Holiday rentals & lettings in the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders, or simply shorted to “The Borders” by locals, is a region along the Anglo-Scottish border in Southern Scotland and northern England. The area is best known for its medieval castles, abbeys, green countryside, quaint fishing villages, and great dining options. Walk through botanical gardens, visit picturesque harbours, and explore unique historic attractions. The Scottish Borders is an excellent holiday destination for history lovers, families, and couples seeking a quaint, charming getaway.

Enjoy a quintessential holiday in the rolling green hills of the Scottish Borders. This region boasts a wide range of holiday rentals, with a little something for every type of traveller. Book a rental in the middle of the countryside with a private balcony where you can enjoy uninterrupted views of nature. Opt for a rental with a large private garden and a hot tub. Rentals in the Scottish Borders are well-equipped with modern amenities to ensure your comfort throughout your stay, such as Wi-Fi, fully functioning kitchens, heating, and washing machines. A variety of rental sizes is available ranging from oversized rentals to suit large groups and families, to cosy smaller rentals for couples. Pet-friendly rentals are available for people travelling with pets.

The largest and nearest airport to The Scottish Borders is Edinburgh Airport. The airport offers regular regional and international flights. From the airport, you can easily reach your holiday rental via train, bus, taxi, or hire car. There are several car hire companies at the airport, as well as a train station in downtown Edinburgh.

The most recommended mode of transportation for getting around the Scottish Borders is to hire a car and drive yourself. This allows the most freedom and flexibility to explore the region throughout your holiday. However, travelling by bus and train are also viable options, although they may not be available to reach remote attractions and some small villages.

Spend an afternoon exploring the Dawyck Botanic Garden and Café with your significant other. Situated in the charming town of Peebles, the Dawyck Botanic Gardens are considered one of the best in the world. Any time of the year you can enjoy seasonal displays of colourful flora and fauna along tranquil walking paths. You’ll need at least a couple of hours to fully explore the gardens, and be sure not to miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal at the café before you go.

Explore a glimpse of the area’s rich and fascinating history at the Mary Queen of Scots’ Visitor Centre. Entry is free and the whole family will find something interesting to learn about here from the artefacts, collections, and informative displays. Also, be sure to visit the Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum which is free to visit. The museum is set in a stone fortress-like building. You can walk through the former jail to see the cells and learn information about the prisoners who were once housed here.

Situated in Melrose, the historic Abbotsford House is the former home of Sir Walter Scott. You can do an audio tour of the magnificent 1800s mansion to learn about his life. Throughout the tour you can walk through various rooms of his home, including his old study. Outside, you can stroll through the lovely gardens, stop by the visitor centre, and sit down at the café to enjoy delicious menu options.

Walk through the 12th-century ruins of Melrose Abbey. This medieval monastery was founded by Cistercian monks in 1136, and much of the structure still stands today. Spend an hour or so walking around discovering the ruins and admiring the unique architecture.

Enjoy a day trip to the charming Eyemouth Harbour. Walk along the quaint streets to admire the colourful buildings and explore the harbour area to see the fishing boats enter and leave. There are seals here which you can feed and plenty of nearby dining options to enjoy a meal.

If you’re a keen walker, head over to the picturesque Eildon Hills. Walk to the top of the main hill, which takes around and hour and is fairly easy. From the top, you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and lake below. There’s a top-rated golf course nearby as well.

Pop by the town of Kelso to see the incredible racecourse here. The racecourse is surrounded by beautiful scenery and is a smaller-scale course, which means spectators have better views of the horses. Be sure to check the horse-racing schedule before you show up. There are plenty of food and drink options here as well!