New life, new adventures – from festivals to walks, rides, gardens, cultural curiosities and more, there is so much to discover in the Tweed Valley this spring. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Festival fever
Events and festivals are back on the menu in a big way – including a couple of exciting newbies! Indie film fans can join an international cast of filmmakers, actors and their entourages as they descend on the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles for the inaugural Scotland International Festival of Cinema (19 to 24 April). Meanwhile, gravel bike lovers will be licking their lips at the brand-new Muck n Mac Fest (29 April to 1 May) in the glorious surroundings of Traquair House. Making full use of the gardens, the event will also include live music, DJ sets, talks and family-friendly activities.
Hilltop hike
What better way to immerse yourself in the landscape than to take to the hills on foot? Leave your worries – and your little people – at home and make your way through forest paths and up rugged climbs to the summit of local beauty, Cademuir Hill. Take a moment to admire the sometimes still snow-capped tops in the surrounding valley and explore the remains of two Iron Age hill forts before winding your way back down.
Railway ride
For a family adventure a little closer to sea level, the Tweed Valley Railway Path bike route is a local classic. Pedal your way from Peebles to Innerleithen along the banks of the River Tweed, stopping off for a few laps of the pump track at Cardrona, a cheeky ice cream at Caldwell’s Homemade Ice Cream or a slice of cake at Nashy’s Coffee House or the Café Sitooterie. Make sure there’s plenty of steam left in the legs to make it home!
Paddle power
Get even closer to the mighty Tweed by taking to the water on a kayak or open canoe. Paddling provides a unique view of river life and the chance to spot some of the area’s more precious inhabitants. From dippers to herons, kingfishers to otters, there’s a host of wildlife waiting to be discovered. We can’t promise you’ll stay dry – but we can promise an adventure to remember. Bring your own craft, rent from a local provider or join Biggar Adventure for a guided trip.
Gorgeous gardens
Explore the gardens of the Tweed Valley in all their seasonal splendour. Surround yourself in spring colour on the renowned azalea terrace at Dawyck Botanic Garden or have your spirits lifted with a carpet of daffodils and bluebells at nearby Kailzie Gardens. Spring is also the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of Traquair House’s walled garden – or, for a bigger thrill, lose yourself in the walls of its beech-hedged maze!
Horses for courses
Horses and horse-riding are part of the fabric of life in the Tweed Valley. With miles of off-road riding available through local forests, moors and glens, experienced riders will be spoilt for choice. And don’t worry if you don’t know one end of a horse from the other – the likes of Kailzie Equestrian Centre and Haughhead Stables offer short treks and beginner lessons, enabling visitors of all abilities to saddle up for adventures on horseback.
River hunters
The ospreys are back! The forests and rivers of the Tweed Valley provide the perfect breeding grounds for these magnificent, fish-eating birds of prey. Having overwintered in west Africa, the birds have now returned to breed at favoured nest sites up and down the valley. Big Brother-style nest cameras allow visitors an intimate view of these wonderful birds from a watch site at Glentress Peel. And look out for a special Osprey Trail coming soon!
Spring feast
There’s no shortage of cafes, restaurants and pubs to fuel your stay in the Tweed Valley. And with the arrival of the new season, a fresh new larder of local produce makes its way on to menus. Borders lamb and Eyemouth haddock, spring greens and local honey are real treats at this time of year. Exploring the valley can be thirsty work too, so don’t forget to savour a cold beer from one of the local microbreweries.
Atmospheric ruins
For adventurers with an eye for history, the ancient Cross Kirk in Peebles is a delight. The discovery of a fine cross at the site in 1241 – followed by an urn allegedly containing the cremated remains of Saint Nicholas – led Alexander III to believe it had miraculous associations. The original church may have changed dramatically over the years but the site’s magic and religious value remains as strong as ever.
Adventure stories
John Buchan holds celebrity status in the Tweed Valley. And rightly so! Author of The Thirty Nine Steps– and many other fast-paced adventure stories – Buchan spent childhood holidays exploring the area on foot. Discover more about the author’s connection to the local landscape at the wonderful John Buchan Story then take a hike in the great man’s footsteps along part (or even all!) of the waymarked John Buchan Way between Peebles and Broughton.
Further info
Looking for other activities and experiences while here in the Tweed Valley? Then take a look at our See & Do section for a tonne of other ideas.
Images: Ian Linton Photography; Biggar Adventure; FLS; Cringletie; Rich Rowe