Best Landmarks in Roxburghshire

The Scott Monument is a striking Gothic spire standing 61 meters tall in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. It is the largest monument dedicated to a writer in the world, commemorating the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott. Visitors can climb its 287 narrow steps to multiple viewing platforms offering panoramic city views, explore a museum room with stained-glass windows and literary exhibits, and admire the white Carrara marble statue of Scott and his dog at its base.

SCHLOSS Roxburghe, part of Destination by Hyatt, is a striking Jacobean country estate hotel set on 300 acres of scenic parkland near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Featuring a historic manor house and a modern extension, it offers 78 elegant rooms and suites, 51 self-catering cottages, a championship golf course, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options focused on fresh, local produce. This family-friendly luxury retreat blends traditional charm with contemporary comforts, ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities.

The Duddo Five Stones is a prehistoric stone circle located near Duddo in Northumberland, England, dating back around 4,000 years to the Early Bronze Age. Originally comprising seven stones, five remain standing today, set on a grassy knoll with panoramic views of the Cheviot and Lammermuir Hills. This evocative site, steeped in legend and archaeological mystery, invites contemplation of ancient rituals and the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The Waterloo Monument near Jedburgh is a 150-foot Doric column erected between 1817 and 1824 to commemorate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Set atop Peniel Heugh hill, it offers commanding views of the Scottish Borders landscape. Though public access to the tower’s interior is limited, the monument remains a striking historical landmark visible for miles around.

Greenknowe Tower is a striking 16th-century L-plan tower house built in 1581 by James Seton near Gordon in the Scottish Borders. Though roofless, its well-preserved stonework showcases late Renaissance defensive architecture with thick walls, gun-holes, and a single fortified entrance. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, this hilltop ruin offers a compelling glimpse into Renaissance-era Scottish domestic and military design, set within the pastoral landscape of the Borders.

Coxon's Tower is one of the last remaining medieval towers on Berwick-upon-Tweed's famous Elizabethan town walls. Originally a tall medieval fortification, it was transformed in the 16th and 18th centuries into a gun platform guarding the river estuary. The tower offers a fascinating glimpse into Berwick’s turbulent history, with surviving vaulted ceilings and casemates reflecting layers of military architecture from medieval to early modern times.

Kelso, located in the Scottish Borders, is a charming historic town known for its medieval origins, picturesque cobbled square, and the ruins of Kelso Abbey. Once a thriving medieval burgh, Kelso offers visitors a rich archaeological and cultural experience, with connections to ancient settlements, royal history, and the scenic Tweed Valley. The town blends historic architecture with vibrant local life, making it a compelling destination for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking authentic Scottish heritage.

Brow Well, near Ruthwell in Dumfries and Galloway, is a historic iron-rich spring famed for its healing waters, notably visited by Robert Burns in 1796 seeking relief from rheumatic fever. Nestled beside the Solway Firth and surrounded by rural landscapes, this modest but culturally significant site offers a glimpse into 18th-century health practices and Burns’ personal history.

Dryhope Tower is a ruined 16th-century peel tower overlooking St Mary's Loch in the Scottish Borders, steeped in Border history and legend. Built around the 1530s–1550s as a defensive stronghold for the Scott family, this four-storey tower features vaulted basements, gunloops, and the remains of a protective barmkin courtyard. Famous as the home of Mary Scott, the 'Flower of Yarrow'—an ancestor of Sir Walter Scott—the tower was slighted in 1592 by King James VI but rebuilt by 1613. Today, this scheduled monument stands as a haunting reminder of the turbulent Border Reiver era.

Perched on the Eildon Hills near Melrose, Rhymer's Stone is a historic monument erected in 1929 by the Melrose Literary Society. It marks the legendary spot where Thomas the Rhymer, a 13th-century Scottish laird and prophet, allegedly met the Faerie Queen beneath the ancient Eildon Tree. The accompanying viewpoint offers sweeping vistas across the Scottish Borders landscape, including the striking Leaderfoot Viaduct spanning the River Tweed—a structure that seemingly fulfilled one of Thomas's own prophecies. Free to visit and accessible year-round, this atmospheric site blends medieval folklore with stunning natural scenery.