The Borders lie mid-way between Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh and Newcastle, the industrial capital of the north of England. Both cities were rich prizes in ancient wars of conquest and independence.
            HOME AT FIRST’s accommodations here by the southern border with England are spacious, comfortable cottages neighboring the handsome, historic town of Melrose.

LOCATE THE SCOTTISH BORDERS ON HOME AT FIRST'S MAP OF SCOTLAND.

        Scotland's great writer, Walter Scott, came to the Borders east of Melrose as a small boy recovering from polio. His boyhood exploits by Smailholm Tower inspired his future romantic adventure novels and poems, many of which were set in Scotland. As an adult Scott returned to the Borders, where he lived as a titled landowner in his country manor, Abbotsford House, just outside of Melrose.
        The lush rural landscapes of the Scottish Borders have changed little since Sir Walter Scott died at Abbots-ford and was buried nearby at Dryburgh Abbey.

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        HOME AT FIRST’s Scottish Borders cottages are well equipped with all the comforts of home. Moreover, they are perfectly located as bases for day trips throughout southern Scotland (from Glasgow and Edinburgh south) and northern England (from Newcastle north, including the Northumberland National Park).

HOME AT FIRST COTTAGES & MELROSE
SCENES, SCOTTISH BORDERS.
All Photos © HOME AT FIRST

JUST OUTSIDE OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE

DUKE'S ESTATE
COTTAGES
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Click on the link for more information about
HOME AT FIRST COTTAGES IN THE BORDERS.

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         The Borders of Scotland is a region for centuries in dispute, fought for by Celts, Romans, Vikings, Angles, Normans, English and Scots.
 

 

MELROSE ABBEY
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

 

THE HERMITAGE CASTLE
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

        Today, the Scottish Borders is a peaceful region. Here is a pleasant landscape dotted with small villages and larger market towns. Agriculture is the way of life. The many walking paths offer tranquility. The many great abbeys and castles are curiosities standing as mute witnesses to a much less peaceful history.

        Of course there are castles to explore, for the Borders has them in abundance. There is also wonderful walking along short paths or long-distance routes. The Borders is a great place to shop for woolens, and to discover real ales in friendly pubs. In Scotland, both coasts plus the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are easy day trips, as is York city in northern England. Golfers of all levels will be tempted by the wide variety of courses within reach, including some of the greatest Scottish links on both coasts. And anglers will want to cast a line in the region's many superb streams full of fish.

 

FISHING ON THE RIVER TWEED
Photo © HOME AT FIRST