Scotland - Borders Attractions

The history of this region north of the Scottish-English border, which comprises the area around the Tweed valley south of the Pentland, Moorfoot and Lammermuir Hills, was greatly influenced by four famous abbeys which came into being during the reign of David I (1124-1153). Despite many attacks from across the border, the monasteries developed into important cultural and economic centers - even the king sometimes sought financial assistance from them. Agriculture, cattle, handicrafts and commerce all played an important role in the region's prosperity. When, in the middle of the 16th century, the English under the Earl of Hertford razed the monasteries to the ground, destroyed the crops in the fields, drove away the cattle and took everything that was not nailed to the floor, the local economy was shaken to its foundations. The Lowlands were discovered by tourists much later than the ever popular Highlands so beloved by the Romantics, even though there is no shortage of natural beauty and the region can boast many fine, historic buildings. The waymarked Southern Uplands Way that stretches 212mi/340km from Cockburnspath on the east coast to Portpatrick on the west is a favorite route with walkers.