hello, summer!

Vibrant festivals, river swimming, precious wildlife and more – discover the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Tweed Valley this summer. Let these seasonal highlights inspire your visit!

Peebles Outdoor Film Festival

The Tweed Valley’s love of all things outdoors is summed up by this buzzy annual festival, held at the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles. This year’s Peebles Outdoor Film Festival saw a dizzying array of outdoor experiences during the day before audiences returned to the theatre for a mouth-watering selection of adventure films and inspirational headline speakers. As well as award-winning films, highlights this year included an appearance by writer, kayaker and human seal David Gange, plus pro mountain biker and adventure traveller Scotty Laughland. If you can’t wait until next year’s festival, Beyond Borders International Festival in August promises more thought-provoking speakers, films and well-being activities.

swim in the wild

Whether it’s an early morning dip or a few refreshing laps after a day of activity, stepping into the clear waters of the Tweed – one of Scotland’s great rivers – is a wonderful way to reconnect with the natural world. Outdoor swimming is one of the valley’s most popular activities – and no wonder! There are endless swim spots for little paddlers, dare-devil divers and mindful bathers along this stretch of the River Tweed. Whatever the weather gods have in store for us this summer, you can always float your way to happiness in the river’s cool waters.

riding traditions

Peebles and Selkirk celebrate their heritage every summer with a horsey tradition dating back to the 13th century. The Common Ridings (or ‘Ride Outs’) were a way for townspeople to protect their borderlands from the English during a time of fierce warring between the two nations (and other land-hungry neighbours!). Thankfully, the English and Scots are on much friendlier terms but witnessing a cavalcade of horses riding the town boundaries – and fording the Tweed – remains a majestic spectacle and a highlight of the Tweed Valley calendar. For more horseback adventures, riders of all levels can enjoy a visit to Kailzie Equestrian.

ospreys and eagles

Resident from April until September, the ospreys that arrive in the Tweed Valley to breed each summer always cause huge excitement. After all, there are few sights more dramatic than seeing one of these remarkable fish-eating birds of prey swooping in to pluck a fish from a river or loch. And it seems likely that ospreys will soon be joined by another iconic species – golden eagles have been seen prospecting for nest sites following their release as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. Find out more by visiting The Eyrie eagle information point at the Waterwheel Café on the Philiphaugh Estate near Selkirk.

living history

Neidpath Castle, Traquair House, Bowhill and – a little further down the valley – the fairytale Abbotsford. There can be few parts of the country that contain such an exquisite collection of historic houses and castles in such a small area. Between them, they reveal the (often bloody!) cultural, social and literary history of the region, with each intimately associated with some of Scotland’s most famous historical figures – from royalty and influential families to celebrated writers such as Sir Walter Scott. Their grounds are quite something too!

national scenic area

Scotland is home to 40 National Scenic Areas – each representing some of Scotland’s finest landscapes – and the Tweed Valley is lucky to have one nestled at its very heart. Upper Tweeddale is a remarkably diverse landscape, characterised by rugged hills, expansive moorland, steep ridges and a peppering of ancient settlements. The best way to experience the beauty of this special place? Take to the hills on foot! The Pykestone Hill and Drumelzier Law loop is a stunning hike with rewarding views over the Culter Fells and Tinto Hill – especially on a bright, summer’s day.

St Ronan’s Border Games

Every Borders town is different and some might say Innerleithen is more different than most – as demonstrated by the mix of cultural, historical and sporting traditions of the St Ronan’s Border Games in July. The Games are part of a wider ten-day festival, central to which are the mysterious Cleikum Ceremonies that celebrate the town’s association with its patron saint, St Ronan. A monk who took no nonsense from anyone, St Ronan is said to have engaged the Devil himself in combat, using his staff to drive him out of town. The festivities culminate in a torchlit procession that leads to Burnin’ the De’il and a fireworks display on top of nearby Caerlee Hill!

eBike heaven

Two-wheeled fun comes in all shapes and sizes in the valley, with eBikes an increasingly popular and sustainable way for visitors to explore the area. Whether a lifelong rider or a biking newbie, an eBike provides the freedom to venture into the wilder parts of the valley or simply pedal between towns to discover the rich heritage, fabulous cafes and independent shops on offer. Hire your eBikes from a local provider and be inspired for your day in the saddle with our new eBike route maps coming this summer.

summer scoops

Caldwell’s and ice cream go hand in hand around these parts! Four generations of the Caldwell family have been honing their craft here since 1911, working through the early hours to create their award-winning ices from local premises. Now with High Street parlours in both Innerleithen and Peebles – and at least 100 flavours up their sleeve – this local institution has both cultural and historic status in the community. Ask any local and they’ll tell you that the best summer days end with a Caldwell’s ice cream in hand!

Further info

Looking for other activities and experiences while here in the Tweed Valley? Then take a look at our See & Do section for lots more ideas. 

Images: VisitScotland; Leah DeLeon; Ian Linton Photography; Bowhill Estate; Lindsay Quayle; Rich Rowe