Southern Scotland

Southern Scotland (including Dumfries & Galloway, and the Scottish Borders) has something for everyone with historic castles and abbeys, distilleries, botanic gardens, walking trails, outdoor activities, fabulous scenery and miles of picturesque coastline. It's easy to reach from Edinburgh and from England.

Top 3 reasons to visit:

1. HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS including dozens of castles, the romantic Border Abbeys, and Abbotsford - the home of Sir Walter Scott.
2. STUNNING SCENERY with rolling hills, magnificent forests, lochs and miles of unspoilt coastline.
3. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES here include scenic walks, mountain biking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, surfing and more.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

You can explore the rolling countryside with walking trails such as the Southern Upland Way, the Annandale Way and Mull of Galloway Trail, or be more adventurous at the 7stanes mountain biking centres in the forests of Southern Scotland. Fishing on the River Tweed, golf, horse riding and surfing are also popular pursuits.

Mountain biking in the Glentress forest. Photo copyright David N. Anderson / Visit Scotland

Choose your perfect place in Scotland from the BEST - quality assured

Scotland’s Best B&Bs is the only 4 and 5 Star Bed and Breakfast organisation across Scotland. Each member is inspected by official Visit Scotland Quality Assurance advisors. You can be assured of a very personal, warm Scottish welcome. Living locally means that your host will know the special places to visit, the best places to eat and everything to make your stay memorable.

Stay with Scotland's Best B&Bs in the Scottish Borders

Abbotshaw House B&B
This 4 Star GOLD secluded farmhouse is set in an unspoilt area of the Scottish Borders, within easy driving distance of Carlisle, Gretna Green and Northumberland. Due to Covid-19, only the Reiver Suite will be available (super-king size hand-carved mahogany bed, ensuite bath and shower, views over the Liddel Water valley) OR the Attic Suite (1 super-king size double room and 1 twin room with a private bathroom with large bath). Generous 4-course breakfasts. The house sits in 363 acres of farmland and woodland with a mile stretch of private river (fishing is free for guests). It also offers B&B for horses with stabling, turnout, a near Olympic size all-weather arena and lovely farm/forest rides. Abbotshaw House B&B is ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, horse-riding and star-gazing. Dogs welcome. BOOK NOW

Mill House B&B
This 4 Star GOLD B&B is in a converted 18th century mill near Kelso. It is less than 2 miles from the English border and ideal for visiting the Berwickshire/Northumberland coastline, as well as the historic Border towns of Kelso, Melrose and Jedburgh with their famous Abbey ruins. Mill House is perfect for walkers as it is at the end of The Pennine Way and also close to St Cuthbert’s Way Trail from Melrose to Lindisfarne. Choice of 5 spacious rooms/suites (double, twin, family). A full Scottish breakfast is served in the panelled Dining Room. Guests can also relax on the patio or in the drawing room with open fire. BOOK NOW

Stay with Scotland's Best B&Bs in Dumfries and Galloway

The Waterside Rooms
This 4 Star B&B on the coast directly overlooks the pictureque Solway Estuary in Dumfriesshire. Enjoy wildlife spotting and coastal walks or explore historic sites and castles including Caerlaverock. Gretna Green 7 miles. Dumfries 20 miles. Accommodation is in one self-contained suite of rooms with king sized bedroom, private lounge with sofa-bed, designer shower room and spectacular sea views. Sleeps up to 4 people. Breakfast is served in the upper dining room with panoramic views out over the Solway Firth. BOOK NOW

Nithbank Country Estate
5 Star luxury accommodation at Nithbank Country Estate in this secluded Scottish Country House just 14 miles from Dumfries. Choice of 3 suites (super-kingsize double / twin). Set in ancient woodland with river frontage and breath taking views, this is a peaceful retreat where you can also enjoy wildlife watching, field sports, fishing, golf, walking, cycling, mountain biking, Galloway Forest Park, distilleries and castles such as Drumlanrig. Supper is available by prior arrangement. Green Tourism Gold award and Biosphere Certification Mark from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere for commitment to sustainability. Taste our Best award. BOOK NOW

Torbeckhill B&B
This 4 Star B&B (10 miles from Lockerbie) is set in 16 acres of grounds with spectacular views of the hills of South West Scotland and the Solway Firth, with the Lake District in the background. It is an ideal stopping off point if you are traveling North or South between England and Scotland with the M74 being just a few minutes away. Explore nearby castles such as Caerlaverock, Drumlanrig, Threave and Hermitage. Torbeckhill offers 2 bedrooms (double / twin) on the ground floor. As well as an extensive breakfast, guests can also enjoy a 2-course evening meal by prior arrangement. BOOK NOW

BEST TIMES TO VISIT SOUTHERN SCOTLAND

Highland Games, annual agricultural shows and food festivals are a great way to enjoy local produce and entertainment Also worth seeing are the Common Ridings which are colourful festivals that take place every year from June to August. Eleven towns in the Scottish Borders celebrate with magnificent rideouts involving hundreds of horses in events which stems from the 13th/14th century history of the Borders Reivers. Please note that due to the Covid-19 situation, events may be rescheduled or cancelled for 2021.

One of the spectactular Common Ridings events

Discover our pages on:

Attractions in Dumfries & Galloway - Castles in Dumfries & Galloway

Attractions in the Scottish Borders - Castles in the Scottish Borders