vickiebypass

I’m going to Scotland’s border area for 10 days in June and would very much appreciate input & suggestions from Fodorites on recommendations for any gardens or homes you’ve particularly enjoyed (plus any pub/resto recs for dinners). This will be a driving trip to visit gardens, castles, stately homes, plus other spots that appeal (incl ruined and natural beauty spots). I came up with the plan below after researching lots of web sites, including Eleanor’s gardens & home from a link in this forum but would hate to miss a gem or little known spot! I tend to spend a long time in houses & have lunch in their cafes, so have planned on basically one location per day. I’ll fill in with meandering around local towns or, if the lodging is extra nice, relaxing there.

I know I’m hop-scotching around & backtracking a bit but that’s due to non-refundable hotel arrangements, so I’ll get to know the roads well!

6/15, drive from Newcastle to Cragside House (5 hrs). Hotel: Cragend Grange, 2 nights.
6/16, Rothbury (explore town & Heritage Trail walk) & Herterton House Gardens.
6/17, North to Scotland. Borders Book Festival @ Melrose's Harmony Gardens. Hotel: Tilmouth Country Hotel
6/18, Manderston House – (lodging @ Traquair House, 3 nights)
6/19, Abbys: Melrose, Kelso, Jedburgh, Dryburgh & Monteviot House and Gardens
6/20, Floors Castle & gardens; abbys missed on 6/20; Monteviot if not done already
6/21, Thirlestane Castle. Hotel: Budle Hall, 2 nights
6/22, Chillingham Castle.
6/23, Explore Bamburgh & beaches. Drive to outer Edinburgh; Hotel: ibis budget Edinburgh Park, 2 nights
6/24, Royal Highland Show (not the Games – this is lots of animals, forges, some pipe bands – love this stuff)
6/25, Fly home from EDI

BTW, I omitted Alnwick because it seems touristy and crowded which makes me cranky. I appreciate any thoughts or ideas - thanks for your help!

almcd

You have omitted Abbotsford House, home of Sir Walter Scott, near Gala and Mellerstain House with its incredible silver staircase. Other than that, you seem to have covered everything that I can think of. Research these two places on the web and try to include them if you can.

Underhill

Do add Traquair House, a fine old mansion where you can stay as a guest if you wish. Mary Queen of Scots stayed there at one time, and some of her belongings are on display.

About Abbotsford...in the entrance hall there's creepy portrait of the severed head of Mary...on a silver salver, if I remember correctly.

sofarsogood

Other places: Wallington Hall, Belsay Castle, Howick Hall. Try and see the cattle at Chillingham.

Alnwick as touristy? Never seen that before…. At least visit Barter Books.

Barbara

Another vote for Abbotsford and Mellerstain.

http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/

http://www.mellerstain.com/

janisj

>>Do add Traquair House<<

They are <i>staying</i> at Traquair (which will be a WONDERFUL experience BTW)

I can't really comment completely right now (late for a PT appointment) but I would not personally omit Alnwick. The castle itself is not at all 'touristy' really (you can skip some of the exhibits in the out buildings and the quidditch lessons and the Gardens are great.

being weeks days in June it should not be that crowded -- UK schools are still in session so few families will be traveling.

vickiebypass

Good tips! I was thinking about Mellerstain & Wallington, so will see where I can add them back in. A fair number of homes/gardens don't open until noon (or even 1:00), so it's hard to do two in a day. I suspect I'm over-estimating how much time I need at some of the places I've chosen, so will fill in with some of your suggestions.

Alnwick...will re-think that since the idea of seeing modern gardens is very appealing (and the Treehouse restaurant).

Re: Tracquair House, I'm very much looking forward to my 3 nights there. My room overlooks the maze and the lower drawing room is available to guests, sigh! I'm making sure I have time to enjoy staying there...dawdling in the gardens, visiting the brewery, etc.

Thanks for these great ideas!

janisj

I stayed there for a couple of nights back in 2012 --

Here is my TR http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-trip-ever.cfm

The bits about Traquair House are in the June 18 and June 19 posts

vickiebypass

Janis - so glad you posted the link to your 2012 trip report. Your itinerary and mine overlap at some locations which has given me ideas for rounding out my days. And, I also am staying in the Pink Room at Tracquair! You had the same reaction as me - housekeeper, maze, drawing room, etc. It'll be my pretend life as the Lady of the house. ��

Will look at a map and see if Threave fits in somewhere. And Alnwick. Probably need another trip - maybe on the fall. I was pleased to read about your Beamish visit since I'm doing that from Newcastle, before I head North.

5alive

So we did take the A68 from Newcastle area up to Edinburgh.

Due to my husband's sudden insistence that we try to stop and see a bit of Hadrian's Wall, that put us off in our timing to stop at as many places along the way because I wanted to find our lodgings before it got too late. I think we went to Chester and it was pouring rain.

So that you know it's coming, there's a nice spot on the border between England and Scotland to stop and take some photos. It's pretty country on this route. Be cognizant of the speed cameras, which are big metal boxes on the side of the road. There's a warning sign before each, if you're paying attention.

We did stop in Jedburgh for a bit. The abbey is really nice. We also went to a house in town where Mary Queen of Scots stayed, it was free and did not take long at all to see. We also walked up to the castle but it was small and had been converted to a prison, so a quick visit at best, but can be missed. The pizza across from the abbey was decent.

Enjoy your trip! I'm looking forward to hearing about all your other stops.

janisj

>>I think we went to Chester and it was pouring rain. <<

That would be Chester<B>s</B>. Two if the last three times I've been there it was pouring rain - traipsing out to the far bits can be really REALLY wet.

Gordon_R

>>Alnwick as touristy? Never seen that before<<

Oh but it is! I was there very recently and was taken aback by:-
(a) the hefty admission charges (even more if you want to see the gardens as well which are operated as a separate "attraction" by the castle owners)
(b) the cheesy attempts to cash in on the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey TV series.

You could see the impressive view of the castle itself for free from the town or from the other side of the River Aln looking back.

We actually left Alnwick rather disappointed after less than two hours and went instead to Cragside House (also on your itinerary) which was fabulous and really worthy of a full day.

I'd also second the suggestions of Abbotsford, Ttraquair and Hadrians Wall (especially Vindolanda).

vickiebypass

5alive - thanks for the tip about speed cameras! I'm looking forward to the drive through the park and have plenty of time so I can pull over and absorb the view.

I'll pass on Alnwick this time and include it in a future off-season trip. Abbotsford fits in perfectly, so will add that. I found a great site, Scottish National Heritage, that describes 4 or 5 driving Borders itineraries focusing on homes, gardens & nature. http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-d...etail/?id=2167

I leave this Friday for the Newcastle/Durham portion, followed by Scotland so will do a trip report when I return. Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions, input!

dwdvagamundo

Have a great trip, Vickie!