The 1800 square miles of the Scottish Borders stretch from the English borderline north to the outskirts of Edinburgh, and from the gently rolling Tweedsmuir Hills in the west to the rugged east coast and the North Sea.

The landscape of the Scottish Borders is one of its most stunning features and greatest assets with a rich variety of landscapes, from rugged coastlines to wild bleak moor lands. At the heart of the Scottish Borders, the famous salmon-rich River Tweed flows through the diverse and contrasting countryside. Stretching from North Northumberland into The Scottish Borders are The Cheviot Hills, and the Cheviot itself rising to 815 metres. The hills are rounded in character and thickly clothed with peat; here you will find the latter stretch of the Pennine Way.

Agriculture is one of the regions prime industries and one fifth of the Scottish Borders is covered by forest or woodland. Astonishingly only 1.5% of the total landmass of the Scottish Borders comprises inhabited towns and settlements.

The Scottish Borders is renowned for its unspoilt environment, beautiful countryside and wide variety of wildlife, visitors can also enjoy a broad spectrum of other outdoor pursuits available on their doorstep; from walking, fishing, sailing, horse riding, cycling, nature watching to exploring the many historical sites of interest.

The 105,000 inhabitants of the Scottish Borders are spread throughout the area. The five largest settlements, Hawick, Galasheils, Peebles, Selkirk and Kelso are traditional towns with centuries of fascinating history. You can be guaranteed a pleasurable and relaxing experience in any of the Border towns which have developed into thriving commercial and industrial centres, whilst still maintaining their individual identities and charm.

The Scottish Borders has a history of conflict and battles through the ages. The traces of prehistoric and Roman life and the remains of many fine abbeys, castles and Peel Towers stand as testimony to this passionate and violent past.

The turbulent history as well as the natural beauty of the area has also helped to inspire creative talents and imaginations for many years. The romantic novels of Sir Walter Scott and the ballads of James Hogg, the 'Ettrick Shepherd', capture the intrinsic qualities of the Scottish Borders.