Edinburgh Estate Agents
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Edinburgh
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Covering an area of approximately 1,800 sq miles, the Scottish Borders is characterised by a landscape of rolling hills and moorland, gentle sweeping valleys and rich agricultural plains, as well as a picturesque coastline with rocky cliffs and secluded beaches.
The area has a very interesting and rich history, including bloody battles, magnificent castles and literary greats, thanks to its geographical location in the south of Scotland, on the border with England.
The Strutt & Parker Edinburgh office operates throughout the Borders, covering Berwickshire, Peeblesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire, selling a broad range of properties from cottages to country mansions, farmhouses and equestrian properties.
Things to do in the Scottish Borders
The Tweed Cycle Way connects Biggar to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, or if you fancy a more adventurous cycle, head to one of the two 7stanes mountain biking centres in the region.
For walkers, the Berwickshire Coastal Path, running from the fishing village of St Abbs along the cliff tops and beaches to Eyemouth, is extremely popular and the Scottish Borders Walking Festival attracts people from all over the UK and Europe for organised walks throughout the region.
The River Tweed and its tributaries attract anglers from around the globe; it is ranked among the top salmon rivers in the world. The second longest river in Scotland, it flows eastward for nearly a hundred miles through the scenic Borders countryside to the North Sea.
The Scottish Borders’ history is strongly linked with horses: Border Reivers, Common Ridings, point to point, eventing, racing, polo, endurance, vaulting and pony club activities. Kelso Races is the home of National Hunt Racing in the Borders and is an ideal place for anyone to visit, from a first time race goer to a seasoned professional. The Borders Festival of the Horse is a unique 10-day celebration of all types of equestrian activity, from carriage driving to guided rides and competitions.
The Scottish Borders is also a great location for adrenaline-fuelled watersports. The coastal waters, fast flowing rivers and tranquil lochs all combine to make the region perfect for a range of activities, from surfing and sailing to diving.
Why we love the Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is often referred to as Scotland’s premier textile manufacturing region. The textile industry has a rich and established heritage, creating many of the world’s iconic products including tartan, cashmere, wool and tweed. You can follow the Textile Trail to learn more about this industry and purchase a garment, or two!
The area is well known for its good quality, fresh, local produce with a bountiful natural larder at its disposal. Whether you're after a quick bite to eat or looking for something more substantial, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes. Experience the warmth of hospitality in true Scottish style at Burt’s Hotel, Melrose. From farm to fork, dine at The Lodge at Carfraemill near Lauder, a family run establishment with an award-winning restaurant.
Our top annual events
Our Edinburgh office love the Common Riding, celebrated throughout the Border towns, taking place annually in May and June. Ride outs involve hundreds of horses and attract large crowds, gathering from all around the world, as Borderers pay their respects to those who risked their lives protecting the townspeople and land boundaries.
If you’re a fan of rugby, you definitely don’t want to miss the Melrose Sevens. Since 1883, this event has taken place every April, with teams now coming from all over the world to compete in this 7-a-side rugby tournament.
The Borders Book Festival claims to be one of Scotland's premier literary events with many famous authors and celebrities taking part. The four day festival is set at Harmony House and Garden, the National Trust for Scotland's stunning Georgian property in Melrose. There is a jam packed programme for all the family, featuring talks and readings, plus family entertainment and activities including food, comedy tales, wine tastings, book sales and children's fun.
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Key villages & towns in Scottish Borders
Kelso
Once described by Sir Walter Scott as the ‘prettiest, if not the most romantic town in Scotland’, the thriving market town of Kelso has the largest cobbled market square in Scotland, the perfect setting for the town’s diverse array of independent shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. At the nearby Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, visitors can walk around the grounds and gardens and sample the local produce in the café and well-stocked deli.
Melrose
Melrose, birthplace of 7s rugby, lies at the foot of the Eildon Hills, one of the region’s most distinctive landmarks. The walls of Melrose Abbey are decorated with unusual carvings including hobgoblins and even a bagpipe playing pig!
Peebles
The picturesque town of Peebles straddles The River Tweed and is well known as an arts destination; many visitors make the trip to enjoy the wide range of local contemporary and traditional art. The Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre attracts touring theatre companies, performing visual arts, dance, craft, music and cinema all year round. The town is also a hotspot for mountain biking, being well-placed for Glentress and the surrounding hills.
Hawick
The largest of the Border towns, Hawick lies right on the Scottish/English border. It plays host to the annual Reivers Festival, a celebration to commemorate the lives of the ‘Borderers’, featuring re-enactments, music and crafts, and ending with a spectacular bonfire and firework display. Hawick is also well-known for producing some of the most luxurious cashmere and merino wool knitwear in the world.
Jedburgh
Jedburgh is an attractive market town on the banks of Jed Water, and is dominated by the substantial ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Other notable buildings in the town include Mary, Queen of Scots' House and Jedburgh Castle Jail, now a museum.
Selkirk
The royal burgh of Selkirk lies on the Ettrick Water, a tributary of the River Tweed. It is home to Scotland's oldest horse racing track, the Gala Rig, which is located on the outskirts of the town. Try the famous Selkirk Bannock, a fruity loaf said to have been a favourite of Queen Victoria’s when she visited the region.
Schools in the area
The Scottish Borders benefits from many excellent state schools
The Borders' educational offering mainly comprises 63 primary and 9 secondary schools, including Channelkirk, Heriot, Melrose primaries and Earlston, Kelso, Selkirk and Hawick High Schools.
The highly regarded St Mary's School in Melrose is an independent co-educational preparatory school for day pupils and boarders. Longridge Towers, a private secondary school is just south of the Border in Northumberland.
For a more comprehensive list of schools in Aberdeenshire we recommend the Good Schools Guide.
Transport links
By train
The Borders Railway project is currently underway and is on track for completion in the summer of 2015. The 30 mile route will link Edinburgh Waverley with Stow, Galashiels and Tweedbank in approximately 55 minutes.
By train
The A7 and A68 are the two principal roads in the Borders, connecting Edinburgh with Carlisle and Newcastle respectively. The M74 runs just to the west of the region, running from Glasgow into England, via Carlisle.
The undulating hills and forest trails are a perfect way to appreciate the breathtaking, natural beauty of the Scottish Borders on foot or on two wheels.