The Beautiful Scottish Borders

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 06:59 AM

I recently returned from my first trip to Scotland, and spent 3 weeks in the gorgeous Borders area. It is an area full of stories of Border Reivers, and the history of the Elliott's, Scott's , Armstrong's ,Graham's, to name just a few. I purposely chose this area to focus on because of my interest in the history , but even if you have no knowledge or interest in that...ifyou ever go...you will be spellbound by the rolling hills , the rivers and the beautiful , little towns and the lovely people.

Its been really hard deciding which pictures to share. I took close to 600 , but hopefully this sampling will prove that the highlands and the top tourist attractions are not the only places in Scotland worth visiting .

First stop was Peebles..also got to attend my first Scocha concert here and met up with Cessna152towser

I fell in love with this little town.

these were all taken on my walks along the Tweed.

**Couper** · 28th November 15, 07:54 AM

Beautiful pictures of some beautiful countryside. Thank you for sharing.

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 08:02 AM

For some reason I can't seem to post pics from my iPad , which is what I mostly use.. So bear with me, I've switched to my old laptop, and it's slow going.. More to come

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 08:24 AM

This castle comes with a fabulous story of "Muckle Mou'ed Meg", aka the ugliest woman in the Borders. If you're interested, you can read her story here http://www.clovenfords.net/wp-conten...-Moued-Meg.pdf

I might add.. In case you're inspired to go.. Getting here is not for the feeble.. It involved a 20 minute walk through the woods, plus climbing walls and barbed wire fences, and you have to climb in through a window to get inside.. Lol . And not be concerned about the free roaming sheep.

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 08:58 AM

The Haining-Selkirk, late 1700's -belonged to the Pringle family.

Traquair House-The oldest inhabited house in Scotland- Stuart family

Redheugh, home of the Elliott clan chief, and the clanroom

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 09:30 AM

It was a plan to visit the 4 Abbeys of the Borders..all established by David I of Scotland. These would have been in use between the 12th & 16th centuries, and destroyed during raids in the mid 1500's. Melrose is the most intact and the heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried here.

taken from the roof of Melrose Abby!...and a view of the incredible Eildon Hills..

The famous statue of the bagpipe playing pig

Dryburgh Abbey..

Oops ! Forgot to mention that Sir Walter Scott is buried here at Dryburgh Abbey ..

**Richrail** · 28th November 15, 09:42 AM

Wonderful pictures.

**Liam** · 28th November 15, 09:46 AM

Julia....thanks so much for posting these lovely pictures. Feel free to "bore" us with more.
Slainte.

**Kiltedjohn** · 28th November 15, 09:56 AM

A really interesting and scenic part of the world. I spent a week in Melrose a few years back, and visited various abbeys etc.
Look forward to more pics. Thanks.

**Julia Elliott** · 28th November 15, 09:57 AM

Here is Jedburgh Abbey..

Kelso Abbey...

Although this one is not in the Borders, i need to also post this one as it is connected. I also made a trip up to Fife, and visited the Abbey in Dumfermline...remember I mentioned Melrose has the heart of Robert the Bruce ? well.. here is the rest of him..in Dumfermline..

you can see the Steeple of the church has the name BRUCE..