Historic places to go

Cessford Castle 5 miles south of Kelso, south of B6401 NT 738238 Dates from 15th C. Once described as third strongest castle in Scotland. Photo by Duncan Fenton
Cross Kirk, Peebles In Cross Road, Peebles The nave and west tower of a Trinitarian Friary, founded in the late 13th century with foundations of the domestic buildings Photo by Duncan Fenton
Dere Street Roman Road, Soutra Beside Soutra Aisle, just off the A68, 73 NT 452 580 A good stretch of the Roman road which runs from Corbridge, beside Hadrian's Wall, to Crammond on the Firth of Forth. Beside the road are scoops, pits from which the gravel for building the road was taken.
Dryburgh Abbey 5m SE of Melrose on the B6404 near St Boswells, 74 NT 591 316 Tel: 01835 822381 Perhaps the most beautiful of all the Border Abbeys, the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey are remarkably complete. The burial place of Sir Walter Scott and Field Marshall Earl Haig. Much of the work is of the 12th and 13th century. Photo by Duncan Fenton
Edin's Hall Broch On the north east slope of Cockburn Law, about four and a half miles from Grantshouse, a mile walk from the Duns road, 67 NT 772 603 One of the few Iron Age brochs in lowland Scotland and unusually large, sitting in a fort defended by ramparts and ditches, partially overlain by a later settlement.
Edrom Church In Edrom, three and a half miles north east of Duns, 67 NT 827 558 The richly-carved Norman doorway of the old parish church of Edrom, in the kirkyard.
Floors Castle In Kelso The house was built by William Adam for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in 1721. What you will see here is an evolving story of a house and the impressions left by succeeding generations. The roof alterations by the 2nd Duke, the external remodeling by the 6th Duke and the interior modifications by the 8th Duchess are just some of the changes effected over the years.
Foulden Tithe Barn Four miles south east of Chirnside, 67 NT 931 558 A two-storey barn used for storing payments to the parish church made in grain. View exterior only.
Greenknowe Tower Half mile west of Gordon on the Earlston road, 74 NT 639 428 A handsome tower house on an L plan, built in 1581 and still retaining its iron gate or yett. Photo by Duncan Fenton
Hermitage Castle 5.5m NE of Newcastleton, B6399. Tel: 013873 76222 A vast, eerie fortress at the heart of many of the bloodiest events in the history of the Borders. Mary Queen of Scots made her famous ride here to visit her future husband, the Earl of Bothwell. Winter: open weekends only.
Jedburgh Abbey In Jedburgh on the A68. Tel: 01835 863925 A majestic building founded by David I in 1138 for Augustinian canons. The church is mostly in the Romanesque and early Gothic styles and is remarkably complete. Remains of the cloister buildings have recently been uncovered and finds from the excavations, including the 12th century 'Jedburgh comb', are on display in the award winning visitor centre.
Kelso Abbey In Kelso The west end of the great abbey church of the Tironensians, brought to Kelso in 1128 by David I. Even in its fragmentary state, this is a superb piece of architecture. Thanks to Dennis Evanosky for the photograph.
Melrose Abbey In Melrose off the A7 or A68. Tel: 01896 822562 At one time probably the richest abbey in Scotland whose 14th to 16th-century remains retain a unique elegance. Said to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart. Audio guide available.
Neidpath Castle Near Peebles on A72. Dating from 14th C with rebuilding in later centuries. Castle is in excellent condition. Open only in summer. (NT 236 405) Photo by Duncan Fenton
Smailholm Tower Near Smailholm village, 6miles north west of Kelso on B6937, 74 NT 638 346 Tel: 01573 460365 Sited high on a rocky outcrop, Smailholm is a small rectangular tower set within a stone barmkin wall. Inside the tower is a model of this Pringle residence and a charming collection of costume figures and tapestries relating to Sir Walter Scott's 'Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders'. It was the sight of Smailholm which fired Walter Scott's imagination when, as a young boy, he was brough up by his grandparents at the nearb Winter: closed.