Skip to content

Year of Stories

The Sir Walter Scott Trail

Driving Route

Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771. The son of an Edinburgh lawyer, he was descended from the Scotts of Harden.

height
99.5mi
159.5km
trending_flat
8,430ft
2,570m
trending_flat
8,430ft
2,570m
Towns along route: Kelso, Galashiels

Robert Burns in the South of Scotland

Driving Route

Burns is very present in the South of Scotland, he lived in and around Dumfries, and died and was buried in the town.

height
285.5mi
460km
trending_flat
17,482ft
5,330m
trending_flat
17,712ft
5,400m
Towns along route: Duns, Eyemouth, Coldstream, Kelso, Jedburgh, Earlston, Galashiels, Selkirk, Moffat, Lochmaben, Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet, Wigtown

The James Hogg Trail

Driving Route

James Hogg was born in a small cottage on Ettrickhall Farm at the top of the Ettrick Valley in 1770.

height
36mi
58km
trending_flat
3,050ft
930m
trending_flat
2,722ft
830m
Towns along route: Selkirk, Ettrick

The Borders Ballads

Driving Route

In the period 1300 to 1603, the Borderland was in almost constant turmoil with wars and feuding between families on both sides of the border; this led to 'the reiver' who made plunder and pillage a way of life.

height
127.5mi
205km
trending_flat
12,694ft
3,870m
trending_flat
12,923ft
3,940m
Towns along route: Newcastleton, Bonchester Bridge, Jedburgh

The John Buchan Trail

Driving Route

John Buchan (1875-1940) was born in Perth and spent his childhood holidays at his grandparents’ house in Tweeddale, in the South of Scotland.

height
84mi
135.5km
trending_flat
6,757ft
2,060m
trending_flat
6,757ft
2,060m
Towns along route: Peebles, Broughton, Selkirk, Innerleithen

Eyemouth and the Smugglers Trail

Walking Route  -
Easy

Eyemouth is a busy fishing port with a fascinating history that includes smuggling, shipwrecks and witch burning.

height
2.5mi
4km
trending_flat
361ft
110m
trending_flat
394ft
120m

John Buchan Way

Walking Route  -
Challenge

A long linear route between Peebles and Broughton through the hills and valleys of Tweeddale. Although this route is sign-posted it is advisable to take an ordnance survey map as well.

height
14mi
22.5km
trending_flat
2,427ft
740m
trending_flat
2,329ft
710m
Towns along route: Peebles, Broughton

Tibbie Tamson’s Grave

Walking Route  -
Moderate

A most attractive and emotive circular up to Tibbie’s grave (buried by the people of Selkirk in 1790, possibly a suicide) through woodland and farmland.

height
4mi
6.5km
trending_flat
853ft
260m
trending_flat
853ft
260m
Towns along route: Galashiels

The Covenanters

Driving Route

The Covenanting era was an extremely important time in Scotland’s History. Covenanter’s can be characterised by those who signed the National Covenant in 1638, to state their strong opposition to the Stuart Monarchy’s interference with the Scottish Presbyterian Church.

Burns Town Trail

Walking Route  -
Easy

A pleasant walk around Dumfries town centre, passing by iconic Burns related locations. The trail starts on the banks of the River Nith and corsses the water via two historic Bridges, before heading into the Bustling Town Centre.

height
2.5mi
3.5km
trending_flat
131ft
40m
trending_flat
131ft
40m