Six days on your Bike on the Borderloop

Starting from Melrose you head southeast through Newtown St Boswell and just a little further on you’ll find the grounds of Dryburgh Abbey. If you’ve time, explore this Abbey where Sir Walter Scott is buried and there are toilets available.   

From here you will climb up to take in the wonderful Scott’s View across the River Tweed to the Eildon hills. From here the route runs through rolling farmlands with a few climbs culminating in a last push to reach the town of Duns.  

Duns is famous for two residents, the first being John Duns Scotus, the great medieval philosopher who taught at the University of Paris during the 14th century. A more recent inhabitant was Jim Clark, a farmer turned race car driver who won the Formula One World Cup in 1963 and 1965. There is a museum commemorating his achievements and offering a simulation of what his drive might have felt like. 

The north and east walls of Coldingham Priory withstood a siege in the time of Oliver Cromwell and were subsequently incorporated into the present-day church. The Luckenbooth is a community owned venture situated near the entrance to the Priory, which houses an ‘interpretation centre’ that has interactive displays to further explain the working of the Priory and history of the village. 

This award-winning golden sandy beach is a delight as is the local scenery. Popular with surfers there are rows of beach huts and in the summer local amenities. 

The picturesque fishing village of St Abbs Head offers spectacular views at the end of this route spur. The seas around are home to Britain’s first Voluntary Marine Reserve established on 18 August 1984 by David Bellamy. There is a coffee shop open from May- September to have a bite to eat and catch your breath before returning to the route and heading for Eyemouth. 

A wonderful harbour village, Eyemouth does not disappoint with multiple choices for eateries, a wonderful local museum, a town trail to explore and the possibility of a trip out of the harbour on a Rib for sightseeing options. 

Once you have left Eyemouth behind you may wish to consider a stop at the exquisite 18th century Palladian Paxton House. In addition to guided tours, lovely grounds and fantastic views over the River Tweed, there is an excellent education on how its owner engineered to bring fresh water to a storage tank in the house from the local stream far below the level of the house. The beam engine that achieved this was pioneering technology for its time. And not far from Paxton House is the Union Chain Bridge. Built in 1820 by Royal Naval Captain Sir Samuel Brown under the guidance of Scottish civil engineers, Robert Stevenson and John Rennie. It is the oldest and longest wrought iron suspension bridge in Britain. The route takes you briefly into England before returning to Scotland. 

Coldstream is perhaps best known today for its regiment in the British Army, the Coldstream Guards. However, in days gone by it was the lowest point to ford the River Tweed and so featured heavily in battles between disputed territory in Scotland and England. In the town there are cafes and restaurants, the Coldstream Museum and the Hirsel Estate with visitor centre, toilets, museum and plenty of grounds to picnic and relax after a morning in the saddle. 

From Coldstream you leave the River Tweed and have an easy to moderate cycle with a few steep climbs before reaching Kelso. This market town offers plenty of amenities from hotels, restaurants and pubs to sites of historic interest such as Kelso Abbey, another of the ruined Border abbeys and the ruins of Roxburgh Castle. And if you have made good time, allow for a deviation to the north of the town where you can find Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the UK. 

In this remote land, this meeting hall was once the site of the Border Hunt Ball and stands a testament to the communities who once lived here. Just in front of the Hall is a signboard that explains the outline of a Roman Marching camp in an adjacent field. 

Arriving in Hawick, you have reached the largest of the Border towns, which has a long history stretching back as far as the 100s. Today it is the major centre for industry in the Borders; the largest of this is the textile industry with the town world–renown for its fine quality knitwear and cashmere. You can take in some of the history at the Hawick Museum or the Borders Textile Towerhouse – a restored 16th century tower house and one of Hawick’s main attractions.  And if you are looking for a cool option in summer heat, head for Wilton Lodge Park with tree lined walks along the banks of the River Teviot. Or as a reward perhaps head for a tour round the Borders Distillery with a spirit tasting at the end! 

The first pit stop for the day, this lake is now used for coarse-fishing but offers the chance for some wildlife spotting and a scenic place for a morning snack! 

The ideal picnic spot you can enjoy the views across and down the loch. Imagine the young James Hogg working as a shepherd from the age of 7 in these valleys. He was self-educated, and published his literature whilst working on the land during his lifetime. One of his favourite spots at the south of the loch was near the now closed Tibbie Shiels Inn where he would meet his friend, Sir Walter Scott. 

An excellent café at the gardens’ award-winning visitor centre awaits as do the truly spectacular gardens of Dawyck expect seasonal displays of snowdrops, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, blue poppies and autumn colour. The plant collections thriving here hail from the mountainous regions of Europe, China, Nepal, Japan and North America. Keep an eye out for one of Scotland’s finest tree collections including some of Britain’s oldest and tallest trees, dating back to 1680.   

This lovely market town awaits at the end of a challenging day of climbs and descents. This town is on the edge of the mountain biking mecca Glentress Forest and its 7stanes trails. World-class competitions are regularly held here and as such the area is geared up for cyclists. There are options for food and drink and cycling repairs too.   

Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited house Traquair is well worth a stop to take in its history. It’s iconic Bear Gates have been padlocked shut since Bonnie Prince Charlie rode south to London in 1745. The fifth Earl of Traqauir declared they would remain closed until a Stuart king sat on the Scottish throne again! There is a garden café serving teas and cakes and a microbrewery so you can pack something to celebrate at the end of your journey. 

This is another cycling friendly town and one where you are guaranteed to find somewhere for refreshments and lunches. In addition, there are bike shops for repairs.  From here to Melrose expect a couple more climbs, including a very steep one at Stow before your descents to Melrose itself. 

On returning to Melrose it is well worth the quick ride out to see the “Flibbertigibbet of a house” that Sir Walter Scott created overlooking the River Tweed. With an excellent visitor centre, café and guided audio tour of the house itself, a visit to Abbotsford is the perfect end to your tour of the Borders after six days in the saddle on the Borderloop tour.