SMAILHOLM is not only a tower to look at, no, it also comes with it's surrounding hills, walkways…read moreand amazing views towards Kelso, Northumberland and much more. On a good sunny day the views are clear and breathtaking. Fresh air, hummingbirds and solace are your companions. Best way is down the A68. It's not far from Kelso in the Borders. The 20 meter high tower is still in tact, and although some of the outbuildings might be destroyed, you can still feel its strength. The lands were once held by the powerful Pringle family of which a few family members gave their lives in the nearby battle of Flodden. On occasion the lands and tower were subject to raids from the English. Smailholm is also linked to Sir Walter Scott and his connection and inspirations are presented in various rooms in the castle. On the ground floor there is a small Historic Scotland shop and the admission is £4.50 for an adult. Commissions apply. No toilets. Open summer only. There is a little walk up the hill towards the castle, such not really ideal for wheelchairs. Don't miss out on the fantastic views from the roof top!

This looks small from the outside It is a short walk up to…read morethe tower from the car park Inside it has a suprising amount there is a gift shop in the first room and an exhibition on the castle It was built as a 15th century pele towers to protect against the maurding english and steal the cattle and there are some interesting stories about the raids Throughout the rooms over the four storeys are figures in cases represeting the lift of walter scott His poem Marmion mentions smailhom The roof gives a lovely view of the surronding area but be careful as the steps up are very steep

This is a not very wel known castle ruin on top of a hill near norham castle its on a side road off…read morethe a698 and you stop at the bridge where there is room for two or three cars Its a walk up the hill and be careful with little ones and a climb over a still but well worth it when you get up there and if you are adventorous you can explore the ruin It was a 15th century tower house with had a mansion built onto it in the 18th century which was never finished and which went to ruin so it ended up as kind of a folly but an unfinished one Dont think many people go here as its not that well known but worth a look

Twizel has become very close to my heart, as my other half's brother had his ashes scattered here…read more Twizel castle is, as sharnad pointed out, one of Northumberland's sadly lesser known ruined castles. I say sadly, because it is really a beautiful spot, with a great position next to the Till. As well as an explore of the ruins themselves, there is also a large circular walk (running through the Tillmouth Estate?) but be careful, it becomes VERY muddy when wet!

You might have dined at the Goblin Ha' in Gifford but this, ladies and gents is the Real Deal…read more There is no website (the link here gives you directions), there are no guided tours. This is a 12th century fortification, with it's visible ruins barely there but down below, an amazingly preserved hall, where, it is thought, Hugo de Gifford, the first wizard of East Lothian (I might have made the 'first' bit up) practiced his magic there. It's absolutely fantastic. You will need a good torch, as it gets really dark in there. After a crouched entrance through an archway, it opens up to the stunning hall. Another steps to the left takes you down to a well. You really, really, need a torch. Bats live here, so tread considerately, my friend. The best way to find Yester Castle is to use co-ordinates: Yester Castle: 55.891366N 2.711065W There is a path (Yester Path) that runs around the base, but you have to go off the main track up a hill to find the fort - sometimes the best places don't make it easy for you to find them. We entered the track from the Duns Road, opposite Danskine Loch (parking is limited to the verge and be considerate to the private property here), but there is also access from the Golf Course. I should also mention, being February after a winter of incessant rain, it was insanely muddy, and I didn't make it out there without skiting around on my butt. An absolute gem, that kicks the pants out of any tourist attraction in this area.

This is a sleeper hit--small but memorable. Seeing what a historical border house looks like is…read moreinteresting. The audio guide is fantastic. I know much more about Mary than I did before my tour. Pro tip, grab a takeaway lunch and eat in the lovely gardens before your tour. Please donate generosity! They don't ask for enough money and it take more than sheep to keep that garden trimmed and looking beautiful.

The best place to park is in the free car park with the bottle bank on the main road and the house…read moreis a street away, its well signed It was £3 to get in but has a really good audio tour included The tour starts downstairs in the gift shop and works its way up through the house to a suprsing number of rooms A very detailed tour with some rooms set out the way they would have been when she was there and a lot of information on here life and its downfall There are lots of boards to read and mementos from her life and some very touching info from before she was excecuted Its a very interesting place I now know a lot more about mary queen of scots Well worth a visit when you are in jedburgh

This lovely building is a prominent landmark in Galashiels, found at the top of Bank Street. It…read moredates from 1867, having been built by Robert Hall & Co. From 1924-27 there were substantial additions by the architect, R.S. Lorimer, chiefly consisting of Scottish Renaissance-style buildings including the clock tower, war memorial and a three storey extension. The building is mainly used as the burgh chambers and the rest of it houses the council offices. I can't write much about the interior as I haven't been inside but I have read it is very beautiful (fine entrance hall, quality timber panelling, decorative wrought iron work, painted panel depicting the town motto, 'Sour Plums', brass ram light fittings and a mural of Pan). The basement was once used as a police station and apparently some evidence of the cells remains. My photo was taken from the guest house where we stayed a while ago really a lovely view of the Burgh Chambers from there and some of the attractive surrounding countryside.

Really lovely stop. The abbey ruins are haunting. Still thinking about our time there days later…read more The audio guide is superb. Get it! Walk into town afterwards for lunch, Jedburgh charmed us. Jedburgh is worth going out of your way for.

We were told that only a small portion of the abbey would be closed due to hazardous conditions…read more Unfortunately, we were deceived as the entire chapel is closed. Save you pounds and go elsewhere.

ZERO STARS. It closes at 5:00PM and when we arrived at 4:43 they wouldn't allow us in, saying they…read moreonly let people in who arrive by 4:30. When I explained that we came all the way from America to see it and could she make an exception, she said, "No. If I let you in I'd have to make that exception for everyone.". Extremely rude!! Skip this stop on your visit.

Visited April 2015: "Border town attraction"…read more We didn't think we were going to spend a great deal of time at Melrose Abbey, due to it being a ruin but there was more to do then our first glance. For one, we were able to walk up a very narrow staircase, to the top of the church. You were able to see the entire village, and not feel overwhelmed by the height. Robert Bruce's heart is buried there. We were not provided or offered an audio guide

Just had my son's wedding here and stayed two nights in the castle as well. Can't say enough…read morewonderful things about our experience, everything was absolutely perfect. Jenna, Jamie, and all of the staff are simply amazing. Beautiful, peaceful grounds provided the most beautiful backdrop for indeed a very special day.

Definitely recommend! The tour guide Lesley is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are beautiful…read moreinside, and you can take photos and videos. Super interesting to hear the history of the castle! Can take an uber from Edinburgh, but will have to call a private car for a ride to the closest train station.