Tweedbreaks What To Do Around Kelso

Kelso is situated at the confluence of the Tweed and Teviot rivers and is the site of the 12th century Abbey. The cobbled town square has a Flemish feel to it unique to the Scottish Borders.

Situated on the outskirts of Kelso and open to the public, Floors Castle is the home of the Duke of Roxburgh. It provides a worthy experience for more than just a rainy day. The are many other country houses within a short drive including Manderston, Paxton House, and Traquair House. It is but a short drive to the historic fortified town walls of Berwick. Edinburgh is an hour away by car.

The Cheviot Hills and the unspoilt Berwickshire coast provide wonderful opportunities for both walking and just enjoying a quiet time whilst the drive across the tidal causeway to Holy Island makes a unique experience if combined with a visit to Lindisfarne Castle and Priory.

A network of cycle ways fills the valley and surrounding area and provides an opportunity to explore the area without an impact on the environment. If you choose this means of transport it is worth noting that there is a well stocked cycle shop in Kelso and a cycle hire shop (including tandems) in Jedburgh.

The river Tweed and it's tributaries enjoy worldwide renown for the quality of the fishing for salmon, trout and grayling. Some of the fishing is very expensive and inaccessible, much of it is within the reach of the visitor and can be enjoyed by all. There is even free fishing on the town water just outside the windows of Duncan House.

If you need help or advice we can arrange the services of Eoin Fairgrieve as a casting instructor and guide. We can also arrange the services of other local guides.

Fishing tackle may be bought or hired from shops in Kelsoor St Boswells. Our riverbank picnic lunch baskets are gaining a reputation and have recently been the envy of several fishing huts.

There are many golf courses in the area from the charming 9 hole riverside course at St Boswells to the course in Kelso located on the racecourse and the links courses on the coast. The new Roxburgh course is only a short distance out of town. A 'Freedom of the Fairways' passport gives you access to 21 golf courses in the area at fantastic prices

Kelso also offers horse riding, swimming, curling and National Hunt racing in the respective seasons.

The sea bird sanctuaries of the Farne Islands and St. Abbs head are well worth a visit. There is an abundance of wild life to be discovered along the banks of the Tweed and it's tributaries. Otters flourish in the clear waters while dippers forage for insect lavae by diving beneath the swift streams. Aquatic life abounds, supporting a huge run of salmon which begin entering the Tweed in the early Spring with the main run of fish reaching a climax in the Autumn. The salmon provide a major source of income for the valley and surrounding areas, the Tweed being one of the four major salmon fisheries in the country.