Innerleithen

About Innerleithen

Once a post-industrial, former mill town, it has reinvented itself. This isn’t a sleepy commuter town; it's a dynamic hub that pulses with creativity, community spirit and a wee touch of local magic where the Leithen Water meets the River Tweed…

Every year in Innerleithen, the legend of St. Ronan comes alive. Myth tells that this visionary pilgrim monk founded the settlement around A.D. 737, and his spirit endures in the annual St. Ronan's Borders Games. The festival transforms the town with traditional ceremonies, Scotland's oldest athletic games and communal gatherings that honour our forefathers and the young people of today. Music plays a starring role, featuring our beloved bands - St. Ronan’s Silver and Tweedvale Pipe Bands. In celebrating this legacy, the Games forge a deep sense of unity and pride, inspiring each generation to keep the legend burning brightly.

While in town, take the short walk across the River Tweed and step back into the past with Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, steeped in myth and legend. Its historic walls and storied corridors invite you to explore centuries of Scottish heritage while sparking your imagination with tales of Kings, Queens and Jacobites. Get lost in the maze, and try some of the home brewed ale for a day to remember.

Then treat your taste buds at Caldwells Ice Cream, a local favourite serving up artisan flavours that draw visitors from far and wide. Our High Street is proudly independent and home to cool cafes, a craft beer tap room, exciting retail spaces and a one of a kind visitor attraction…

No glimpse of Innerleithen would be complete without a trip to Robert Smail’s, where the town’s heritage and modern creativity collide. A Victorian letter press print works, still in operation and offering guided tours throughout the summer. Robert Smail’s is a key beacon for the towns thriving arts scene, celebrated every year with an Open Studios event in September.

Beyond the town’s cultural gems and local legends lies a vibrant playground of hills and trails that brings energy to Innerleithen. The surrounding landscape offers an expansive network of paths for hikers seeking peace and solitude, trail runners pushing themselves to the limit, horse riders on a thrilling hack or mountain bikers chasing an adrenaline rush. These trails aren’t just a backdrop - they actively shape the community’s adventurous ethos and inspire the vibe that Innerleithen is proud of.

In Innerleithen, every street corner tells a story, every local has a tale and every day offers a new adventure. Come and experience an authentic slice of Borders life - where history meets cool, and every experience is as unforgettable as a taste of Caldwells’ ice cream…