Exploring the Scottish Borders

Rutherford House is well placed for exploring the Scottish Borders. The area has beautiful scenery as well as attractive old towns, ruined abbeys, castles, grand houses, galleries, a rich textile heritage and local food producers.

Our nearest town is Kelso, about 7 miles away. A little further afield are the attractive riverside towns of Melrose, Jedburgh and Coldstream. Hawick is the largest of the Border towns and internationally famous for fine quality knitwear and cashmere. It is home to the Borders Distillery and the Borders Textile Towerhouse. Continuing the textiles theme, The Great Tapestry of Scotland can be visited in Galashiels.

There are many artisan producers and shops in the Scottish Borders selling a wide range of locally produced food. Look out local Borders specialties including Selkirk bannocks, Kelsae cobbles and Hawick balls. Kelso Farmers Market is held on the 4th Saturday of every month in the central town square.

Heritage

The south of Scotland has had a long and chequered history with many battles fought in the area. The region’s turbulent past can be seen in its four great ruined abbeys of Jedburgh, Melrose, Dryburgh and Kelso, and the castles and fortified towers that dot the countryside. Hume castle, Smailholm tower and Cessford castle are all within easy visiting distance.

There are many grand houses and gardens to visit in the area including Floors Castle, Monteviot House, Mellerstain House, Manderston, Paxton House, Abbotsford, Bowhill House and Traquair.

Berwickshire Coast

We are about an hour’s drive away from the Berwickshire coast with its coastal villages, rocky headlands and quiet, sandy beaches. You can swim at Coldingham Bay, walk up to Lighthouse at St Abbs and eat fish and chips and icecreams in the old fishing town of Eyemouth.

Golf

Visitors are warmly welcomed at both the Hirsel Golf Club in Coldstream and the Schloss Roxburghe Championship Golf Course, about 4 miles outside Kelso.