GO Tweed Valley

21/06/2024

Some outstanding work being undertaken alongside local farmers as part of Destination Tweed UK's Woodlands for Water and Wildlife project.

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We’re working with farmers in the upper Tweed catchment to plant 300,000 native trees as part of the Destination Tweed initiative’s £1.25 million Woodlands for Water and Wildlife project. 200 hectares of native and riparian woodland will be created over the next four years, delivering significant environmental improvements and enhancing the visitor experience for anyone using Destination Tweed’s planned River Tweed Trail.

Upper Kidston, Edston and Lyne farms in the Scottish Borders have been the first to participate in the project, planting a combined 44,000 native trees across 32.5 hectares. Species include alder, aspen, birch, oak, cherry, rowan, willow, hawthorn and hazel.

Pictured with project manager Hamish Robertson from Tweed Forum are Matt Griffin from Edston and Lyne farms and Jenni and Neil Melville from Upper Kidston Farm.

Destination Tweed UK

21/06/2024

Choices, choices ... great looking new lunch and dinner menus at Stobo Castle Health Spa!

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20/06/2024

Fancy enjoying some pod life this summer? Well, you'd better be quick as these beauties fill up fast! 🙂💚🙂

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18/06/2024

Looking to up your camping game? 🏕

Then check out the stylish new bell tents at Glentress Forest Lodges, just a short cycle or walk from excellent shops, attractions and eateries in Peebles and Innerleithen – plus miles of super flowy mountain biking trails at Glentress itself.

South of Scotland Destination Alliance VisitScotland

18/06/2024

How can the Tweed Valley become an accessible destination for adaptive mountain bikers? That's the question being asked by DMBinS as part of a pilot week of activities in the Tweed Valley running from 24 to 28 June.

With dedicated days for mountain bike leaders and guides, trail associations and landowners, plus a series of community sessions for all those interested in creating an accessible mountain bike destination (from hospitality providers to bike mechanics and riders) this looks like an invaluable week that will help many learn more and provision better.

Full details here:
https://dmbins.com/blog/creating-a-accessible-destination-for-adaptive-mountain-bikers/

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18/06/2024

We are now full tilt into another kind of festival locally - the Peebles Beltane Festival that will intrigue, fascinate and possibly flummox visitors in equal measure. Full programme here, with Wednesday and Saturday especially big days. Come check out all the pomp and ceremony!

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Your timetable for Beltane Week 2024.

18/06/2024

There was rain, there was mud but there were a lot of smiles and fun had too. Great shots here from the weekend's TweedLove Bike Festival. Thanks to all for putting on another great event in pretty challenging conditions and of course to all who came to ride, drink, eat, support, volunteer and generally have a good time. Hope you can come back again soon when the sun WILL make an appearance*

A final thank you also to everyone who stopped by at the Go Tweed Valley stand at the festival village over the weekend. Great to see the interest from visitors not just in biking but all of the many other attractions and activities that can be enjoyed locally.

(*probably)

South of Scotland Destination Alliance VisitScotland Visit Peebles

14/06/2024

And speaking of first days, not long to go now until the start of this year's spectacular TweedLove Bike Festival. Here's a sneak peek of the course for one of the events: Round 2 of the YT Industries TweedLove Enduro Series – featuring six stellar stages with a start and finish at the festival village on Tweed Green, Peebles. Go Tweed Valley will have a stand there all weekend, so do come and see us!

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The moment you've all been waiting for!

The course for Round 2 of the YT Industries TweedLove Enduro Series is now out. Six stages of Glentress’ best trails with a start and finish right in the heart of the TweedLove Bike Festival.

Maps have been emailed to riders, or check the link below...

https://tweedlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TweedLove24_YT_Intl_map_FR.pdf

14/06/2024

Looks like a cracking first day at this year's Borders Book Festival / 13-16 June, 2024 - with much more to come over the next three days.

See full programme here: https://bordersbookfestival.org/

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14/06/2024

A fantastic new addition to the alfresco cafe scene in Peebles - looks wonderful, great work Cocoa Black. Now we just need the weather gods to remember that it is actually summer ... 🌼🌞🦆

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14/06/2024

Just outwith our current patch but most definitely part of the Tweed Valley, it's fantastic to see the Wee Crook Cafe up and running. Wishing the whole team every success after what sounds like a buzzing first few weeks - we'll certainly be stopping by when next passing. 🙂💚🙂

Tweedsmuir Community Company

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13/06/2024

A qualified guide can make the world of difference when it comes to time on the water. 💦 🛶

This summer, Edinburgh-based Driftwood Adventure will be offering guided paddling trips along short sections of the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail - perfect for those wanting a gentle adventure and safe pair of hands to show them the ropes.

Hugo, Niall and their team of highly-qualified instructors have years of on-the-water experience between them and can’t wait to share their love of canoeing and kayaking with small groups of families and friends.

Happy paddling!

https://www.driftwoodadventure.org/

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Neidpath Castle Dawyck Botanic Garden Stobo Castle Health Spa Tontine Hotel Peebles Traquair House Abbotsford The Home of Sir Walter Scott

12/06/2024

It's nearly time for the 2024 Peebles Beltane Festival - a spectacular feast of pomp and pageantry, tradition and history, with a calendar of events that span an entire week. If in the area from this Sunday, do try and catch as many of the events as possible - hooray!

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Your timetable for Beltane Week 2024.

11/06/2024

Just landed - summer at the Eastgate Theatre looking mighty fine! Come check out some shows while here this summer. The coffee and cake are not bad either 🙂💚

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The Summer Brochure has arrived!!!🌞

This July, August and September get ready for something new, fresh and fun!

Get a taste of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on your doorstep with our Pre-Fringe week this July.🎭Make some noise and stomp your feet at Nomad Beat's Big Music Day and Ceilidh. 🎶💃 Engage with the environment and climate in our Nature of Change Summer Festival.🎨🌱Or sit back, relax, and enjoy a range of free live music at Summer Nights in the Café!🎷

See the full Summer line-up by picking up your free Summer Brochure now at Eastgate Theatre!

11/06/2024

It’s TweedLove Bike Festival time this weekend, with a fabulous event village down on Tweed Green, Peebles (14-16 June). While it will be a busy, buzzy place all weekend, it’s great to see the event organiser also encourage visitors to check out the many brilliant shops on Peebles High Street and beyond.

We're lucky to have such a wonderful selection of, mostly, independent shops locally, so do have a nosey around while in the area 🙂💚

And for more retail goodness, do have a look at our own pages here 👇

https://www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/shopping

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Love Local TweedLove aims to provide a beneficial outcome for our local community, and while the area welcomes all MTB riders and visitors, we’d encourage you to visit the High Street and visit local shops and businesses. Let’s share the love, and show our appreciation for the local community, s...

10/06/2024

The power of people and local knowledge … last week we steered a German couple on a motorbike tour of Scotland to stay at Cleikum Mill Lodge in Innerleithen. Here’s the feedback received by the owner:

‘When it rained we looked for accommodation in Peebles. We were looked after excellently at Tourist Information. After a few phone calls, the nice gentleman found this accommodation for us. Everything you need as a self-caterer is available. And at the end we got a great tip for a day tour by motorcycle. Tips for other travellers: just talk to the nice owner. He knows the area best!’

Thank you Cleikum Mill Lodge – above and beyond as always 💚🙂

Interestingly, we get LOTS of people who come to the area with no pre-booked accommodation or plans, so that's where we step in to help. If that sounds a bit like you, then come and see us at the Go Tweed Valley visitor information centre in Peebles and we'll have you all set!

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Located on Peebles High Street, our visitor information centre is a welcoming space to discover more about the beauty spots and shops, activities, eateries and attractions that make the Tweed Valley so unique. The centre also serves as a showcase for close to 100 tourism-related businesses that form...

10/06/2024

HOORAY for History & Heritage! 👑🐴

For a relatively small area, the Tweed Valley has a grand history. Royal and literary greats are woven into local stories, while the Borders’ turbulent past has shaped traditions still honoured across the area today.

This summer, we invite you to celebrate the valley’s lively history through three of its greatest riches: its beloved horses, its exquisite houses and its rich heritage.

Discover more about our Historic Tweed Valley at: www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/historic-tweed-valley

📸 Ian Linton Photography

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Tweed Valley Blogger - TVB Tours Traquair House Bowhill House & Grounds Neidpath Castle Abbotsford The Home of Sir Walter Scott Peebles Beltane Festival St. Ronan's Border Games Kailzie Equestrian Ltd. Robert Smail's Printing Works NTS

10/06/2024

Tick tock (not that one), the countdown is on to Scotland's BIGGEST bike festival! ⏰ ❤️

TweedLove Bike Festival (14-16 June) captures the spirit of cycling across the Tweed Valley, with events for every kind of rider regardless of age, experience ... or tyre choice. 🚴‍♀️

What's more, there's a free festival village in the heart of Peebles to bring friends and families together - including a family-friendly ride out, brand expo, open air cinema night, street food, music and the Tempest Brewing Co. beer tent 🍻

Today is also the last chance to sign up for Round 2 of the YT Industries TweedLove Enduro Series and the excellent enduro taster, the Hope Technology Ltd Enjoyro presented by Ridelines MTB ... so be quick!

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06/06/2024

Looking for top-quality self-catering accommodation this summer and beyond? Then we’ve got you covered! From farmhouses in West Linton, bespoke lodges and fully accessible apartments near Dolphinton and Blyth Bridge to an array of funky cabins, cottages, steadings, apartments and studios in and around Peebles, Innerleithen and Traquair, there’s something for every taste and need. Check out the self-catering section on our Stay page 👇

https://www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/self-catering

Scotstoun Farmhouse Merklands Wood Luxury Lodges Netherurd Garden House Neidpath Castle Dilkusha, Peebles The Trail House Howford House Cleikum Mill Lodge Room in the Borders Cosaig self catering Pirn Road Holiday Apartment Braeside Innerleithen Holiday Apartment Borders self-catering cabins

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05/06/2024

Busy day at the Go Tweed Valley visitor centre yesterday – and always fascinating to see who is visiting the area and from where.

Visitors included a motorbiking couple from Germany looking for accommodation (we found them room at the excellent Cleikum Mill Lodge), friends over from Maine, US keen to experience the area’s cultural heritage (lots of pointers given!), plus a couple from North Yorkshire doing a recce for a week-long get-together for a group of active 80-something pals in June next year. They were blown away by all the options given!

Looking forward to helping steer many more folk over what’s shaping up to be a busy summer and beyond. Just a reminder that our visitor centre on Peebles High Street is open 10am-4pm, Tues to Sat. Do drop in and see us!

https://www.gotweedvalley.co.uk/visitor-info-centre

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05/06/2024

🥳🥳Congratulations to Stobo Castle Health Spa for being included in Tripadvisor's top 10% of hotels worldwide and receiving their Travellers' Choice Award 2024!!

Hugely impressive accolades for a very special place. If you haven’t been yet, you really must. Scotland's only destination spa is a Tweed Valley gem. See this taster in the clip below 👇

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Stobo Castle Health Spa, Scotland's only destination spa and winner of Luxury Destination Spa - Global Award at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2021.

05/06/2024

Visitors to the area are sometimes surprised to learn that the Tweed Valley is home to several pairs of breeding ospreys ... with the lucky ones spotting the birds perched in trees or even fishing on the Tweed and elsewhere. Keep an eye out for these magnificent fish-eating birds of prey while around the river and do keep checking back on the Tweed Valley Osprey Project for more updates throughout this summer breeding season.

You can also learn much more about ospreys at Forestry and Land Scotland's Wildlife Hub at Glentress Forest just outside Peebles - including a map that highlights some of the area's best osprey-watching spots.

Glentress Forest Lodges Go Ape Glentress Forest, Peebles Riders Retreat Tweed Valley Alpine Bikes Glentress Glentress Forest Cafe

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Oscar having some downtime in the sunshine last weekend after dropping off a fish to his partner FS2. We haven't observed any chicks yet but the behaviour of the parents suggests they are present. We estimate this pairs season is ahead of Mrs O & FKO so, if correct, their young could now be around 1-2 weeks old.

Picture - Tweed Valley Osprey Project/Stuart Blaik.

03/06/2024

Happy United Nations World Bicycle Day! 🚲🚲

The high-end bikes used to explore the Tweed Valley's trails and quiet back roads are great for those who can afford them, but let's also give a whoop whoop for the 'regular' bikes that offer a simple, affordable, and sustainable means of transport, promoting health for all.

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Monday is World Bicycle Day, an opportunity to increase awareness about the benefits of bikes, which are used around the world as simple, affordable & efficient modes of sustainable transport.

Bicycles are powerful tools for taking , promoting health and wellbeing, increasing access to education, and achieving the .

30/05/2024

‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?' - The Merchant of Venice (Act 3, Scene 1).

Outdoor promenade performances of Shakespeare classics have returned to the stunning grounds of Traquair House (29 May to 1 June; 5 to 8 June). 🌳 🎭

Following last year’s thrilling production of Richard III, the Shakespeare at Traquair community theatre company are tackling a less dark but equally thought-provoking tale of money and mercy, prejudice and social injustice.

The Merchant of Venice may be over 400 years old, but its messages about love and humanity are just as relevant for audiences today.

Book your tickets (and evening supper) at traquair.co.uk or via the Eastgate Theatre Box Office.

https://www.traquair.co.uk/event/shakespeare-at-traquair-1st-11th-june/

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28/05/2024

Check, Clean, Dry.

Some important advice and reminders from River Tweed News to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species. Much of this advice applies equally to paddlers on the new Tweed Valley Canoe Trail.

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Anglers
Many aquatic invasive species and diseases are impossible to see and easily transferred from one water body to another on waders, rods, nets and boats. Follow the CHECK, CLEAN, DRY guidance for anglers, and ensure you are aware of which invasive species to watch out for.

Everyone can follow a basic biosecurity routine, as a matter of course;

Arrive with clean, dry footwear and equipment.

CHECK – Before leaving a site
Visually check footwear, boards, boat hulls and equipment for debris - plant and animal matter, small organisms, soil, seeds etc. and remove. Carry a basic biosecurity kit (brush and water) to help remove debris while on site.

Ideally rinse all your kit on site to ensure all debris is removed - remember some diseases aren't visible to the human eye and you might not recognise an invasive plant!

CLEAN - Clean and wash footwear, clothing and equipment with appropriate disinfectants, ideally on site, where the washings should be left. If this is not possible bag your gear carefully and wash as soon as possible, but do not let the washings enter any watercourse or drains.

DRY - dry your kit and clothing thoroughly, some species can live weeks in damp, moist conditions.

28/05/2024

Big props to TweedLove for another fabulous (if soggy!) weekend of racing and good times 🙂

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28/05/2024

Just a quick reminder to local residents and businesses that this drop-in consultation event will take place from 2-7pm today at the Go Tweed Valley visitor information centre on Peebles High Street. Please do pop in, learn more about the proposals and share thoughts.

Tweed Forum Scottish Borders Council

Join us at a public information session
Tuesday 28 May 2.00pm -7.00pm
At: Go Tweed Valley, Peebles High Street, EH45 8AG
Why: Take part in info session with staff from Scottish Borders Council and Tweed Forum.
https://ow.ly/GT1F50RSrH2