Dog-Friendly Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders offers peaceful adventures away from tourist crowds. Rolling hills, historic abbey ruins, quiet rivers, and genuine rural character create excellent dog-friendly territory. This often-overlooked region delivers space, freedom, and Scottish hospitality without the journey times to the Highlands.

Scottish Borders Overview

The Area

Geography:

• Between Edinburgh and England
• Rolling hills (Cheviot, Lammermuir, Moorfoot)
• River valleys (Tweed, Teviot)
• Market towns
• Historic abbeys

Character:

• Quiet and rural
• Strong textile heritage
• Agricultural landscape
• Border history
• Underrated and unspoilt

Why Dogs Love It

• Space and freedom
• Quiet walks
• Few crowds
• River access
• Rolling hills
• Peaceful atmosphere

Key Areas

Tweed Valley

The Heart: Following the River Tweed through the region.

Highlights:

• Peebles (attractive town)
• Melrose (abbey town)
• Kelso (market town)
• Riverside walking throughout

The Tweed Valley offers the kind of peaceful countryside walking you might seek in the Cotswolds but with Scottish character and fewer visitors.

The Eildon Hills

Iconic Trio: Three distinctive peaks near Melrose. Visible throughout region.

Dog Walking: Excellent walking to summits. Moderate difficulty. Outstanding views.

Cheviot Hills

Border Ridge: Along the English border. Remote walking.

Character:

• Wild and quiet
• Long-distance routes
• Serious walking country
• Very few people

St Cuthbert's Way

Pilgrim Route: 62-mile trail from Melrose to Lindisfarne (Holy Island in Northumberland).

Dogs: Excellent long-distance option. Day sections very rewarding.

For more long-distance walking options, see our Long Distance Trails guide.

Recommended Walks

Easy Walks

Riverside Walks:

• Tweed at Peebles (flat, accessible)
• Tweed at Kelso (town and riverside)
• Melrose to Gattonside (chain bridge crossing)

Kailzie Gardens Area: Near Peebles. Forest and riverside. Easy terrain.

Moderate Walks

Eildon Hills: From Melrose. Classic Borders walk. Moderate climb. Outstanding views of the Tweed Valley.

Glentress Forest: Near Peebles. Forestry trails. Various lengths. Mountain biking centre (watch for bikes).

Scott's View: Above Dryburgh. Famous viewpoint. Moderate walking.

Challenging Walks

Cheviot Summit: From Scottish side. Long day. Remote. Proper hill walking.

St Cuthbert's Way Sections: Various challenging stages available.

Southern Upland Way Sections: Long-distance path crosses region. Demanding.

Historic Sites

The Abbeys

Border Abbeys: Four ruined medieval abbeys - Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh, Kelso.

Dog Access: Typically dogs welcome in grounds/exterior areas. Check specific sites. Historic Scotland managed.

Worth Visiting: Atmospheric ruins. Good photography. Combine with walks.

Other Heritage

Abbotsford: Sir Walter Scott's house. Gardens may allow dogs (check).

Floors Castle: Gardens and grounds. Check dog policy.

Traquair House: Gardens. Check current policy.

Similar to visiting National Trust and heritage attractions elsewhere - often grounds accessible, interiors not.

Towns and Villages

Melrose

Abbey Town:

• Ruined abbey
• Attractive town centre
• Good facilities
• Eildon Hills access
• Rugby heritage

Good base with the kind of character you find in Yorkshire market towns.

Peebles

Tweed Town:

• Attractive high street
• River Tweed
• Good walking access
• Forest nearby
• Comfortable base

Kelso

Market Town:

• Large square
• River Tweed and Teviot meeting
• Floors Castle nearby
• Fishing heritage

Jedburgh

Historic Town:

• Abbey
• Mary Queen of Scots house
• Borders history
• Good facilities

Smaller Villages

Quieter Options:

• St Boswells
• Gattonside
• Innerleithen
• Walkerburn

Accommodation

Where to Stay

Melrose: Good central location. Facilities. Walking access.

Peebles: Attractive town. River access. Popular base.

Kelso: Eastern Borders. Good facilities.

Rural Cottages: Throughout the region. Often excellent value compared to Highland prices.

For Scottish cottage options, the Borders offers good availability and value. Apply standard booking advice.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring

Highlights:

• Lambing (dogs on leads)
• Longer days
• Quieter than summer
• Gardens awakening

Summer

Highlights:

• Best weather usually
• Long days
• Full facilities
• Common Riding festivals

Autumn

Highlights:

• Beautiful colours
• Quiet
• Often excellent weather
• Salmon running

Winter

Highlights:

• Very quiet
• Atmospheric
• Snow on hills possible
• Cosy pubs

Year-round destination. See our seasonal guides for specific tips.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Borders Pubs

Notable Options:

• Various in Melrose
• Peebles options
• Village pubs throughout
• Country hotels with bars

Character: Traditional Scottish hospitality. Dog-welcoming. Often excellent food.

The pub culture rivals Yorkshire for walker-friendliness. See our Pub Walks guide.

Getting There

Access

By Car:

• Edinburgh: 45 minutes to Peebles
• Newcastle: 1.5 hours
• M74/A68 from south

By Train: Borders Railway to Tweedbank (from Edinburgh). Limited but improving.

Getting Around

Car useful for exploring. Some bus services between towns.

Combining with Other Areas

Nearby Options

Edinburgh: Day trip to Scotland's capital. City culture plus Borders walks.

Northumberland: Continue south into England's quietest county. St Cuthbert's Way connects.

Scottish Highlands: Further north for mountain adventures.

Lake District: South to England's Lake District.

Practical Tips

Livestock

Sheep Country: Borders is agricultural. Sheep throughout. Dogs on leads around livestock essential.

Weather

Variable: Hills can be exposed. Weather changes. Come prepared for walks.

Quietness

The Appeal: Borders is quiet. That's the point. If you want bustle, look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Scottish Borders dog-friendly?

Very. Quiet walking, welcoming pubs, space and freedom. Livestock awareness needed.

How does it compare to the Highlands?

Lower, gentler hills. Closer to Edinburgh/England. Much quieter tourism. Different but equally rewarding.

Best area to stay?

Melrose for central location and character. Peebles for Tweed Valley. Kelso for eastern Borders.

Are the abbeys dog-friendly?

Grounds typically accessible. Check specific sites. Historic Scotland managed.

Is it busy?

No. One of Scotland's quieter regions. Space and peace.

Can I walk the Eildon Hills with my dog?

Yes, excellent walk. Moderate difficulty. Great views.

Quiet Borders Await

The Scottish Borders delivers what many seek but struggle to find - peaceful walking, space, and genuine rural character without crowds. Rolling hills, historic abbeys, and welcoming towns create underrated dog-friendly adventures.

Luke explores the Scottish Borders with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. The pack has discovered that Eildon Hill views, Tweed Valley walks, and the peaceful atmosphere make the Borders a rewarding destination.