Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders is a rolling, agricultural region between Edinburgh and the English border, characterised by rounded hills, wooded river valleys and four spectacular ruined abbeys – Melrose, Jedburgh, Kelso and Dryburgh – that were destroyed by English armies during the wars of the 16th century. The area is consistently underrated by travellers heading straight to the Highlands, and this relative lack of attention is one of its main advantages for van travel.

Melrose Abbey is perhaps the finest of the four – the pink sandstone tracery of the windows is extraordinary despite the roofless state of the nave, and the abbey garden below the ruins is worth time in its own right. Dryburgh Abbey where Sir Walter Scott is buried has a more serene setting in a loop of the Tweed, and the walk between the two abbeys along the Tweed is one of the better short routes in the Borders.

The Tweed Valley itself gives some of the best cycling in Scotland on the disused railway lines and estate roads along the river. The Tweed Cycleway is well-marked and passes through Peebles, Innerleithen and the mill towns of the valley. Traquair House near Innerleithen is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland and still brews its own ale.

The Eildon Hills above Melrose are a triple-peaked volcanic intrusion that dominate the valley and give wide views in all directions from the top. Overnight options in the Borders are spread throughout the valley towns and the hills, with Melrose, Jedburgh and Kelso all having reasonable overnight parking options.