The Scottish Borders with their rolling hills, woodlands, river valleys and characterful towns are a holiday setting with plenty of appeal. In olden times, this Border country was a place of warfare and skirmishing. Its legacy today is a wealth of historic sites, notably abbeys, castles and stately homes. This area is also strongly associated with horses - it is said that the annual Selkirk Common Riding is the largest mounted gathering anywhere in Europe. As a result, the area has an excellent choice of riding and trekking centres.

Another important activity in the Borders is textile weaving - many of the towns have mill shops where hunting for a bargain can be very rewarding - for example Galashiels or Hawick. (Mill tours are on offer as well.) The area's association with textiles goes back to the time when the monks at the abbeys raised their own flocks. This is just part of the story told at the visitor centre in Jedburgh Abbey, a good way of getting to know the Border abbeys at Jedburgh, Meirose, Kelso and - most peaceful and atmospheric of all - Dryburgh by the River Tweed.

Sir Walter Scott's house at Abbotsford is a popular attraction, though just one of a number of historic houses. These include the Georgian splendour of Mellerstain and also Thiriestane Castle, with its impressive plasterwork and state rooms . Floors Castle, home of the Dukes of Roxburghe further extends the stately home choice, while for sheer atmosphere, a trip to the hilltop setting of Smailholm Tower with its panoramic views is also worthwhile.

Though angling on the River Tweed is justly famed, there are many other angling opportunities, with permits availably locally at very reasonable cost. There are also many walks for all abilities in the area, from sheltered woodland trails to all-day excursions. The signposted long-distance footpath, the Southern Upland Way, also crosses the area and can be enjoyed in easy day stages. With extensive forests as well as quiet byways, the Scottish Borders is excellent cycling country. The Glentress Forest near Peebles is just one of the places with waymarked trails for mountain biking. Sports facilities and swimming pools can be found in most towns in the area, for example Duns, Galashiels, Hawick and Jedburgh.

The Scottish Borders with their unhurried byways and little roads are ideal for country touring, with crafts and galleries, fine views, country pubs to discover, as well as a fascinating sea-coast at places like Eyemouth and St Abbs. From a preserved printing works (at lnnerieithen), by way of Scotland's oldest inhabited house (Traquair), to some of Scotland's most accessible and spectacular seabird colonies at St Abbs Head, the Scottish Borders have something for everyone.