South of Scotland Attractions & Sightseeing

Annay Road, Melrose, , Scottish Borders TD6 9LW

A new visitor centre by the River Tweed in Melrose, combining a garden centre with coffee shop and gift shop.

Abbotsford, , Scottish Borders

This is the house built and lived in by Sir Walter Scott, novelist and author of timeless classics. The house has a fine collection of historic relics, weapons and armour, and a large library of rare volumes.

Bank Street, , Dumfries & Galloway DG12 6AA

Houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Annan. This is a fascinating walk through time from the prehistoric period right up to the first world war with interactives and children’s activities.

Kilmarnock, , Ayrshire & Arran KA2 3NJ

Discovered only in 1986 the site is well preserved with very clear carvings in the red sandstone. There are around 150 motifs including cups and multiple rings

Galashiels, , Scottish Borders

These public gardens, planted and maintained by Scottish Borders Council, stretch along Bank Street in Galashiels.

Nr Melrose, , Scottish Borders

The grounds of this 16th century peel tower with its attached added-on mansion house. Gardens laid out by Field Marshal Earl Haig.

Biggar, , Scottish Borders

Find out how gas was made from coal in the only preserved gasworks in Scotland. Built in 1839, Biggar Gas Works remains just as it was when it closed in 1973 following the arrival of North Sea gas.

Nr Kelso, , Scottish Borders

The monks of Kelso Abbey founded the church at Bowden around 1128, although only some fragments in the west gable and north wall survive from this original structure. The original church was a rectangular building to which transepts were added in the 15th century.

Nr Selkirk, , Scottish Borders

his is the Scottish Borders home of the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry. K.T. The house itself contains an outstanding art collection, with a wide range of work from the masters, tapestries and superb French furniture, Sevres and Meissen china, and silver.

209 King Street, Castle Douglas, , Dumfries & Galloway DG7 1DT

Meet the brewer, learn the secrets of preparing traditionally crafted ales, and see for yourself the care and skill that goes into making a fine hand brewed Scottish pint using 100% natural ingredients.

Isle of Arran, , Ayrshire & Arran KA27 8HY

Brodick Castle offers visitors a remarkably complete example of a stately home to enjoy, plus some excellent gardens and a country park.

12 High Street, Kirkcudbright, , Dumfries & Galloway DG6 4JX

18th century town house of the Murrays of Broughton and Cally, which was bought in 1901 by E A Hornel, the renowned artist and member of the 'Glasgow Boys'. Between 1901 and 1933 he added an art gallery and a studio overlooking the fascinating garden with Japanese influences.

Burns Street, , Dumfries & Galloway DG1 2PS

The house retains much of it's eighteenth century character and contains many relics of the poet. There is the chair in which he wrote his last poems, many original letters and manuscripts, and the famous Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of his work.

Murdoch's Lone, Alloway, , Ayrshire & Arran KA7 4PQ

The world renowned Scottish Bard and Poet, Robert Burns, or Rabbie as he is more commonly known, was born in the wee whitewashed thatched cottage over 200 years ago and it was his formative years in Ayrshire that sowed the seeds of his literary talents.

Glencaple, Dumfries, , Dumfries & Galloway DG1 4RU

Lapped by the waters of its broad moat. Coupled with its shape, an equilateral triangle with its apex at the huge northern gatehouse, the result is intriguing and instantly pleasing to the eye

Gatehouse-of-Fleet, , Dumfries & Galloway DG7

For a castle designed primarily to house the family of the local laird, Cardoness enjoys a remarkably strong defensive position, on a rocky bluff overlooking the northern end of Fleet Bay a mile south west of Gatehouse of Fleet

Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, , Dumfries & Galloway DG7 2EH

For a castle designed primarily to house the family of the local laird, Cardoness enjoys a remarkably strong defensive position, on a rocky bluff overlooking the northern end of Fleet Bay.

The Arched House, Ecclefechan, , Dumfries & Galloway DG11 3DG

he Arched House, in which Thomas Carlyle was born on 4 December 1795, was built by his father and uncle (who were both master masons) in 1791. Carlyle was a great writer and historian and one of the most powerful influences on 19th century British thought.

Creetown, , Dumfries & Galloway

Carsluith Castle is an impressive 16th century L-plan tower house, with 18th century ranges of outhouses that are still in use. The main block is a 15th century keep of three storeys, with a fine first floor hall.

Stair Estates, Rephad, , Dumfries & Galloway

The gardens are extensively landscaped with terraces, mounds and avenues, all of which were created by men and horses, and extend to more than 30 hectares.