7+ road trips to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian

Scottish Borders Itineraries Map

All of the places to visit on these road trips are marked on my map, which can be downloaded to the Google Maps app on your smartphone.

Red – places to eat and stay, Yellow – places to visit, Blue – day trip locations

Day trips to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian

Looking for ideas for a a day trip to the Scottish Borders and Midlothian? Here are seven Scottish Borders itineraries and day trips to try.

Day Trip 1 – Eyemouth, crab butties and the coastal path at St Abbs

With its own St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve offering up spectacular cliffside walks, links to Hollywood (hint, it’s New Asgard) seals, diving, crab butties, fishing and seabirds galore, the village of St Abbs is a perfect for a day trip. 

Start by parking at St Abbs Head (NTS paid car park) and visit the reserve before continuing south to the beautiful sands of Coldingham Bay. Return to St Abbs for lunch before heading down to Eyemouth for an exhilarating RIB trip back around the reserve.

The last village in Scotland on the east coast, Burnmouth, is also well worth a stroll around the pretty harbour. 

• Get there: drive – 1.15 minutes from Edinburgh
• Walk: St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve (4 miles) and Coldingham Bay 
• Do: Take a RIB boat at Eyemouth up the coast to St Abbs, visit Burnmouth, Gunsgreen House at Eyemouth, Manderston House, the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum and Duns Castle Nature Reserve.  
• Eat at: Ebb Carrs Cafe, St Abbs or Oblo Bar in Eyemouth
• Make it a weekend: stay at the Allanton Inn*, for great local food and real ale, The Ships Quarters* Eyemouth and Chirnside Hall*

Read more: How to visit St Abbs

Day Trip 2 – The gateway to the Borders – explore Kelso

Described as the gateway to the Borders, the market town of Kelso is a great location for a day trip. Start your day at the huge Floors Castle and country estate, Scotland’s largest inhabited Castle and the family home of the 11th Duke of Roxburghe. There is a cafe, deli and gorgeous garden to explore. 

After lunch, visit Kelso Abbey. Founded in 1128 by monks, Kelso grew to be one of the one of the wealthiest abbeys in Scotland. After a stroll around Kelso, visit Smailholm Tower, a peel tower sitting on Lady Hill crag – a great shot for instagram! 

• Get there: drive – 1.15 minutes from Edinburgh
• Walk: hike part of the Borders Abbey Way from Kelso to Jedburgh
• Do: Floors Castle, Kelso Abbey, and Smailholm Tower, Mellerstain House & Gardens, Hume Castle, Roxburgh Castle  
• Eat at: Kelso has lots of places to eat and drink, including Scotland’s first Micropub!
• Make it a weekend: stay at the luxury Schloss Roxburghe* or the The Templehall Hotel*

Day Trip 3 – The Borders Towns – Jedburgh Abbey and Hawick 

Famous for its huge abbey, Jedburgh is another great town from which to explore the Borders. Start your day by heading up into the Cheviot Hills for a trek with alpacas at Beirhope Alpacas Farm, before visiting Born in the Borders for lunch.

In the afternoon either visit Jedburgh Abbey, Mary Queen of Scott’s House and Jedburgh Castle Jail or take the kids to Jacksons at Jedburgh – a great wee farm. Nearby, Hawick offers up knitwear and cashmere at the Borders Textile Towerhouse. 

• Get there: 1.20 minutes from Edinburgh 
• Walk: climb up to Peniel Heugh and the Waterloo Monument for an incredible Borders view
• Do: Beirhope Alpacas, Jedburgh Abbey, knitwear and cashmere at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, Fatlips castle, The Borders Distillery, Mary Queen of Scott’s House and Jedburgh Castle Jail, Jacksons at Jedburgh.
• Eat at: Born in the Borders,
• Make it a weekend: stay at Ruberslaw wild wood camping, the Auld Cross Keys Inn*, the Horse and Hound Country Inn*

Day Trip 4 – The Eildon Hills, St Boswell and the River Tweed 

In the heart of the Borders is St Boswell, a pretty little town which makes a great base for exploring some of the most popular parts of the region.

Start your day with a stroll to Scotts’ View – said to be Sir Walter Scott’s favourite view overlooking the Eildon Hills, before taking a photograph of the Leaderfoot Viaduct.

For lunch visit the great cafe at the Main Street Trading Company before visiting their bookshop and deli – I promise you won’t leave empty handed. In the afternoon either visit the famous Dryburgh Abbey, the resting place of Water Scott or climb the Eildon Hills. 

• Get there: 1 hour drive from Edinburgh
• Walk: climb the Eildon Hills or stroll along the River Tweed at Dryburgh Abbey
• Do: Scotts View, Dryburgh Abbey, visit Leaderfoot Viaduct
• Eat at: Main Street Trading Company 
• Make it a weekend: stay at Roulotte Retreat, The Buccleuch Arms*

Day Trip 5 – Abbotsford and Scott, Melrose Abbey

Melrose has a small town charm, a beautiful setting and more history than you can handle. It is home to one of the Scottish Borders four famous Abbeys and Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. Take time to wander around the town’s galleries and traditional shops (there is a great vintage shop!) and relax in the friendly Scottish Borders way of life.

• Get there: Drive – 1 hour south of Edinburgh. Borders Railway train to Tweedbank. Book your train tickets with trainline.com*.
• Walk: Explore Melrose and the River Tweed (3.5miles)
• Do: Melrose Abbey and the stunning Abbotsford, Harmony Garden and Priorwood Garden.
• Eat at: Good pub food at Tontine Hotel or the Abbey wine shop hides a cafe at the rear.
• Make it a weekend: Stay at Aikwood tower, the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel* or Burt’s Hotel*, Melrose

Day Trip 6 – Get outside at pretty Peebles and the 7 Stanes

With three of the 7 stanes mountain bike centres along with a Go Ape, Peebles is a popular day trip from Edinburgh especially for those who love to get outdoors.

Grab your bike and head to one of the miles of bike trails – try the beginner’s Upper Green Route at Glentress with its fabulous views across Peebles and for serious mountain bikers try the Innerleithen XC route.

If you prefer things a little more sedate, then after lunch in Peebles take a stroll through the gorgeous gardens at Dawyck Botanic Garden and visit Traquair House – the oldest inhabited house in Scotland with its brewery. 

• Get there: 1 hour drive from Edinburgh 
• Walk: Discover the Tweed Valley Forest Park at Glentress – not just for mountain bikers, or stroll along the river Tweed to Neidpath Castle.
• Do: Traquair House, Velvet Hall alpacas, Go Ape, Mountain biking at Glentress, Dawyck Botanic Garden.
• Eat at: the Tontine Hotel, Peebles, Whitmuir the Organic Place, a cafe and organic farm in Midlothian
• Make it a weekend: stay at Neidpath Castle*, Barns Castle*, the popular Peebles Hydro* or luxury Cringletie House*.

Read more – a stay at Neidpath Castle

Day trip 7 – Country parks and the Da Vinci Code in Midlothian

Just to the south of Edinburgh and bordered by West and East Lothian and the Scottish Borders to the south is Midlothian. Once containing the City of Edinburgh, Midlothian is now its own wee county – and there are lots of places to visit, all within 30 minutes of Edinburgh.

Why not hike in the magnificent Pentland Hills – the highest of the range is Scald Law, or visit the pretty Roslin Glen. Families will love the two country parks – Dalkeith Country Park and Vogrie Country Park, and history buffs will love Crichton Castle and Rosslyn Chapel. Head for lunch at the Secret Herb Garden – a specialist herb nursery with a very cool cafe. 

• Get there: up to 30 drive minutes south of Edinburgh
• Walk: climb the hills of the Pentlands (I love the capital view walk) stroll through pretty Roslin Glen 
• Do: Rosslyn Chapel, Dalkeith Country Park, Crichton Castle, Vogrie Country Park
• Eat at: Secret Herb Garden, The Paper Mill, The Restoration Yard – a lovely shop and restaurant in Dalkeith Country Park. Outlander fans will love Glencourse Old Kirk (by appointment) and Arniston House.
• Make it a weekend: Stay at Eastside Cottages – we love the Westside Woodshed, or at Barony Castle* and Dalhousie Castle Hotel*.

Midlothian and the Scottish Borders – 5 day road trip

• Day 1: Berwickshire – Discover St Abbs before head to Eyemouth for a rib trip. Stop at the beach at Coldingham Bay before having lunch at Ebb Carrs Cafe in St Abbs or Oblo Bar in Eyemouth. Stay at: the Allanton Inn*, for great local food and real ale, The Ships Quarters* in Eyemouth or Chirnside Hall*
• Day 2: Kelso – Start your day at the huge Floors Castle, After lunch visit Kelso Abbey founded in 1128. After a stroll around Kelso, visit Smailholm Tower. Stay at: the luxury Schloss Roxburghe* or the The Templehall Hotel*
• Day 3: Melrose – Get adventurous by going Alpaca Trekking with Beirhope Alpacas in the morning, visit Main Street Trading for Lunch and then discover the beautiful Abbotsford in the afternoon. Stay at: Aikwood tower, the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel* or Burt’s Hotel*, Melrose
• Day 4: Peebles – Start the day with mountain biking at Glentress or Traquair House before heading to Peebles for lunch. In the afternoon visit Dawyk Botanic Garden. Stay at Neidpath Castle*, Barns Castle*, the popular Peebles Hydro* or luxury Cringletie House*.
• Day 5 – Midlothian – Why not hike in the magnificent Pentland Hills – the highest of the range is Scald Law, or visit the pretty Roslin Glen. Head to the Paper Mill for lunch and then spend the afternoon at Rosslyn Chapel before heading home. 

Midlothian and the Scottish Borders 7-day road trip (a week in the Scottish Borders)

Time needed: 7 days
7 days in the Scottish Borders itineraries

• Day 1: St Abbs – Discover the St Abbs Nature Reserve, head to Eyemouth for a rib trip. Stop at the beach at Coldingham Bay before having lunch at Ebb Carrs Cafe in St Abbs or Oblo Bar in Eyemouth. Stay at: the Allanton Inn*, for great local food and real ale, The Ships Quarters* in Eyemouth or Chirnside Hall*
• Day 2: Kelso – Start your day at the huge Floors Castle. After lunch visit Kelso Abbey founded in 1128. After a stroll around Kelso, visit Smailholm Tower. Stay at: the luxury Schloss Roxburghe* or the The Templehall Hotel*
• Day 3: Jedburgh – Get adventurous by going Alpaca Trekking with Beirhope Alpacas in the morning, before exploring Jedburgh Abbey Mary Queen of Scott’s House and Jedburgh Castle Jail in the afternoon. Stay at: Ruberslaw wild wood camping, the Auld Cross Keys Inn*, the Horse and Hound Country Inn*
• Day 4: Melrose – Visit Dryburgh Abbey, then visit Main Street Trading for lunch and shopping before visiting Smailholm Tower, Scotts View and the Leaderfoot viaduct. Stay at: Aikwood tower, the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel* or Burt’s Hotel*, Melrose
• Day 5: Melrose – climbing up into the Eildon Hills in the morning and then discover the beautiful Abbotsford in the afternoon.
• Day 6: Peebles – Start the day with mountain biking at Glentress or the much more sedate Traquair House before heading to Peebles for lunch. In the afternoon visit Dawyk Botanic Garden. Stay at: Neidpath Castle*, Barns Castle*, the popular Peebles Hydro* or luxury Cringletie House*.
• Day 7: Midlothian – In the morning, hike in the magnificent Pentland Hills, the highest of the range is Scald Law, or visit the pretty Roslin Glen. Head to the Paper Mill in Lasswade for lunch and then spend the afternoon at Rosslyn Chapel before heading home. 

Ready to plan your Scottish Borders Road Trip?

Read more: My complete guide to the Scottish Borders

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Love, from Scotland x