce, the remains of many heroes found this monastery to be their resting place. The appeal of Melrose Abbey lies in more than macabre fascination, however, as visitors flock to the intricate carvings and ornamental details adorning various aspects of the building.

The abbey’s original iteration finished construction in 1136 under the reign of King David I as a space of strict contemplation for Cistercian monks. Over the centuries, more and more buildings were added to the ever-growing estate, with the structurally intact hall dating from around the 1500s. Following an assault by the army of Henry VIII, Melrose Abbey fell into disrepair after this period, gradually decaying over the centuries until its improvement by Sir Walter Scott. The abbey is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, which keeps it open to visitors.

Just as the writings of Walter Scott captured the essence of Scotland, the view now bearing his name is a distillation of everything that makes the south so beautiful. According to legend, the author visited the overlook so often that his horses learned to halt there without him giving command. Gazing out onto the snaking flows of the River Tweed, it is easy to see how the view resonated so deeply with Scott and helped form the basis of his monumental works.

Seated on the singular bench atop Scott’s View, passers-by can look out all the way to the towering Eildon Hills. Stretching before those volcanic mounds is an expansive patch of lowland that held the original Melrose Abbey, though no remnants of its creation can be seen.

Countless historical figures – from Mary Queen of Scots to William Wordsworth – have passed through the walls of Neidpath Castle. Much of the splendour that enchanted those visitors has fallen into ruin, but that which remains gives insight into the original 15th-century majesty. The sturdy tower house stands just west of Peebles and looks out over the River Tweed, making it an equally strategic and scenic location. This enviable spot made Neidpath a prime target for assault, the most severe of which came at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during his invasion of Scotland.

A cycle of demolitions and subsequent restorations followed. In its current state, the castle is owned by the Earl of Wemyss, who operates the castle as a historical venue for weddings and other events. Although not enterable by the public, the grounds of Neidpath Castle are more than worthy of a visit during your trip to the south.

Another of the spots frequented by Sir Walter Scott when in search of inspiration, St Mary’s Loch lies at the edge of Ettrick Forest. At 5 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, the water forms the largest loch anywhere in the Borders. St Mary’s is surrounded by looming hilltops that frame the glittering surface perfectly while shielding onlookers from typically rugged Scottish winds. Nearby businesses offer fishing and sailing, and the shore makes for gentle walking.

Like much of Scotland, St Mary’s Loch is as historically important as it is beautiful. Ruins of towers used to shield civilians from assaults from south of the border are scattered throughout the landscape.

Given the Celtic mythology surrounding beasts such as kelpies and the reverence given to the goddess Epona, equine names occur very frequently throughout Scottish geography. One such feature is Grey Mare’s Tail, the waterfall which has become synonymous with its entire surrounding area. Plummeting 60m from the mouth of Loch Skeen, the name Grey Mare’s Tail refers to its frothing white and remarkably slender, taillike formation.

However, the park surrounding Grey Mare’s Tail is just as deserving of exploration. Hills such as White Coomb loom high above the fall and give climbers unbeatable views of northern England beyond. The park is also home to wild goats and many birds.

Scotland’s tenured tradition of science merges with her artistic culture at Crawick Multiverse, the utterly unique landscape art installation created by cultural theorist and designer Charles Jencks. The piece brings the cosmos down onto our level and represents it in intricately arranged natural elements. Thousands of boulders and fifty-five acres of land are just some of the tools used to mimic cosmological entities such as andromeda, the Milky Way, and even the multiverse.

A result of its sprawling nature, Crawick Multiverse is an incredibly fluid installation, taking on entirely new forms when viewed from different perspectives or under different weather conditions. This flows well with the erratic Scottish climate, as no one will experience the piece in the same way twice.

Should the celestial design of Crawick Multiverse pique your interest in outer space, then Galloway Forest Park provides one of the most sublime views of the night sky anywhere on Earth. With 300 square miles of forest protected from light pollution, visitors can choose a private spot to gaze at the inky black canvas with the ethereal Milky Way spread across it. By covering such a large area, Galloway Forest Park ensures that guests have limitless ways to enjoy their time there without disturbing others. Cycling, swimming, dog walking, or simply stargazing are all catered for perfectly in different spaces, with three visitor centres across the park.

Galloway Forest Park was the first night sky park in the United Kingdom and only the fourth globally. Although there are now over 100 throughout the world, this space in the south of Scotland is one of the few pedestalled as a Gold Tier park, an accolade that celebrates the awe-inspiring views on offer.

A space ripped from the pages of a fantasy novel, the striking Drumlanrig Castle is one of the most idyllic locations anywhere in the south of Scotland. Twin curved staircases guide visitors up to the entrance, deep in the intertwining shadows of the castle’s many towers and wings. The stunning pink sandstone exterior contains 120 separate rooms, a sign of the opulence of the 17th century Renaissance styling. Inside these rooms is an incredible collection of art and artefacts, including original works by Rembrandt and da Vinci, the majority of which come from the amassing of the Duke of Buccleuch.

However, the majesty of the Queensberry Estate stretches behind those immense walls – Drumlanrig itself is in fact the centrepiece of a staggering 90,000 acres of landscape. Snaking streams and high-peaked hills run side-by-side throughout this land, while countless fish, birds, and other creatures call the estate their home.

Following his crowning as king, the early months of Robert the Bruce’s reign over Scotland were characterised by defeats and fugitivity. This changed, however, when he reappeared with an army on the shores of Carrick and began preparations to meet the English at the nearby Glen Trool. It was here that the Bruce delivered his first blow against the enemy, scoring a small victory and forcing a retreat.

While this was not a catastrophic defeat for the English, it allowed Robert to push forward onto the weightier victory at Loudon Hill. As such, Bruce’s Stone commemorates what can be called a turning point in the Scottish Wars of Independence. The immense boulder was hauled atop the hill in 1929, 600 years after Robert’s death from illness, and has stood proudly ever since. For visitors, the stone also marks the foot of Merrick, a long hill walk.

The expansive Galloway Forest Park contains a multitude of hidden nooks and crannies to explore, and the Raiders’ Road is one such feature. While the park may be more closely associated with walking and cycling, it also welcomes drivers between the months of April and October to take one of the two forest vehicle routes. The Raiders’ Road, in particular, shows visitors the countless enchanting aspects of Galloway Forest Park without any strenuous walking, making it a wonderfully accessible way of enjoying the area.

The route runs for 10 miles and takes visitors through many unique stop-off points. Stops along the way include Otter Pool and the shore of Stroan Loch.

This article is produced in Partnership with Scotland Starts Here