The area around Stables Cottage, Duns

Duns is a small country town (pop. c.2,500) in the beautiful eastern Scottish Borders. About 15 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed (East Coast main line) and the A1, and mid way between Edinburgh and Newcastle, it is located on the foothills of the Lammermuirs and enjoys views over the Tweed valley towards the Cheviots and North Northumberland. There is a good selection of shops around the picturesque market square, a variety of places to eat out in the town and surrounding area, a local swimming pool, tennis courts and golf course, and an extensive nature reserve within easy walking distance.

Coastal attractions include Lindisfarne and Holy Island, the cradle of Northumbrian Christianity and the Lindisfarne Gospels, as well as lovely empty beaches and spectacular rock formations, the fishing port of Eyemouth, and the cliffs and sea bird populations of St Abbs.

You can visit Berwick-upon-Tweed and walk round its spectacular defences, the largest military project of Elizabeth I's reign, as well as visiting castles like Hume and Norham, Smailholm, Bamburgh, Alnwick (including the Alnwick Garden), and the pictuesque ruined abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh, left from centuries of warfare between England and Scotland. The rich and varied cultural history of the area inspired the novels of Sir Walter Scott, whose home at Abbotsford can be visited, along with grand country mansions such as Manderston, Mellerstain, Floors, Paxton, Cragside and Belsay.

Sporting opportunities include hill walking in the Lammermuirs and Cheviots, riding (for which the Borders is famous), fishing, shooting and off-roading, while on the coast there are opportunities to take part in scuba diving and sailing.

En route, farm shops with local free range and organic foods can be visited and fine views enjoyed. The air is fresh and the water is pure!

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