Plan Your Trip

From opening times and travel links to the best places to refuel and refresh, find everything you need to help you explore Tweed Valley Words, our literary trail.

When to visit

The literary heritage of the Tweed Valley can be enjoyed all year round, but visitors should be mindful that a small number of attractions close for the winter season. John Buchan Story, Robert Smail’s Printing Works, Traquair and Bowhill all close their doors towards the end of the year, so please check ahead before visiting.

Neidpath Castle offer a monthly tour from May through to October – but private tours are available all year round by appointment. Contact the team directly for details.

Getting here

Close enough to reach without difficulty, but still managing to feel miles from it all, the Tweed Valley is well served by road, rail, and air.

Once in the valley, Borders Buses operate regular services to various destinations along the literary trail. The X62 service (Edinburgh to Galashiels) connects towns and villages between Peebles and Galashiels, including Glentress, Innerleithen and Clovenfords. Once at Galashiels Transport Interchange, there are onward connections by train and bus to Edinburgh, Tweedbank and the wider Tweed Valley (bus only). A minibus from Tweedbank to Abbotsford runs on selected days of the week – or those on foot can enjoy the 20-minute walk to Sir Walter Scott’s home along the Abbotsford Link.

Scottish Borders Council manage the 91 bus service (Peebles to Biggar) with stops including Stobo Kirk and Broughton. It’s ideal for hill walkers taking on sections of the John Buchan Way or those looking to explore the village that Buchan spent time holidaying in as a young boy. Follow signs for the John Buchan Way on the wooden waymarker at Stobo bus stop.

If arriving by car, parking is available at Kingsmeadows or the Eastgate (Peebles) or Hall Street (Innerleithen). It’s a short walk from here to either town’s vibrant high street.

Tour guides & further info

We’re delighted to offer visitors a go-to place for local tourism information right in the heart of the Tweed Valley.

Located on Peebles High Street, our Visitor Information Centre is a welcoming space to discover more about the beauty spots and shops, activities, eateries and attractions that make the Tweed Valley so unique. Free, Tweed Valley Words trail maps can be picked up from the information centre, plus other locations along the length of the route.

Innerleithen-based tour guide, Stewart Wilson, knows a tale or two about the valley and wider 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 the Borders, with options for half and full day tours. See Tweed Valley Blogger for more information.

accommodation

The Tweed valley is well served by hotels and guesthouses, self-catering apartments, lodges and more. Many of the literary landmarks on the trail even offer visitors atmospheric stays on site for a fully immersive experience! Discover self-catering options at Neidpath Castle, Bowhill, Abbotsford and Traquair – with the latter also offering B&B accommodation and motorhome stays in the grounds.

Looking to camp along the way? Tweedside Caravan Park on the outskirts of Innerleithen and Glentress Forest Lodges both offer camping with spectacular views.

Refuelling & shops

With their enviable selection of independent shops, supermarkets, cafes and eateries, Peebles and Innerleithen are natural stops for those journeying along the literary trail.

Look out too for these excellent eateries at literary landmarks on the route:

• Wee Crook Cafe (a Tweedsmuir classic nestled beneath the hills)

• Laurel Bank Tearoom (Broughton cafe perfect for John Buchan Way adventurers)

• Dawyck Botanic Garden Cafe (a quick stop en route to Stobo Kirk)

• Old Walled Garden Cafe (hearty bites and coffees in the grounds of Traquair)

• Abbotsford or The Great Tapestry of Scotland (historic refreshments in and around Galashiels)

• Old Kitchen Cafe (light lunches and cakes at ‘Sweet Bowhill’)

• Glen Cafe (scenic snacks overlooking St Mary’s and Loch of the Lowes)

For more insider knowledge on places to eat, drink and shop in the valley, contact the Visitor Information Centre.

other Adventures

Once you’ve enjoyed your Tweed Valley Words adventure, stay a while longer and discover everything else the area has to offer!

Along with gorgeous gardens and cultural riches, the Tweed Valley has an enviable outdoor activities offer, including some of the best mountain biking, hiking, trail running, horse riding and road cycling in the UK. It also boasts the south of Scotland’s first official canoe trail – an alternative way to experience the majestic River Tweed and landscapes around.

A final word …

Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water in Scotland providing they behave responsibly. Access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. If coming to walk our trails, enjoy our forests or spend time on or around our rivers and lochs, please adhere to the spirit of the code at all times.

Image credits: Room @1 Chapel Street; Ian Linton