Scottish Borders

Town Yetholm and its twin village Kirk Yetholm - conservation villages with wide village greens, thatched cottages and a long and fascinating history - are a perfect base for a self-catering holiday.

Even by Scottish Borders standards, Yetholm has wonderful walking. A few strides from your door, you can join the famous long-distance routes of the Pennine Way and St Cuthbert's Way and there are numerous other footpaths that wind over hills and through valleys. Cycling is idyllic on the quiet country roads.

Herons and dippers are regular visitors to the Bowmont River and there is a bird-hide at nearby Yetholm Loch. On an evening stroll, you may encounter badgers and foxes or the exquisite pale glide of a barn owl.

If you are lucky enough to visit during Yetholm Festival Week in June, you can join the traditional festivities and watch the famous ride-outs with up to 200 riders galloping over the hills and splashing through the Bowmont River.

The nearest town is Kelso, situated on the River Tweed, with its handsome market square surrounded by specialist shops. Fishing, golf and Britain's friendliest race-course are all to be found there. Other outdoor activities in the Scottish Borders include horse-riding and mountain-biking.

Abbeys, castles, peel towers and battlefields all bear witness to the turbulent history of these border lands. Don't forget about the Northumbrian and Berwickshire coastline: Holy Island, the Farne Islands, the castles of Bamburgh and Alnwick (where Harry Potter was filmed) and long sandy beaches are all within an hour’s drive. A little over an hour to the north, Scotland's beautiful capital city, Edinburgh, is always worth a visit.

Find out more:

Yetholm Online
Visit Scottish Borders
What's On in the Scottish Borders
Visit Northumberland
Edinburgh