From the rolling hills and rugged coastline of the east to the wild moorlands of the west, the Scottish Borders region is home to an incredible diversity of landscapes. Found alongside these natural landforms are the remnants of numerous abbeys, castles and hill forts, symbolic of a turbulent history. These natural and historical features have all helped to shape this melting pot of a county. Although perhaps somewhat unfairly overlooked by visitors heading to the highlands, the inhabitants of the region have continued to be fiercely proud of their Scottish heritage and their beloved land.
They have many reasons to be proud of their ancestors, for without them this area may well have become part of England. These lands have seen fierce battles including the two wars of Scottish Independence, as well as other long periods of lawlessness where the inhabitants of both sides of the borders were prone to the threats of arson and murder. These troubled times have left their mark on not only the border region but also the English language, with such terms as ‘blackmail’ being derived from the payments that the working class farmers had to pay to the Border Reivers to protect themselves from pillage and plunder.
For the present day visitor, it is easy to understand why these people fought so hard, often giving their lives to protect their humble homelands. The coastline has to be considered as some of the most impressive stretches to be seen in the British Isles. In particular, the geology to be found near St Abbs is an ever present reminder of the formations that were created when the two separate landmasses that were to become England and Scotland collided to form the mainland that we know today.
Inland the distinct forms of the Eildon and numerous other hills around the Merse area are the remnants of extinct volcanoes, creating a vista that for any visitor to the area is simply magical. Further west the landscape changes as the rolling hills which give way to more grand hills and numerous lakes are revealed including the mesmerising St Mary’s Loch.
The remoteness of the terrain and the constant threat of changeable weather ensures that the Scottish Borders has a distinctly different feel to its English counterpart. As soon as you cross the border from England, influences from the people of the county to the features of the landscape will ensure you undoubtedly experience a Scottish welcome.
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