We are soon going to Scotland for 2 weeks and want to spend a few days around Kelso and Dumfries (a little geneology work). Any suggestions on where to stay (nice, cozy, clean)? From there we want to head to Inverary but is this too long to easily do? My husband likes to drive all day but I do not! Thanks for any help.

Kelso and Dumfries are quite far apart - nearly a 3 hour's drive. Are you looking for someplace to stay in each town? Or a single place to base in for both?

Also -what is your budget?

Dumfries to Inverary takes about 2.5 hours, and Kelso to Inverary takes more than 4 hours w/o any stops.

I definitely don't advise driving all day. There are soooooooo many things to see and do, you really want to limit yourselves to about 100 - 150 miles <u>max</u> a day -- which will average between 2.5 and 4.5 hours

This is so helpful, thank you, you averted driving arguments! Our thought was to stay in Kelso a couple of nights because we read it is very interesting, then to Dumfries for a day to putter around, leaving late afternoon and either staying somewhere on the way to Inverary or pushing up. No budget especially if it is good place, after all vacation!

We stayed here for a night...

http://www.lighthousehotel.co.uk/

a little way from Dumfries but a great location. Don't miss Drumlanrig Castle while you are in the area

In Kelso there is always the Roxburghe in the grounds of Floors Castle http://www.roxburghe-hotel.com/ (do visit the castle even if you don't stay at the hotel)

This place has rooms from under £100 to over £200 and is very good http://www.ednamhouse.com/

These two are a lot less expensive but are really nice http://www.kelsobedandbreakfast.co.uk/
http://www.abbeysidebedandbreakfast.co.uk/

There is a LOT to see/do in the Borders area around Kelso - two days will just scratch the surface.

I'll have to look up some of my old files for a couple of places I've stayed near Dumfries - maybe some others will have suggestions . . .

oh - I didn't see alihutch's post . . .

We have a few good hotels but not many.

Trigony is far and away the best.

http://www.trigonyhotel.co.uk/

and is very close to Drumlanrig

Travel between Dumfries and Kelso is very easy but the countryside can be a little bleak. The journey via the A708 should take around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Try to make it to the coast just west of Dumfries, it is beautiful and very quiet. We have some of the most rewarding coastal walks in the UK without being swamped by tourists.

The Corsewell Lighthouse is a lovely place to stay but is a large detour and not whole different proposal to your route.

On the way to Kelso try to make it to

http://www.lendingtheway.com/Crocket...k%20Castle.jpg

Our favourite Maxwell castle.

http://www.rampantscotland.com/castl...rders6175a.jpg

Is like no other and seen a lot of bloodshed.

Before you go try to read The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser. Our more distant history makes Aghanistan look like a walk in the park.

sorry my keyboard is now a typical sony after 2 years ie falling apart. f and m have given up!

If you don't want to venture 30 minutes further on from Dumfries.

http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/index.html

Is in our village and is lovely. Great beach walks on the doorstep.

http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/53/

sorry a going to bed now I give up!

that should have been "if you do want to venture"

shhh -- while humpty is asleep . .

He is a local. You won't make it from Kelso to Dunfries in 1 hr 40 minutes. It is, depending on on your route -- a little under or a little over 80 miles. That will take more than 2 hours - probably 2.5 hours

Plus there is some really lovely scenery and many places to stop/things to see along the route. Grey Mare's Tail, Traquair House, Bowhill, Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey etc etc. Not that you'd be able to stop at all of those (some would have to slide to another day) but unless you see <i>some</i> of them on your travel day you'll miss out on lots.

This is all so helpful. I can hardly wait to visit Scotland.
Appreciate the time you have taken to help.