St Boswells and the Tweed
rolling hills, lush green fields and riverside paths
St Boswells, Melrose, Scottish Borders, TD6 0AL
Visit WebsiteThe River Tweed flows for 97 miles along the border between England and Scotland. In fact, the name ‘Tweed’ comes from an old Celtic word meaning border, and the area through which this mighty river flows is steeped in history. Rolling hills and lush green fields welcome you to the Southern Uplands, Scotland’s best kept secret.
- Children Welcome
- Multiple Dogs Allowed
- Parking
- Rural Walks
Good to know
Overview
While the Tweed is one of Europe’s most famous salmon rivers, the countryside here is also a walker’s delight. Many stretches of the river offer gentle walking and fabulous viewpoints. One of our favourites is the Walkhighlands route starting from the historic village of St Boswells. The route combines parts of the St Cuthbert’s Way and the Borders Abbey Way, making for an easy circular walk of four miles.
Mostly using riverside paths, there are plenty of opportunities to let your dog have a good run off the lead – or take a dip, but be sure to keep them under close control if you pass through any fields with livestock. The walk offers great views of the iconic Eildon Hills and a visit to the dog friendly Dryburgh Abbey can easily be incorporated.
Perched on the banks of the river, the abbey is a beautiful spot, and it’s the perfect place to stop and enjoy a picnic. We’re not the only ones to think so: the novelist Sir Walter Scott and his wife chose the abbey for their final resting place, close to their nearby home at Abbotsford. From the abbey, it’s not far to walk back to the start, crossing over a suspension bridge with more great views of the Tweed and of course, a few more swimming opportunities.
For The Dogs
Bring leads, towels and poop bags.
Opening Hours
Daylight hours are recommended.
Parking
You’ll find free parking along the village green in St Boswells. The nearest postcode is TD6 0AL.
The Area
The Borders are steeped in history. If you go back to 340 million years ago, this part of Scotland was a red sandy desert with a liberal helping of volcanoes. Many are still around today in the form of relatively low and accessible hills: why not tackle the Eildon Hills near Melrose or Ruberslaw near Hawick? If a hill isn’t for you but you still want a bit of a challenge, the Borders Abbey Way is a 68-mile long trail connecting the four major abbeys of Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh.
For more walks, pubs and places to stay, see our guide to dog friendly Scotland.
