4* Scottish Borders - Steam & Cruise

Itinerary

Holiday Highlights

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Porterage
• Free use of leisure facilities
• Excursions as stated
• Exclusive guided tour of Traquair House
• Morning coffee & shortbread at Traquair
• Entrance to The Great Tapestry of Scotland with history talk
• Return trip on Bo'ness & Kinneil Steam Railway
• Blackness Castle Cruise with Afternoon Tea
• Optional excursion to Edinburgh (or free time in Peebles or resort)

Discover the glorious Scottish Borders

Day 1 After joining your holiday coach, travel north with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive in Peebles this evening for your 4 night stay and late dinner. DBB

Day 2 - 4 At leisure in Peebles with two included excursions and one optional excursion

On your free day, your driver can drop you in Peebles with its picturesque main street set on a ridge between the River Tweed and the Eddleston Water amongst the rolling Border hills in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Made a Royal Burgh in 1152 by King David I of Scotland, it is just 5 miles from the hotel and offers award-winning restaurants, fine shopping, riverside walks and a charming, unspoilt character.
Alternatively join the optional excursion to Edinburgh or relax at your resort hotel with its extensive selection of leisure facilities and on-site activities (cost may apply).  

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Traquair House & The Great Tapestry of Scotland
Enjoy a visit to Traquair House where Lady Catherine Maxwell Stuart, the 21st Lady of Traquair, (subject to availability) personally guides you through Scotland's oldest inhabited house, which has welcomed a staggering 27 Kings and Queens of Scotland in its 900 years. Originally a royal hunting lodge, Traquair dates back to 1107 and has been lived in by the Stuart family since 1491. You will hear first-hand the stories of Mary Queen of Scots' two visits and the diplomatic intrigue sparked in this imposing home. Morning coffee and shortbread will be served in the Dining Room and there will be time to explore the natural beauty of Traquair's grounds. There are no formal gardens but a designed landscape of woodlands, an old walled garden and the largest labyrinth hedge maze in Scotland.
 
Head to Galashiels, the historic textile heartland of the Scottish Borders where there will be time for lunch before visiting The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Europe's largest tapestry. One thousand stitchers created this masterpiece over 50,000 hours using 300 miles of wool to create 160 panels which tell the intensely moving narrative of Scotland's history, its people and its landscapes. Located in a purpose-built 5* visitor centre, the tapestry is one of the most ambitious community projects ever undertaken in Scotland - an artwork by the nation for the nation. A costumed guide will give an informative history talk.

Forth Sea Train Adventure - Steam & Cruise
Head to Bo'Ness station for a nostalgic trip on the heritage Bo'Ness & Kinneil steam railway. There's nothing like a journey by steam to enjoy a scenic 10-mile return trip along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the dramatic Avon Viaduct.

Next stop is Queensferry to enjoy one of the best afternoons out in Scotland on a Forth boat tour. Take in views of the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before. View Blackness Castle (as featured in Outlander and Outlaw King) and known as the ship that never sails and pass Limekilns village, as mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped. As you relax on your 90-minute cruise with a nice cup of tea, admiring the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge, tuck into a delicious afternoon tea afloat

OPTIONAL EXCURSION
A Day in Edinburgh 
Head to Scotland's delightful Capital City of Edinburgh. With its stunning architecture, endless winding streets and an awe-inspiring castle perched on a dormant volcano, there's nowhere else quite like it. You're never far from cultural attractions in Edinburgh where the energetic can scale the famous Scott monument (approx. £8 pp in 2024) or the culture vultures can admire artworks in galleries and treasured wonders in museums, or perhaps you prefer to find your favourite dram in a charming whisky pub. There are so many fascinating sites including Arthur's Seat, The Palace of Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle (entrances not included) and many attractions are free of charge to visit such as The Scottish National Gallery, the Royal Botanic Garden, the Museum of Childhood and St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile. Your driver may be able to offer a guided city tour for an additional cost - details locally.

Day 5 Breakfast and depart heading south with ample comfort stops on the way to interchange. Back to top

Accommodation

Peebles Hydro Resort

4* Peebles Hydro is beautifully set in gardens, surrounded by forest, and is a charming, historic resort hotel. It dates from the late 19th century when it was originally a centre for hydropathic treatments, as the water in the surrounding area is known for its healthy properties.

The River Tweed is a short walk from the hotel and Edinburgh is about an hour's drive away. Guestrooms feature classic décor, free Wi-Fi, TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. All single rooms are double for sole use. There is a lift to all floors but some rooms are not lift accessible.

There is a sophisticated restaurant, an informal lounge and a smart cocktail bar. The extensive leisure facilities include a 20m indoor pool, gym and spa (treatments payable and pre-booking recommended) and there is an amazing selection of activities available from archery to axe-throwing, air rifles to a tour of the hotel's very own gin distillery (all chargeable) Back to top