See & Do along the route

History and heritage. Activity and adventure. Arts and culture. There’s so much to discover along the Tweed Valley stage of the Tour

The peleton may fly past in the blink of an eye next July, but the valley has an enduring appeal – with plenty of activity to keep all happy before and after the men’s Tour de France 2027.

Innerleithen

The TdF enters the Tweed Valley just north of Innerleithen on the famous ‘Granites’ road. The old mill town is widely celebrated for its mountain biking scene but paddlers are also attracted to the town for their own challenge along the River Tweed. The section of the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail running from Peebles to Innerleithen is perfect for paddlers of all abilities – and for those who enjoy being fully immersed, it’s hard to beat a wild swim in the pools that form where the River Leithen meets the mighty Tweed.

There are hill walks and riverside rambles at every turn too. Leithen Water & Pirn Wood is a local classic that takes in a lively fish ladder and the Mill Lade Trail and for those with more energy to burn, the hike from Traquair to Minch Moor via a section of the Southern Upland Way rewards with impressive views for miles (on a clear day!). Less arduous but equally impressive is Pirn Hill – the site of two Iron Age hill forts and an imposing circle of cairns topped with carved sandstone tablets that proudly depict the town’s history and heritage. Just along the road, a quirky nine-hole golf club makes for a fun morning or afternoon outdoors.

Pirn Hill also offers a magnificent view over to Traquair – the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland (pictured above) and another fine place for a visit. While away hours exploring the exquisite house, peaceful walled gardens, dramatic beech-hedged maze and onsite brewery and cafe.

Innerleithen’s High Street is proudly independent and boasts Robert Smail’s Printing Works (managed by the National Trust for Scotland) The Hub on the High Street and FINDRA – all mini-destinations in their own right. And when the lights go down – or the need to refuel arises – there’s a healthy smattering of cafes, restaurants, pubs, a taproom and craft brewery to keep the spirits high.

Walkerburn

Like much of the valley, Walkerburn is inextricably connected to water. Its very name derives from the ‘Walker Burn’, a lively waterway that flows into the village from the slopes above Priesthope to the north.

When the Walkerburn mills were originally built, a lade running from a nearby crook in the Tweed produced enough power to keep the greatwheels turning. As production expanded in the early 1920s, a revolutionary system was built that pumped water from the River Tweed up to a reservoir on Kirnie Law, high above the village. The hydro-electric power system fell out of use in the late 1940s, but remnants of the old reservoir can still be explored today. Take a walk or cycle up Priesthope and on to Kirnie Law to admire the graffitied relic of the village’s industrial heritage – taking in the impressive views along the way.

The section of traffic-free, Tweed Valley Railway Path that runs between Walkerburn and Innerleithen makes for a beautiful walk, scoot or pedal along the riverside. It also marks the start of the prime River Tweed fishing beats, a sport synonymous with the Scottish Borders. Experienced fishing guides are on hand to help visitors cast a line in one of Europe’s greatest salmon fishing rivers – or fish for brown trout in the still waters at nearby Kailzie Estate)

When it’s time to pause and refuel, the Caberston Farm Coffee Shop at the heart of the village offers the perfect sanctuary.

Peebles

Not technically on the TdF route – but only a short bus ride or drive from Innerleithen - historic Peebles is packed with year-round activity. Golf, fishing, trail running and ziplining through the trees at Go Ape Peebles are all part and parcel of life in and around this most lively of towns.

Classic walks (or trail runs) including the Neidpath Castle Circuit and Venlaw & Soonhope leave from the town centre – with longer hikes including the John Buchan Way and Dun Rig Horseshoe promising bigger days out in the surrounding hills.

The literary connections run deep in the town too, with the John Buchan Story shining a light on the fascinating life of one of the area’s most notable writers. John and sister Anna feature in Tweed Valley Words, a literary trail with several landmarks in and around Peebles (look for red door at Bank House) and as far along the valley as Abbotsford near Melrose – another celebrated town on the TdF route.

For more arts and culture locally, lthe fabulous Eastgate Theatre hosts a captivating programme of music and drama, film, talk, dance and more, with seasonal festivals celebrating nature and the outdoors now firmly established on the local events calendar.

And for gorgeous gardens and a world-class arboretum, head to Dawyck Botanic Garden or Kailzie Estate – both on the outskirts of Peebles, and both jam-packed with seasonal displays and home to some of Scotland’s most treasured trees.

For the inside scoop on the best places to eat, the most striking viewpoints and the must-see attractions in the wider Tweed Valley, drop into the Visitor Information Centre on School Brae for a chat. Need a guide? We heartily recommend Stewart Wilson (Tweed Valley Blogger) and Morven and William (Drummond Scottish Tours) for local tours of the valley – they know this patch like the back of their hands.