This lovely building is a prominent landmark in Galashiels, found at the top of Bank Street. It…read moredates from 1867, having been built by Robert Hall & Co. From 1924-27 there were substantial additions by the architect, R.S. Lorimer, chiefly consisting of Scottish Renaissance-style buildings including the clock tower, war memorial and a three storey extension. The building is mainly used as the burgh chambers and the rest of it houses the council offices. I can't write much about the interior as I haven't been inside but I have read it is very beautiful (fine entrance hall, quality timber panelling, decorative wrought iron work, painted panel depicting the town motto, 'Sour Plums', brass ram light fittings and a mural of Pan). The basement was once used as a police station and apparently some evidence of the cells remains. My photo was taken from the guest house where we stayed a while ago really a lovely view of the Burgh Chambers from there and some of the attractive surrounding countryside.

Circus Lane is probably one of the most picturesque parts of Edinburgh, thanks to Instagram. It's a…read morebeautiful place and a hidden gem to visit. We went here early on a weekday morning, and it was quite quiet. However, be respectful, as this is a normal street where locals live. If you're looking for a quick pick with a beautiful background, this is highly recommended!

We stayed in Stockbridge area during our visit, so it only took 3-4 minutes walk from my place to…read moreCircus Lane. I took advantage of that and went here a few times during our stay since it's such a picturesque cobbled street. It gets quite busy in the afternoon since everyone wants a photo here, but if you're patient you can get some good shots without people in the background.

We were told that only a small portion of the abbey would be closed due to hazardous conditions…read more Unfortunately, we were deceived as the entire chapel is closed. Save you pounds and go elsewhere.

One of the four great Border abbeys it is well worth the £5.20 entrance fee. It feels haunting and…read moreimpressive and I, visiting alone, felt dwarfed, dominated, and in awe of what it must have looked like when complete. It was a Priory ordered by King David in 1138. Made from local stone, it took over 100 years to complete the abbey. On the South facing slopes of River Jed it is town centreish. There has been a church on this site since the 9th century. The Augustinian order took it over in the 11th century and the old church was replaced by the present wonderful building in the early 1200s. David built it to demonstrate to his own subjects - and to those in England - that he could create a magnificent building in the southernmost part of his kingdom. He allowed the monks to create the huge cross-shaped plan of nave, presbytery and transepts in a prominent position while the cloister, chapter house, cellars and other accommodation could be built on lower levels I think they were underground but nothing remains).. leaving the flowing arches of the nave to dominate the site. Standing to full height, and missing only its roof, the nave comprises a spectacle of richly moulded arches, elegant clustered columns topped with waterleaf capitals, and a continuous row of slender lancet windows forming the clerestory. A truly delightful aspect of Jedburgh Abbey is the reconstructed cloister garden, which has been designed and planted to give an impression of a typical monastery garden of the 1500s. During the border wars for Independance it was badly damaged and rebuilt many times. These Wars with the English drove the monks out by the end of the 13th century. The Abbey was reconstructed and again part destroyed several more times during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Immediately after the damage inflicted by the English army at that time, Scotland went through a period of religious reformation which saw an end of the dominance of the Roman Catholic church - and all its symbols, including abbeys and monasteries. So Jedburgh and many other similar buildings were never rebuilt. However, it was used as a parish church. In the late 19th century, when a new parish church was built on the other side of the Jed Water, the Marquis of Lothian paid for major repairs to be carried out and when the great abbey was taken into State care in 1913, it was in better shape than many of its sister abbeys in the Borders. Despite these trials it is one of the best preserved of the Border abbeys. visitor centre has the priceless comb and other artifacts found. One thing I would say is this part of Scotland seems very cold. I went in October and was freezing. Wrap up warm.

Definitely recommend! The tour guide Lesley is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are beautiful…read moreinside, and you can take photos and videos. Super interesting to hear the history of the castle! Can take an uber from Edinburgh, but will have to call a private car for a ride to the closest train station.

I chose a lovely day to visit Thirlestane Castle in Lauder in the Borders in Scotland.Its easily…read moreaccessible from Edinburgh or even Newcastle. From Edinburgh, it takes you about an hour to get there, down the A68. The castle is located on the Lauderdale estate and nowadays is part of a trust. It's a fairy tale castle and has been in the possession of the Maitland family for over 500 years. One part of the castle is still lived in by the current family, the Duke of Lauderdale. The family tree I'd displayed in one of their rooms and you will notice family connections with other famous aristocratic families like the Dysart's, Home, Lauder, Ogilvie etc The castle is definitely worth a visit. There are many rooms to explore, one grander than the previous. Must confess that my most favourite piece in the castle was an amazingly well preserved toy, a children's play mansion. I have never seen such a grandiose master piece. Every room in this miniature mansion was filled with dolls, furnishings and any possible accessories you can imagine! The staff in the castle are very kind, knowledgeable and very proud of its historic value. There is a small gift shop and a lovely tea room. The tea shop interior is very colourful and warm. They offer plenty of food choices. Sometimes, the service felt a bit chaotic, but they made it up with their very kind attitude. The estate is vast, but I did not get the impression that there is much to explore in the gardens (in the back) However, there is a playground for the children, a large picnic area and a woodland walk that also leads you to the lower car park. Check out their website. There might be some events on that you might like. When I was there they had lots of Rovers (mostly old timers) displayed in the front garden and people were really proud of their cars. This place had lots of character and it's pride in heritage! It's worth a visit - don't miss out! I will be back!

This is more like a fairy tale palace than a castle - It was built in the 18th century as a country…read morehouse I love all the old swords and guns on one wall of the entrance hall It is full of wonderful decor the drawing room has some lovely tapestries There are two places to eat which do wonderful meals and you can get some to take away at the Castle Kitchen Produce shop where they do all sorts of great food They have jars of dulche de leche here which is one of the few places I have managed to find them The gardens are lovely and there is a garden shop which has a giant selection of plants I got a jasmine here a few years ago which flowers wondefully

What a beautiful castle, we were driving passed and thought hey let's go and have a look…read more The staff were very knowledgable and were really kind to our little boy . Very friendly and highly recommend a visit here.

The best place to park is in the free car park with the bottle bank on the main road and the house…read moreis a street away, its well signed It was £3 to get in but has a really good audio tour included The tour starts downstairs in the gift shop and works its way up through the house to a suprsing number of rooms A very detailed tour with some rooms set out the way they would have been when she was there and a lot of information on here life and its downfall There are lots of boards to read and mementos from her life and some very touching info from before she was excecuted Its a very interesting place I now know a lot more about mary queen of scots Well worth a visit when you are in jedburgh

Good local attraction well worth popping into when you are crossing the border and passing through…read moreJedburgh. The house dates back to the time of Mary Queen of Scots a Jedburgh is the town that hr first husband was stabbed in. Well maintained by the local council and with a good auditory guide a stop here gives a good introdction to the history of the house and the town.

This would once have been a beautiful building. Unfortunately, after Henry VIII disbanded monastic…read morecommunities in England, Wales and Scotland in the 1500s, all that remains is the gatehouse. This functioned as a vicarage to the local church and is now in the care of English Heritage and probably dates back to the 1100s. Definetly worth the walk, or the drive.

I have a great fondness for this ram statue! Often when driving to or from Scotland we stop in…read moreMoffat for a meal and usually park near to this wonderful ram (it is surrounded by parking spaces in the middle of the main street). This statue was sculpted by William Brodie (1815-1881) and presented to the town by the local businessman William Colvin in 1875 to commemorate the town's thriving wool trade. Other notable works by Brodie which can still be seen today include his marvellous 'Hercules', a bronze statue in Portmeirion, North Wales. The Moffat Ram sits on top of the Colvin Fountain whose water was used by men and animals for drinking. There were once iron cups for men to fill from the water spouts whilst the animals drank from the filled bases the lower ones for dogs and the higher ones for horses! The ram was constructed without ears and a myth (apparently without any foundation) circulated for long afterwards that Brodie committed suicide when he realised his mistake!

This is a not very wel known castle ruin on top of a hill near norham castle its on a side road off…read morethe a698 and you stop at the bridge where there is room for two or three cars Its a walk up the hill and be careful with little ones and a climb over a still but well worth it when you get up there and if you are adventorous you can explore the ruin It was a 15th century tower house with had a mansion built onto it in the 18th century which was never finished and which went to ruin so it ended up as kind of a folly but an unfinished one Dont think many people go here as its not that well known but worth a look

Twizel has become very close to my heart, as my other half's brother had his ashes scattered here…read more Twizel castle is, as sharnad pointed out, one of Northumberland's sadly lesser known ruined castles. I say sadly, because it is really a beautiful spot, with a great position next to the Till. As well as an explore of the ruins themselves, there is also a large circular walk (running through the Tillmouth Estate?) but be careful, it becomes VERY muddy when wet!