The Scottish Borders Private Day Tour with Scottish Local

Discover Floors Castle, Scotland’s largest inhabited Castle and visit one of the leading visitor attractions in the Scottish Borders. Floors Castle is one of the most iconic country houses in Scotland. This magnificent family seat is the largest inhabited house in Scotland, and has been home to eleven generations of the Duke’s of Roxburghe. Visit the Castle and explore the collection of fine art, tapestries, grand rooms and superb views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills to the south.

The scenic view of Scott's View is on the road from St Boswells to Kelso and then turning off towards Dryburgh Abbey. You will be able to come to the viewpoint from Melrose and St Boswells to admire the stunning view of the River Tweed and Eildon Hills. The hills serve as a reminder of the volcanic activity that once took place in the area. The lookout was known to be one of Sir Walter Scott's favourite places to come and reflect.

The William Wallace Statue in the grounds of the Bemersyde estate, near Melrose in the Scottish Borders is a statue commemorating William Wallace. It was commissioned by David Steuart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan, and it protected as a category B listed building. The statue was made of red sandstone by John Smith of Darnick and was erected in 1814. It stands 31 feet (9.4 m) high and depicts Wallace looking over the River Tweed.

Walk the picturesque town of Melrose and have some lunch, located next to the Eildon Hills and is the birthplace of Rugby Sevens. The triple peaks of the Eildon Hills are the most distinctive single landmark in the Scottish Borders. At their feet in the valley of the Tweed lies Melrose. Lunch Stop | Burts Hotel | Brasserie Experience the warmth of hospitality in true Scottish style at Burts Hotel, Melrose. The 18th century hotel, situated in the heart of Melrose’s picturesque market square, has been owned and managed by the Henderson family for almost 40 years. With dishes made from the finest local top quality ingredients, it’s no wonder Burts Hotel is renowned for its excellent cuisine.

Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale with lavishly decorated masonry. Probably the most famous ruin in Scotland, the abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, and it was largely destroyed by Richard II's English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century, and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland. Objects found during excavation are displayed in the Commendator's House. The exterior of this magnificent ruin is decorated by unusual sculptures, including hobgoblins, cooks with ladles and a bagpipe playing pig. The abbey is also thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, marked with a commemorative carved stone plaque within the grounds.

Abbotsford is the ancestral home of Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist and poet of “Waverley”, “Ivanhoe”, and “Lady of the Lake”. One of the most famous houses in the world, constructed on the ample proceeds of a literary career without parallel. It is an enduring monument to the achievements of its creator, the ‘Great Scott’ who popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels. Learn about Scott’s life in the exhibition, browse Abbotsford’s gift shop, or simply relax in Scott’s beautiful Regency Walled Gardens and tranquil woodlands.

Visit the oldest inhabited house in Scotland and discover its fascinating history. Once a pleasure ground for Scottish Kings, then a refuge for Catholic priests, the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost. Trace the footsteps of the kings of Scotland as you climb the turnpike staircase and discover how priests escaped in times of danger. When Mary Queen of Scots visited Traquair in 1566 a brewery was working, and in 1739 a 200 gallon copper was installed in one of the wings beneath the chapel. Having fallen into disuse for over 200 years, the brewery was rediscovered by Peter Maxwell Stuart, 20th Laird of Traquair who began brewing again in 1965. Traquair House Brewery now produces a selection of traditional Scottish ales. Strong, dark and deliciously rich, the ales are fermented in oak and have won awards all over the world.