The Scottish Borders has it all but it often gives way to the Highlands and Islands. If you’re not sure what the Scottish Borders has to offer on a motorhome adventure, read on and discover that it really does have something for everyone. This article focuses on the Tweed Valley area of the Scottish Borders, home to Zoom Motorhome Hire, and make sure you keep checking our website for upcoming blogs on other areas of the Scottish Borders. The Tweed valley is only a stone’s throw from Edinburgh and Glasgow and has good transport links from the Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh airport.
For the Adrenalin junkies out there, we have possibly the best mountain biking trails in the world.
For those who like the more gentle approach we have a Royal Botanic Garden, amongst many other beautiful open gardens, all within easy reach of each other whilst on a motorhome adventure.
For all you budding Historians there is a plethora of Castles and Abby’s, many ruined but many fully functioning. Read on for suggestions of places to visit and things to do.
For the mountain bikers in the Peebles area:
Glentress, 7Stanes – a full mountain biking hub with trails suitable for all levels and ages. Parking, café and bike hire all available here. For more info please visit
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/glentress
Innerleithen 7Stanes, Scottish Borders
Four “Bike Park Extreme” orange graded downhill trails and a challenging, red-graded cross country trail…definitely not for the faint hearted!!
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/innerleithen
Mountain trails, Innerleithen 7Stanes
If you love that rush of adrenalin there’s also the following
Go Ape tree top adventure…Imagine zip wiring at a height of 160 feet for 325 meters over the Glentress mountain biking trails and open water…If you’re not keen on heights I would go for a relaxing walk or a nice coffee at Glentress café.
https://goape.co.uk/locations/glentress-forest
Go Ape, Glentress Forest
If you fancy a jaunt along the river Tweed in a kayak, (or a white knuckle ride depending on the weather), check out ‘The Biggar Adventure’. They also offer a wide range of outdoor activities from Archery to rock climbing.
https://www.biggaradventure.co.uk/
Kayaking on the river Tweed with Biggar Adventure
A beautiful 45 minute drive from Peebles through dramatic scenery takes you to St Marys Loch, the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders measuring 5km long and 1 km wide. Here you can hire Stand up paddle boards and kayaks, a great family activity.
For more information about paddle board\kayak hire please contact Audrey at: audrey.power@btinternet.com
Facebook: Kayak and SUP Hire and Sales Scottish Borders
07974 344063
Booking is essential, please contact Audrey to book to avoid disappointment.
Paddle Boarding at St. Mary’s loch
A few miles past the loch you will get to The Grey Mares Tail, a spectacular 60-meter waterfall cascading down the cliff face from the awe inspiring Loch Skeen. You can walk up the steep rocky path alongside the waterfall to reach Loch Skeen. It’s a challenging walk but well worth the effort, you won’t be disappointed with the breath taking scenery here.
Grey Mares Tail – nr. St Mary’s loch
KAILZIE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
Want to try your hand at horse riding? Just a mile outside of Peebles you will find the Kailzie Equestrian Centre, offering beginners lessons and hacks through the beautiful Scottish Border’s. Booking is essential, please email: susykailzie@gmail.com or call 07703 165777
If you are not sure about exploring on horseback, there’s always the local Alpaca farm https://velvethall-alpacas.co.uk/ where you can take the Alpacas for a trek (another of my personal favourite local activities) and then hang out and feed them carrots after the trek.
For the Botanists
Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Scottish Borders
Perfect for all seasons, with carpets of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells in Spring, to the stunning Azalea terrace in early Summer, the amazing changing colours of Autumn as well as host to one of Scotland’s finest tree collections.
Facilities include an award winning Visitor Centre, Café and Shop.
https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/dawyck-botanic-garden/
Kailzie Gardens, Scottish Borders
Kailzie Gardens, Peebles
Just a mile outside Peebles, situated on the banks of the River Tweed, you will find the beautiful Kailzie gardens. With lovely woodland walks and the magnificent walled garden, home to a fine example of a Mackenzie & Moncur glasshouse full of beautiful plants and flowers, it really isn’t to be missed. There is also the delicious courtyard café where you can relax and have a leisurely lunch. Kailzie Gardens is also home to an “Osprey Watch” so if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of one.
One of my favourite times of the year to visit is Spring, when the ground turns into a sea of snowdrops
Kailzie Gardens, Peebles
One of my favourite times of the year to visit is Spring, when the ground turns into a sea of snowdrops
Kailzie Gardens – snowdrops
If you’re a budding historian, we highly recommend you visit the Scottish Borders:
Traquair house, Scottish Borders
Scotland’s oldest inhabited house dating back to 1107 and lived in by the Stuart family to this day since the late 1400’s. Traquair house has been visited by many Scottish Kings and Queens including Mary Queen of Scots.
It is just a few miles from Peebles and a great day out for all the family. There is so much history to soak up, a giant maze to spend hours getting lost within, a play area to wear the kids out (big and small), some lovely woodland walks with epic climbing trees along the way and Traquair House even has its own brewery! Once you’ve finished exploring why not head to the very picturesque Garden Café for a delicious home cooked bite to eat, followed by some retail therapy in the Craft workshops and Brewery shop. There really is something for everyone.
Traquair Maize
Neidpath Castle, Scottish Borders
A 14th century Keep, steeped in history, situated in the most picturesque setting high above the River Tweed.
A visit to Neidpath Castle offers a rare opportunity to see a medieval stronghold that has survived through centuries and long periods of neglect. The upper storeys of the tower’s wing had collapsed by the 1790’s, and it is partly due to a fortunate change in the line of inheritance that the remaining structure has been successfully maintained and improved to this day.
Today it is a hugely popular wedding venue and filming location. Tours are available by appointment only.
The (not always!!) more gentle approach…..
Walking
There are plenty of beautiful walks around the Tweed Valley to suit all different levels. We recommend you visit the “Go Tweed Valley” website https://www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/hiking where you will find a whole section for all levels of walkers.
Golf
Peebles has a gem of a golf course, designed by Harry Colt, it is fun and challenging and suitable for all ages. Situated above the town, overlooking the Tweed Valley, the views are incredible and keen golfers flock to from near and far. Even if you aren’t a golfer its worth a walk to the top just to get the views! https://www.peeblesgolfclub.com
Fishing
Obviously being situated on the River Tweed which is famous for its Salmon, fishing is very popular. It has a good long season from 1st February – 30th November, so as long as you are here between these dates you will be able to get a spot of fishing in. For more information, please visit https://www.fishpal.com/search/in/tweed
Shopping and Eating
Peebles is well on the independent high street map for its bustling High Street. With a plethora of fantastic shops, cafes and restaurants it’s a shoppers and foodies heaven. From an artisan baker, a master chocolatier, an artisan wine shop, a quality butchers to boutique clothes and gift shops we have it all!!
With all this on Zoom Motorhome Hire’s doorstep, you might be wondering where to stay and sneak in some stargazing. With minimal light pollution, we recommend the following places:
Glentress Forest Lodges
As well as the lodges there are 10 hard standing pitches with hook up and only couple of miles from Peebles, this is a great location to stay and to do some stargazing. https://www.glentressforestlodges.co.uk/
Tweedside Caravan Park
Situated in Innerleithen, right on the banks of the Tweed and just 15 minutes form Peebles, this is another lovely campsite, within easy walking distance of Innerleithen High Street and good bus links to Peebles.
Montgomery Street, Innerleithen EH44 6JS
For local overnight stopovers without facilities please go to
https://www.searchforsites.co.uk/
In short, the Tweed Valley is the ideal place to explore on a campervan or motorhome holiday in Scotland…..what are you waiting for, get your bags packed and get exploring!! Oh and P.S, remember there’s no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothes!!
Our Hire Vehicles
GASSY – Auto-Roller 707 (Automatic)
DORIS – Zefiro 696 (Manual)
HAGGIS – Auto-Roller 707 (Manual)
PEGGY – Zefiro 696 (Manual)
MUNRO – Auto-Roller 707 (Manual)