The Scottish Borders

Harmony Garden in Melrose is a horticultural delight, providing a tranquil escape from the hubbub of everyday life. With colourful displays in the flower beds, perfectly manicured lawns and a thriving kitchen garden, Harmony is perfectly in tune with nature. The outstanding views of Melrose Abbey and the nearby Eildon Hills are an added bonus.

Nearby Priorwood Garden is dedicated to the art of dried flower arranging. This unique garden is situated in Melrose Abbey’s ancient precinct and offers an opportunity to discover how to grow, preserve and arrange dried flowers. It also features a woodland garden and ancient orchard with over 90 apple varieties.

Robert Smail’s Printing Works in the village of Innerleithen will whisk you back in time. Discover how printing was carried out by highly skilled printers, with individual letters of type set by hand, presses operated with foot treadles and power generated by waterwheel. You can try your hand at typesetting, and discover the origin of everyday phrases such as ‘mind your Ps and Qs’.

Standing on the high cliffs at St Abb’s National Nature Reserve, you may feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. But this property isn’t nearly as remote as it appears – it’s only 4 miles from the A1 and a few minutes’ walk from the nearest car park.

St Abb’s Head is home to thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills, as well as seals, dolphins, colourful wildflowers and butterflies. The nature reserve extends to a nearby freshwater loch, which is home to equally outstanding flora and fauna.