See & do
​Whilst at The Potting Shed, you will be surrounded by woodland, wildlife and wonderful views. There are stunning walks on the doorstep and local access to some of the best beats on the Tweed. However, we are also ideally located for exploring the very best of what the Scottish Borders has to offer, from breathtaking coastal walks and mountain biking trails to historic houses and gardens, abbeys and a wealth of independent shops. There really is something for everyone.
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Border history
The Scottish Borders has a rich, yet sometimes bloody history. Here, from the 13th to the 17th century, 'reiving' (the raiding of cattle and sheep) was commonplace amongst Border clans (on both sides of the border). Each year, in March, is the Hawick Reivers Festival - an invitation to step back in time and explore the turbulent history.
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Another centuries-old tradition, and a spectacle not to be missed, is our 'Common Ridings'. Between June and August, 11 towns host individual festivals and ride-outs to commemorate the ancient practice of riding the boundaries (to ensure that no one was encroaching on the town‘s common lands). Today, the ride-out consists of a procession of riders dressed in their finest riding outfits, with around a hundred horses and riders per event.
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Coast
​Check out the surf at the beautiful (dog-friendly) Coldingham Bay, and the walks and wildlife at St Abbs nature reserve. The Northumberland coast is just under an hour away.
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Cycling
The combination of stunning scenery and quiet roads makes the Borders a popular place for cycling. Avoiding busy roads almost entirely, the Tweed Cycle Way is a 95-mile waymarked cycle route, which runs through the heart of the Scottish Borders. The 4 Abbeys Cycle Route is a 55-mile circular route linking the four main abbeys in the Scottish Borders: Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh.
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Edinburgh
The cosmopolitan delights of Edinburgh and only an hour away. The Potting Shed is just a 10-minute drive from Tweedbank railway station on the Borders Railway.
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Fishing
Prime Tweed beats 5 minutes from your door include Gledswood, Old Melrose, Tweedswood and Bemersyde. Fishing can also be arranged through Mike Allan who is an experienced Borders River Guide with excellent knowledge of the local area. He offers a range of services to suit individual needs and experience.
​Historic houses and gardens
Nearby are Floors Castle, Thirlstane Castle, Bowhill House, Abbotsford House, Mellerstain House. Further afield but within an hour’s drive are Traquair House and Kailzie Gardens to the west, and Paxton House to the east. Check out the Historic Houses website for more details. All of these attractions welcome dogs in the grounds and gardens.
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Horse riding
Horse riding and riding lessons are available from our neighbours at the Cowdenknowes Equestrian.
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Market towns
Explore the market towns of Melrose with its now famous Borders Book Festival every June and rugby 7s tournament in April , or Kelso and Jedburgh and their famous Abbeys and independent shops. Kelso was voted 'Most Dog-Friendly Town' in 2016.
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Mountain biking
There are plenty of mountain biking opportunities locally, including the internationally famous 7 Stanes and Glentress Forest which are under an hour away. Mountain bikers will love to experience the many events during Tweed Love each May and June.
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Walking
Local walks from the door include the Black Hill and Leaderfoot. There is also easy access to long distance routes including the Southern Upland Way and St Cuthbert’s Way. Dogs are welcome on the walking trails at Glentress.
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