led by locals

Here in the Tweed Valley, we are lucky to have a wealth of local experts, from tour guides and trail fairies to walkers and wild swimmers – all on hand to enrich the visitor experience. Here’s a selection of the best …

Walking and guided tours

Innerleithen-based tour guide and blogger, Stewart Wilson (pictured, right), knows a thing or two about the Tweed Valley and wider reaches of the Scottish Borders. A ‘magpie historian’, always on the look out for shiny nuggets and a good story, he’s passionate about his home patch and writes beautifully about the people and places that make the area so unique. Stewart offers private, tailored tours across southern Scotland and northern England, with options for half and full day tours. Low carbon tours are also available. Check out Tweed Valley Blogger for more information and follow him on his Instagram travels at @tweedvalleyblogger.

Equally knowledgable about the region – and Scotland at large – is Borders-based tour operator, Drummond Scottish Tours. Whether looking for a tour tailored to your interests or a thoughtfully designed package, this private, family-run company can happily accommodate your needs. Offering everything from single-day adventures to multi-day journeys, their unique tours promise experiences to remember alongside flexible pick-ups/drop-offs and convenient, door to door services. Your perfect tour is in safe hands with Morven and William (pictured, left) – visit their website or follow them on socials for all the inspiration you need!

Bike guiding

Over the past decade, the Tweed Valley has become something of a bike resort with hundreds of kilometres of trails spread across two designated trail centres, a variety of forests and into the hills and far away. With many of the trails covered by guidebooks and apps, you can create your own big days out – but nothing quite beats learning from local experts who know the area like the back of their hands.

If it’s mountain bike guiding you are looking for, Ridelines and Dirt School offer guided rides to every secret spot and gorgeous corner of the Tweed Valley. The same applies to Tweed Valley Guides (Dirt School’s sister company), plus Ride Innerleithen and Adrenalin Uplift. And for self-guided route ideas, the excellent Bike Valley Trails offers off- and on-road options for every kind of rider.

Discover more about these local biking gurus on our Ride Like a Local page.

Other activity guides

For those looking to experience our remarkable landscapes, Tweed Valley Wilding (pictured, left) offers wild swim adventures plus guided walks and nature connection experiences throughout the valley. Immerse yourself in the River Tweed’s refreshing waters with qualified wild swim guide, Mountain Leader and botanist Ingrid Campbell – as seen on Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim – and guaranteed you will leave feeling more relaxed and in tune with your wilder self. Whether a complete beginner or an experienced dipper, Ingrid will find an adventure perfect for you.

There are further adventures to be had on the water too with Craig Kerr, a hugely experienced paddle guide (pictured, right). The face of activity provider Biggar Adventure, Craig offers a variety of bespoke trips along the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail (including overnight camps), connecting paddlers with the natural landscape and the many attractions and communities dotted along the river’s length. The 30-mile trail is a perfect two or three-day adventure for paddlers of all abilities – or an immersive journey that can be tackled section by section over time.

Further info

Looking for more? Let our local riders and trail runners, paddlers and hikers share their favourite adventures in the wilder reaches of the valley.

And for insider tips on the tastiest scones and most romantic swim spots, must-see attractions and latest outdoor shops, drop into the Go Tweed Valley Visitor Information Centre in Peebles. Our visitor centre manager and team have unrivalled knowledge of this corner of Scotland and are always happy to point you in the right direction.