We knew we wanted to see a bit of Edinburgh while we were in Scotland (more on our time there next list), but it proved to be over our budget. So we posted ourselves in a small community a train ride away, knowing we could pop up for a few day trips. We thought we’d probably have a peaceful and bucolic and restoratively boring week in little Tweedbank. Two of those descriptions were accurate.
First of all, the river has a lovely wooded trail alongside, which connects the village to other villages, all with their own charming little attractions.
One day we visited a local gallery in a historic house with cats stalking squirrels around the pond in the yard and a snail scavenger hunt among the rooms.
We walked to the ruins of Melrose Abbey, where Robert the Bruce’s heart is buried, and which is surrounded by stunning gardens.
We toured Sir Walter Scott’s mansion, whose 2-story study with a secret-telling cupboard and a hidden staircase to his bedroom made us all quite envious (not to mention the extensive grounds).
We drove an hour to a muddy field (getting a bit lost since the only advertisement for the location was a hanging red frisbee) to watch a national sheepdog competition. It was cold and rainy and the dogs were amazing to watch. (An international competitor from Belgium told us these dogs are the best in Scotland, and Scottish sheepdogs are the best in the world.) The winner that day was an 86-yr-old man.
Plus we did what we always do: wander and take random turns and ramble between playgrounds.
So glad we “settled” for an out-of-the-way location!
Magrilless 
Ooooh!