Stretching southward from Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh to the English border, the Borders Historic Route invites you to slow down and uncover a landscape filled with unique stories and sights. Following the flow of the A7, the route is around 90 miles long. Though not one of the longest driving routes in Scotland, it packs in a wide variety of sights. So don’t whizz through and instead take the time to immerse yourself.  

This corridor has been a crucial travel and trading route for centuries. Whether you make your way north from Carlisle, or south from Edinburgh, you are following in the footsteps of notorious Reivers and wealthy merchants alike. Today, the route takes you past the industrial heritage of Midlothian and into the rural landscapes of the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. Weave your way through the rolling hills and past iconic rivers, to discover grand estates and castles, textile heritage, and ancient tales that have shaped Scottish history.

The Borders Historic Route is your gateway to some of the country’s most fascinating sights. Here, every mile tells a story.