Council area in Scotland
| Coordinates: | 55.53, -2.77 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | NT 51 26 |
The Scottish Borders council area sits along the frontier with England, stretching across rolling hills, river valleys and the eastern reaches of the Cheviot Hills. The landscape is dominated by the River Tweed and its tributaries, prized for salmon fishing, and is criss‑crossed by walking routes such as the Southern Upland Way; the reopened Borders Railway now provides a direct link into Edinburgh and has improved access for visitors and commuters.
Historically the Borders were shaped by clan and reiver conflicts and by monastic houses like Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey and Jedburgh Abbey, and the area has strong literary associations through Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s home. The local economy mixes agriculture and forestry with a long textile and knitwear tradition centred on towns such as Hawick, Galashiels, Selkirk and Peebles; tourism, outdoor recreation and community events like the Common Ridings are important, while local government is based at Newtown St Boswells.
EH38, EH43, EH44, EH45, EH46, TD1, TD2, TD3, TD4, TD5, TD6, TD7, TD8, TD9, TD10, TD11, TD12, TD13, TD14