Stouslie Snugs

The Scottish Borders has more than its fair share of haunted castles, stately piles and museums to discover. You can tour the mellow-stone, former home of Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford (25 minutes’ drive), visit the atmospheric ruins of Dryburgh Abbey (half an hour) at sunset, or see where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned at Jedburgh Castle, Jail and Museum – and if you visit Fatlips Castle (both 20 minutes), don’t forget to pick up the key to let yourself in. In Hawick (10 minutes), you can do a tour and tastings at The Borders Distillery, or pick up bargain cashmere at Lovat Mill. Another pretty Borders town to explore is Melrose (half an hour), with its abbey remains, Roman relics in the Trimontium Museum and two National Trust-owned gardens. If you have kids on board for your holiday, check out Wilton Lodge Park (10 minutes), which has a vast children’s play area and a bicycle track, or spend the afternoon at Jacksons At Jedburgh (half an hour) for a fun family day out cuddling lambs on the farm (open summer only).