amelie

Hi,
Trying to figure out our Borders itinerary. We will be headed there on a Wednesday morning after two nights in D&G. Assuming we do something in D&G in the morning, I am planning on half a day Wednesday in the Borders (staying in Melrose), full day Thursday, and half day Friday. I know I tend to try to cram things in, but would like to be more relaxed this trip...we CAN save places on my list for future trips.

I think I've narrowed my big wishes down to Floors Castle, Traquair House, and Mellerstain House. Due to opening times Mellerstain, this has to be on Friday. Also, Dryburgh Abbey, Melrose Abbey and Jedburgh Abbey. Plus visiting the towns themselves (Melrose, Peebles?, St. Abb's and nearby Eye mouth).

My question is, how long in general to plan for the abbeys? Do we do all 3 or cut one out. Do I also need to cut something else out (which would be Floors). Thinking Traquair House Weds and an abbey (or just Traquair), Floors Thursday and two abbeys (or all 3), and then Mellerstain Friday.

My other question is does anyone have a restaurant in The Borders (or D&G) that they particularly love? We are celebrating my father in laws 70th and also inlaws 40th wedding anniversary.

Finally, where to stop to break up the drive from Aberdeen to Dumfries and Galloway region at the start if the week?

Thanks as always

Underhill

If it fits into your itinerary, stay overnight at Traquair House. It's a wonderful experience, and I believe it's possible to dine there.

amelie

Thanks, yes I read janisj's report on staying there. However, we've already booked our B&B. any thoughts to my other questions?

janisj

Hi,

How long at the 3 abbeys abbeys is really hard to estimate. It mostly depends on your style. You could walk around each one and see it in 30 minutes - or you could easily spend 2+ hours each. But Dryburgh/Melrose are so near each other you could easily manage both in a couple of hours.

I think you really don't have time for all those places in your 1 full and 2 half days. None of the houses/castle are 'quick stops'. Then St Abbs Head/Eyemouth is your outlier. They are a bit of a drive and to see St Abbs you really need to get out and walk. Melrose to St Abbs takes at least 90 minutes.

As for where to stop between A'deen and D&G - I'd probably choose Perth or Stirling (if you haven't seen Scone or Stirling caste before)

amelie

Thanks janis.

amelie

How far is Traquair H from Edinburgh? An hour roughly? Thinking of not stopping between Aberdeen to Borders (unless a quick 30 min stretch legs break) and going straight to Traquair. Then from there to our B&B in Castle Douglas (approx. how long is this?) on Monday where we have two nights. Frees up a little bit of time.

Also thinking may need to cut out Floors Castle.

Is Culzean Castle something I should try to keep in or cut out since it's not technically D&G. I believe it to be about 45 min from Stranraer.

OR maybe what I really need is to add another night on at the beginning making it 3 night D&G, 2 night Borders, instead of 2 and 2. Or even stay at Traquair night the first extra night (if available).

amelie

Two hour drive between Castle Douglas to Melrose or Traquair. No faster way around that? That changes things then two. 4 hr straight shot Aberdeen to Castle Douglas and 3 hr straight shot Melrose home to Aberdeen. Don't want to have to do the 2 hr drive from D&G to Melrose area more than once.