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Phone: 01896 758042
Email: bandb@sunnybrae.co.uk

Copyright© 2001
Heron Systems & Sunnybrae.
Last Updated 30/01/08
D Anderson

Welcome to Sunnybrae Bed and Breakfast - in The Heart of the Scottish Borders.

Galashiels.

Galashiels lies in a valley where the Gala Water meets the Tweed. The town lived for many years on a prosperous textile industry. Old Gala House, home of the Lairds of Gala for centuries, is now a museum and art gallery set in landscaped gardens. Gala Aisle nearby, the burial place for the Lairds since the 17th Century, has recently been restored. The magnificent figure of the Border Reiver by local sculptor Thomas Clapperton marks past Borders history at the centre of the town.

The Tweed Cycle Way runs through Galashiels from Berwick to Biggar offering long trips. The 4 Abbeys route will suit short distance cyclists and gives geat views of Border scenery. For long distance walkers the Southern Upland Way passes through the town and St Cuthbert's Way ends nearby in Melrose. Closer to Galashiels there are opportunities for those cyclists and walkers looking for less strenuous exertions. More details below.

Two miles east of the town, Sir Walter Scott financed the building of Abbotsford House by the Tweed from writing his Waverley novels. Open to visitors, there are many artefacts on display.

To the north of Galashiels is the village of Stow whose history goes back to early Christian times and with some association with King Arthur. Nearer to Edinburgh lies Rosslyn Chapel linked to the Knights Templar of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Among its many strange unique features is the intricately carved Apprentice Pillar said to hide the resting place of the Holy Grail.

Historic Homes and Castles

The Borders' place-names reflect successive waves of invaders. Ancient fortifications, battlefields, castles, towerhouses and ruined abbeys are the essential backdrop of the region, as evocative now as they were to writers in the past. The frontier was always hotly contested and for a long time was beyond either Scottish or English law being ruled under its own Borders’ Law. This was the stamping ground of the border reivers, those horse and cattle thieves and murderers, who featured in the Border ballads. The Visitor Centre at Jedburgh Abbey gives an insight into the harsh daily life of medieval canons. Hermitage Castle in Liddesdale is a brooding example of the martial side of King David’s reign.

If you prefer the tranquility of later times, try Traquair, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, with links to Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobite Risings with oldest working brewery still producing its own Beers. The Edwardian Manderston at Duns, has a unique silver staircase. Mellerstain a great Georgian house with interiors by Robert Adam. Floors Castle Kelso, is an extravagant castellated fantasy and Abbotsford was home to Scotland's greatest novelist and antiquarian Sir Walter Scott. Bowhill near Selkirk, home of the Duke of Buccleuch hidden deep in woodland, has priceless paintings; Thirlestane Castle at Lauder exuberant Restoration ceilings; Ayton Castle, baronial in red sandstone, overlooks the border near Berwick; Paxton House near Berwick is a Palladian mansion designed by Adam and furnished by Chippendale.

Cycling and Walking

Walking

Many Border towns and villages, have short walks which will show you the history and architecture of the place with viewpoints of the surrounding areas. The Border forests such as Glentress, Cardrona, Yair, and Craik, have networks of footpaths with separate trails for mountain bikes and horses. These walks range from short strolls, of an hour or so, to longer walks of three or four hours. There is also a coastal walk between Lamberton to Cockburnspath with high sandstone cliffs, many small coves and natural harbours and is a must for Birdwatchers with St Abbs Head a National Nature Reserve where you might see kittiwake, fulmars, guillemots, gulls, cormorants and even puffin.

Click here for more details.

Cycling

The 4 Abbeys Cycle Route is a 55 mile circular route linking the abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh. The Tweed Cycleway is a waymarked cycle route, 89 miles, from Berwick to Biggar, avoiding busy roads almost entirely. The Coast and Castles route runs from Newcastle upon Tyne to Edinburgh, 200 miles.



Mountain Biking & Forest Walks

Glentress provides an interesting diversity of wildlife with good routes for walkers and spectacular runs for the off-roader of all grades of expereince. Hire Bikes are also available for visitors who just want to 'have a go'.

Other Forests of the Borders include

Craik Forest climbs from 200m (654ft) at Craik Village to over 450m (1470ft) and is well waymarked. The Red Route uses part of the International Standard competitive circuit - not for the inexperienced.

Caberston

Newcastleton

Elibank & Traquair is the largest in the Tweed Valley. The climb to the top of Minch Moor gives magnificent views all round.

Yair

Cademuir

Thornielee - good walks and the wood carving of Muckle Moo'ed Meg.

Cardrona

Swinnie

For more information on Glentress and links to these other Forests click on Glentress. For other cycling information click here for more details.

Gardens and Beauty Spots

Peace and tranquillity, bursts of colourful blooms and exciting environments we have hidden gems like the arboretum at Dawyck Botanic Garden near Peebles or picnicing in the woodland and mature gardens of Paxton House near Berwick.

Click here for more details.

Museums

The Borders’ rich history is brought to life in the region’s museums. The past is all around as you enter the chilly cell of the town jail, a replica of a fisherman’s cottage, a 19th century ironmonger’s shop or the brooding Drumlanrig’s Tower in Hawick, a stronghold of Border warfare from the Middle Ages.

Further Afield

Just over an hour's drive from Galashiels there are TWO World Heritage Sites.

1.New Lanark
Started in 1785 by David Dale as a new industrial settlement with cotton-spinning mills and tenement housing for the workforce it was one of the largest cotton-manufacturing centres in the UK. Under the management of Dale’s son-in-law, Robert Owen, New Lanark became a model community as he used the profits to finance social and educational reforms to improve the workers' lives. The cotton-mills continued in production until 1968.

2. Hadrian's Wall
The most important monument built in Roman Britain. It is the best known frontier in the Roman Empire a lasting reminder of Rome's glories. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987, it ranks alongside the Taj Mahal and similar wonders of the world.


Other Places withing easy travelling of Galashiels include:-

Lady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange Midlothian a museum of Mining history. See Scotland's largest steam engine, listen to stories of work in the mines from our guides, all former miners, see the pithead from where they plummeted 500 metres to the underground workings of ‘The Lady’ and learn about life for today’s miners at the coal face.

The Victorian splendour of Cragside House at Rothbury is the indulgence of industrialist Sir Joseph Swan, with a grand long gallery, amazing marble-work and the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity.





Rosslyn Chapel. Outstanding example of 15th Century gothic architecture. Famed for the beauty of its carvings and the aura of mystery and magic that surrounded them. The famous Apprentice Pillar, green men and others make Rosslyn a must for any visitor. Entrance free for children up to 13 years but not suitable for children under 10 years.

Visit one of the few Lowland Malt distilleries. GlenKinchie Distillery near Pentcaitland is open all year round and on your guided tour you will learn some of the secrets of the ancient craft of distilling. The museum provides a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of the industry.

Sports Activities

Archery and Outdoor Activities
Scottish Archery Centre North Berwick
Activesports Melrose

Golf
There is a wide selection of golf courses throughout the region.

Click here for more information.

Cycle Hire
Probike Sport Peebles Road Innerleithen
Tweed Valley Guiding

They cater for guided day and extended tours, on and off road, and training at all experience levels.

Horse Riding

The Borders has some of the best horse riding country in the UK catering for both experienced and the less intrepid by BHS approved riding centres and riding schools. Click here for more information.

Arts and Crafts

Throughout the Borders region a variety of workshops and shops provide a wide range of crafts artwork and locally produced giftware. A free booklet 'Arts & Crafts in the Scottish Borders' listing them is available from either local Tourist Information Centres or by contacting Scottish Borders Council on 01835 824000 Ext. 5432.

Food and Drink
In addition to those listed below Galashiels offers a range of eating places to suit all tastes and pockets.

For a guide to locally produced food and drink a free booklet 'a taste of the Scottish Borders' is available from Scottish Borders Council on 01835 824000 Ext. 5432.

Tracing Family History

The best way to start is to do as much of your basic research before you visit the area. Using the Internet, you may find the following sites useful.
If you want a local Borders company to do the searching for you, you may wish to try Scottish Genealogy Research in Galashiels.

The Region's Library Service has a unit in Selkirk where you can use the records they have available, including local newspapers. Searches invovling microfiche viewing are usually by prior appointment.