A Day in the Borders Countryside

Cross Kirk, Peebles

An attraction

Hidden away in the centre of Peebles stand the imposing ruins of a church with links to Santa Claus! Cross Kirk was founded in the mid-1200s and legend says that it once held relics belonging to St Nicholas. Nobody knows exactly how those saintly remains came to be in this small Borders town, but for 500 years, this place was an important place of worship and integral to Peebles’ history. The roofless building is usually a quiet place to wander and the perfect place to start the day. If you’re like me, you won’t want to leave Peebles without detouring down to Forsyths on the main street to pick up one of their famous pies too!

Traquair House

An attraction

Step inside Scotland’s oldest inhabited building and marvel at 900 years of life at Traquair House. Established as a royal hunting lodge in the 12th century, it would eventually pass to the Stuarts who became lairds and still live there today. Somehow, the family managed to walk the tightrope of Scottish politics through the centuries, even while defying the government by remaining Catholic and later supporting the Jacobite cause! Inside the house, my favourite artefact is the crib used by the baby James VI when his mother Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Traquair. Outside, the hedge maze can be equal parts fun and frustrating… St Mary's Loch 25-minute drive As you head deeper into the Borders countryside, the scenery begins to get wilder, with winding roads between rough, heather-clad hills. Suddenly, St Mary’s Loch appears alongside the road through the Yarrow Valley. It’s the largest loch in the Borders and on a sunny day expect to find lots of paddle-boarders and wild swimmers exploring its depths. Look for the shining white statue of James Hogg – the Ettrick Shepherd. While a farmer by trade, Hogg was a self-taught writer as well and a close friend of Walter Scott. His work was often a little too rough and rude for Edinburgh’s high society, but his novel Confessions of a Justified Sinner is one of the great pieces of Scottish literature. Lunch at The Glen Café Right beside Hogg’s statue, the Glen Café has become a popular roadside stop for soups, sandwiches and coffees served by friendly folk.

More infoMore about Traquair House

Grey Mare's Tail

An attraction

The road south follows one of Scotland’s most scenic routes, passing right alongside the Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall. While the top can be seen from near the car park, the only way to get the full perspective is to go for a short hike. Short, but steep. It’s a bit of a lung-bursting uphill to begin with, gradually easing off until you can see the waterfall cascading the full 60 metres down into the gorge. Since it’s fed by Loch Skeen, the Grey Mare’s Tail is impressive even during a dry spell! Keep your eyes open for the wild goats that frequent the area!

Moffat Toffee Shop

An attraction

While it’s technically over the border into Dumfries & Galloway, no visit to this corner of Scotland would be complete without stopping in Moffat. The town is famous for Moffat Toffee, which dates back to the 19th century and can be picked up from the dedicated shop on the main street!

Stobo Kirk

An attraction

It’s easy to drive right past Stobo Kirk without ever realising that it’s there, but this is one of my favourite small churches in all of Scotland. The core of this building dates back to the 12th century, but it’s thought that St Mungo founded a chapel here in the 500s! The most famous legend associated with Stobo is that Merlin from the Arthurian Legends is said to have been baptised by Mungo nearby. The story is remembered in a stained-glass window, alongside old carved graveslabs and beautiful internal stonework. No matter how often I visit, this is a place that always feels both powerful and peaceful.

Great Polish Map of Scotland

An attraction

Tucked away in the grounds of Barony Castle is one of Scotland’s most unusual landmarks. Created in the 1970s by Polish veteran Jan Tomasik, the Great Polish Map of Scotland is an enormous topographical map of the country! Built as a tribute to the thousands of Polish soldiers who found refuge and friendship in Scotland during and after the Second World War, it remains a symbol of the bond between the two nations.