Tweed Valley Blogger

21/11/2024

Check out this great blog by Amy Lynch of Lonely Planet. I guided Amy on a press trip for a couple of days earlier in the autumn, with some great wee hikes and lots of stories of The Borders. We even managed a cheeky pint in Kelso to top it all off. What a great article, encouraging visitors to chose The Borders for a weekend break. Delighted that Amybhas featured a couple of my blogs on here. Enjoy, and thanks Amy and South of Scotland Destination Alliance for inviting me along!

The Trimontium Trust & Museum
Mainstreet Trading Company
Lisa Seccombe
BurtsTownHouse Melrose
Lonely Planet

Here's how to spend your weekend among the beautiful landscapes and historic towns of the Scottish Borders.

19/11/2024

Thanks for the brilliant response to my Twixmas Storytelling Walk at Peebles - Sold Out! All the tickets are gone, so you have missed your chance to join us on the 29th.

All is not lost though, given it's still six weeks to go, I have added an extra date so if you missed out you can now grab a ticket for Monday 30 December at 11am. Available now, hit the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/river-tweed-trail-storytelling-walk-peebles-extra-date-tickets-1087996208949?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

18/11/2024

The penultimate episode of season one of Tweed Valley Echoes, my podcast recorded across The Borders, is now live and is my own personal favourite of the series so far. It was recorded in Allanton and Berwick Upon Tweed and focuses on Berwickshire, the history of the wonderful town of Berwick Upon Tweed, it’s unique place in the UK today and my own views on why it’s so special. I hope you enjoy what is in many ways a love letter to Berwick, a placed that I have such affection and respect for.

Available now on Spotify (or wherever else you get your podcasts): https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ByNLXqApc989TYCUFjA91

Check out the supporting blog post: https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog/tweed-valley-echoes-podcast-episode-six

Please also check out Allanton Inn Visit Berwick-upon-Tweed and Destination Tweed UK

Couple of weeks off for the podcast now, before we round off season one with a Christmassy visit to Abbotsford The Home of Sir Walter Scott

17/11/2024

Hi, I am Stewart, AKA Tweed Valley Blogger, Tour Guide and Blogger based in The Scottish Borders. It’s 18 months now since I took my passion for The Borders and turned it into my job. With Black Friday coming up, and email inboxes filling up with deals/guff (delete as applicable), I want to let you know I have no intention of any bargains, as I think I already provide great value. I do however want to make sure people following me know what I offer and, importantly, that there’s something for everyone’s budget!

⌨I have more than 150 blogs now, a mixture of ideas for days out, favourite hikes in The Borders and lots of historical goodies. They are free for anyone to read and share, with no ads, so dive in and enjoy. https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog

🎧If you prefer audio, then you can now listen to my adventures on Tweed Valley Echoes podcast. The first series is almost complete, and features me telling tales of The Borders out on location and giving you recommendations for the best places to spend your time and cash today. It’s free, and available on Spotify and all major podcast apps. Christmas special to come and Season Two starts in February. https://open.spotify.com/show/3f8ctSSRC4tSfbuGQg5jBN

🗣If you want to go beyond the digital, then you can join me for walking tours in The Borders, and beyond. I love my budget friendly public tours - Twixmas Walk at Peebles on 29 December is my next one is £12 for adults, accompanied Under 16s go free. Grab a ticket before they all go!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/river-tweed-trail-storytelling-walk-peebles-tickets-1046428875937?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

👣I also operate Private Walking Tours, where you and your group set the date, time and starting location for a group of up to 8 pals. These range from £75 for an Intro to Innerleithen to £300 for a full day in Glasgow.
https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/walking-tours

🚗My business is built around my private, driver led tours where I welcome your party of up to 4 people into my vehicle, and bring The Borders to life. These are fully bespoke, built to your specifications and interests – be it ancestry, wildlife, history, textiles, culture, whisky or anything – let’s make it happen. These are £450 for 2025, but during the winter months, with daylight at a premium, the tours are shorter and prices lower.
https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/tvb-tours-1

👑If you suffer from a bit of analysis paralysis and don’t want to have a bespoke tour, then I would suggest my own favourite, summer special – Mary Queen of Scots in The Borders. A day full of stories and iconic locations. £450 – runs 1 April to 30 September 2025.
https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/maryqueenofscots

📥Finally, if you are reading this and think “he lost me at Scottish Borders” then check out my free ‘Borders Explorer Guide’, giving you the lowdown on the area in a free, downloadable PDF.
https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog/the-scottish-borders-has-entered-the-chat

My aim is always to provide rich, insightful, unforgettable and fun experiences that value your time and interest. Quality over quantity, and supporting the unique, personal adventures that make life fun! Creating memories, not just collecting bargains. Thanks for reading 😀

15/11/2024

❄️Join Tweed Valley Blogger for a winters River Tweed Trail Storytelling Walk ❄️

Looking for a unique and fun way to spend the Twixmas period? On December 29, embark on an engaging guided walk at Peebles with our special Twixmas River Tweed Trail Storytelling Walk, with your guide Stewart Wilson (Tweed Valley Blogger) All thoughts of over indulgence will be forgotten on this 2.5 hour adventure.

ℹ Event Highlights

Neidpath Tunnel and Viaduct. Learn the forgotten stories behind these engineering masterpieces and brave the dark tunnel!

The River Tweed. Enjoy one of the finest stretches of river anywhere in Scotland and learn about how The Tweed has shaped The Borders.

Peebles long history. Let your knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide surprise you with tales of Peeblesshire's storied past.

🗓 Date: Sunday 29 December 🕛 Time: 11am - 1.30pm 📍 Location: Peebles Old Parish Church Steps

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of The River Tweed in the heart of winter. Whether you are a visitor or local, wrap up warm for an adventure that'll blast away the cobwebs!

🎟 Tickets: £12 for over 16's, Accompanied Under 16s go free. Available now on Eventbrite (see Ts&Cs)

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/river-tweed-trail-storytelling-walk-peebles-tickets-1046428875937?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

This event is inspired by the Destination Tweed UK River Tweed Trail - coming in 2028.

14/11/2024

Neidpath by candlelight. 🕯️

Brilliant year of guiding at the castle comes to an end. Here’s to more fun and tales in 2025 🙂

11/11/2024

🎧New Podcast Out Now🎧

Join me at Ettrickbridge, in the footsteps of Wat Scott, Border Reiver and ancestor of Sir Walter Scott. I journey to his tower at Kirkhope, and along the way give my views on the legacy of Border Reivers, the families who made The Borders a lawless place for a century. I also bring it up to date by recommending walks and the brilliant Cross Keys Inn Ettrickbridge for a post walk refreshment!

Enjoy the episode, available now wherever you get your podcasts, or by clicking the link below.

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/pXRVt77NnOb

10/11/2024

Here's what my guests have said about me on Tripadvisor this year, in word cloud format! 👏

Very grateful for the support of guests, these traveller reviews have made me the top rated Tour Guide for The Scottish Borders on TripAdvisor. 🙏

Want to see what the fuss is for yourself? Head over to tweedvalleyblogger.com/tours to book your own surprising and fun day out today ☑️

08/11/2024

Dryburgh Abbey is free to visit from tomorrow, Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 November. During this time you will be able to see a remembrance poppy display created in collaboration with local Primary School children from across the Scottish Borders. Dryburgh Abbey is the burial ground of Lady Haig, the founder of the Poppy Factory in Scotland. To find out more about Dryburgh Abbey before you go, you can listen to my podcast episode recorded there recently.

Welcome to Episode Three of Tweed Valley Echoes, and this week we visit Dryburgh Abbey, one of the four mighty, medieval abbeys of The Scottish Borders. Join me as I give my views on why this region of Britain has such a close concentration of these abbeys and dive into the life of the man credited....

06/11/2024

With the high profile news yesterday that Center Parcs are planning their first Scottish village on land between Hawick and Selkirk, it feels like a good time to share my guide to The Scottish Borders. Perfect for anyone who saw yesterdays news and thought "where and what are the Scottish Borders". Well, here is the answer in one fun, wee package!

The PDF guide is free to download - check it out here 👉https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog/the-scottish-borders-has-entered-the-chat

Getting here ✅
Where to stay ✅
Towns & Villages ✅
Family Friendly Borders ✅
And more...

Feel free to share or use with your own guests and friends.

05/11/2024

That time of year again...

04/11/2024

A brand new podcast, just in time to cheer up your Monday morning commute! Join me at the Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve, where I explore the lesser known but equally brilliant Dob's Linn. The nature reserve is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and the podcast gives you more details about how to support the work they do. Enjoy 🎧

https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/blog/tweed-valley-echoes-podcast-episode-four

03/11/2024

My November newsletter is out now. Have a look to see what I’ve got planned in the off season! Spoiler: There’s more than you’d think…

https://tweedvalleyblogger.com/campaigns/view-campaign/-MwJmQhVchfjP90hAzZby-Fl2rPHYx6tggEL43ijX82bTEFWhknlgvwEQI5qctAhmi6Xn_txi07F7Yd1FtDTO2d44lJIaw3Z

31/10/2024

The National Museum at Edinburgh, one of the countries best days out, which draws millions of visitors every year. The place is full of treasures telling the story of Scotland, and bringing the world to us. Inspired by the brilliant I have decided to share my favourite treasures - but of course they all have a Borders spin!

First up, the museum itself or more accurately the street it’s on. Chambers Street, named after William Chambers. The publisher and Edinburgh Provost was born in Biggiesknowe, Peebles and became Laird of Glenormiston. His statue stands outside the museum, showing the esteem the city held him in.

Moving inside and you will find a stunning 2nd century AD Altar to the Roman God Jupiter. Just one of the many treasures of the Roman fort at Newstead, discovered in the early 20th century. You’ll find more here and at in Melrose.

The lantern of Grisel Hume was used by the 12 year old girl to light her way to the crypt of Polwarth Church, near Duns, where her Presbyterian father hid for weeks from the Kings troops. She later became Mistress of Mellerstain, perhaps the finest house in The Borders. A great figure in Borders history.

The Maiden, forever associated with Regent Morton who helped introduce it to Scotland - and eventually lost his head to it. His great castle at Drochil, Peeblesshire, was never finished after his death.

Wat Scott of Harden’s spurs. It’s often claimed that Scott’s wife would symbolically serve these on a platter to the notorious Border Reiver of Ettrick Forest when it was time to go out and steal more cattle for the family table. A stunning memento of the turbulent era.

Finally and bringing it up to date is Innerleithen’s FINDRA and the stroma jacket, from 2018, which is displayed as an example of recycling.

There are more treasures of course, both from The Borders and right across the country. It’s the best day out you’ll have in Edinburgh and hopefully this whets your appetite!

27/10/2024

🎉*NEW PODCAST EPISODE* 🎉

Dryburgh Abbey, Episode three of Tweed Valley Echoes, is now live. Join me to find out why I believe we have these four great abbeys in such close proximity in The Scottish Borders, as well as finding out about life there and some of the famous people associated with this beautiful spot. You also get the unexpected bonus of a free guising joke from me! 🎧

Welcome to Episode Three of Tweed Valley Echoes, and this week we visit Dryburgh Abbey, one of the four mighty, medieval abbeys of The Scottish Borders. Join me as I give my views on why this region of Britain has such a close concentration of these abbeys and dive into the life of the man credited....

24/10/2024

All the autumn vibes for today’s tour. Next one there will be the candlelight, evening tour on 14 November, where we will focus on the darker tales of the ancient tower. Tickets available now on Eventbrite!

23/10/2024

A day at leisure today so spent it wandering around a wonderfully autumnal Peebles and pointing my phone at just some of its historic goodies. Here are 8 of the best…

1. The Old Town. This is where the original square of Peebles is likely to have been, as the town first grew west of the Eddleston Water (Cuddy), before moving to the high mound between the rivers.
2. Tree Bridge, the original entrance to the growing Burgh from the west. This bridge dates from 1994 but it’s forefather was ancient and gives its name to the entrance of Briggate (Bridgegate)
3. The Caledonian Railway Hotel. Built to serve customers from the new railway station, located just across the water. Such a beautiful building on the High Street, now houses
4. Cross Keys. The towns original coaching inn, inspiration for Walter Scott’s Cleikum Inn and originally a town house of William Williamson of Cardrona (note his initials in slate on the roof to this day)
5. The Cross Kirk. Medieval church, where a Holy Cross or Holy Rood was founded, giving name to both the Church and neighbouring school of Halyrude (since relocated)
6. The Cuddy was an industrial water for centuries and here its path has been managed (note the brickwork…) The Haugh beyond now houses the swimming pool but was, at various times, a corn mill, Tweedside Weavers Mill and a gas works.
7. St. Andrews Tower, Peebles oldest building albeit heavily restored in the 1800’s by publisher and former Provost of Edinburgh William Chambers, buried in the surrounding kirkyard
8. The town walls, built in the late 16th century. No traces of earlier medieval walls has been found. This is by a distance the biggest surviving section, and overlooks station car park, once home to Peebles other railway station.

I hope you enjoyed these wee nuggets - it barely scratches the surface of Peebles long history. I’ll maybe do a sequel on my next day off…🙂

21/10/2024

Episodes One and Two of Tweed Valley Echoes, my brand new podcast, have now gone live. Catch up to find out more about why I am doing this series, where the name came from and how I have chosen the locations. Enjoy, links below to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tweed-valley-echoes/id1774234406

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/stewart-wilson87