Explore the trail

Dramatic landscapes. Historic houses and castles. Museums and murals. Come and discover a valley rich in words and stories

Tales of battles and heroism, travel writing, love ballads and even the 420-million-year history of Scotland itself – the Tweed Valley is overflowing with stories waiting to be shared.

Take a journey with Tweed Valley Words and uncover the people and places that lie at the heart of these captivating stories. From works penned by Scotland’s greatest writers – including Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns – to that of literary siblings, John and Anna Buchan and the Wordsworths, the trail explores the wealth of historic (and contemporary) writing inspired by the landscapes and communities around.

Created in collaboration with local literary partners, the trail can be enjoyed over several days, allowing time to pause and explore all landmarks and attractions along the way. Others may choose to dip in and out, visiting locations of interest in the time that’s available.

Sections of the trail can be connected on foot or by bike – especially those that take in the Tweed Valley Railway Path (Peebles to Walkerburn) and John Buchan Way (Peebles to Broughton). Head to our Plan Your Trip page to discover other ways to experience the trail via public transport.

Literary Landmarks

Tweed Valley Words features key literary landmarks and lesser-known places of interest spanning the valley from Tweedsmuir all the way down to Abbotsford, the fantastical home of Sir Walter Scott. St Mary’s Loch and Bowhill to the south are also connected. Discover the stories woven into each in the sections below.