Abbotsford

Today we’ll explore our new surroundings, starting with a guided tour of Abbotsford House for a fascinating insight into the life of Sir Walter Scott. Later, a stroll up through the gardens will bring you to Ochiltrees, Abbotsford’s own restaurant, for lunch - It's named after Edie Ochiltree, a character in Scott’s book The Antiquary. 

In the afternoon we’ll welcome Kate Robertson to talk to us about her kiltmaking business. Dinner will be served in the kitchen. Continue your explorations with a walk through the woods or down to the renowned River Tweed. One of the many lovely elements to living here is that we'll have the elegant gardens to ourselves every evening!

Textiles Old and New

We’re incorporating ancient and modern today. We’ll drive to the pretty little town of Selkirk and tour the mill at Lochcarron of Scotland, iconic producers of tartan.

Then we’ll plunge back centuries as we explore Traquair House (Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, but we think it looks pretty darned good for its age). With a guided tour focusing on the textiles and embroideries of this remarkable Borders stronghold, there will be lots to marvel at. We’ll linger longer to spot the peacocks, explore the grounds and craft workshops and, of course, the cafe before heading back to our comfortable home. Dinner will be served in the kitchen. 

Hawick

The Borders towns hold many gems. We’re off first to the abbey town of Jedburgh where Mary Queen of Scots spent a month in 1566. Queen Mary's House is a listed sixteenth century building in Jedburgh open to the public as a museum to her. There is some doubt whether the tragic Queen stayed in this particular building but we can dream! 

Then on to the mill town of Hawick, famous for cashmere and originally home to many long lived woolen producers. We’ll have a tour of Johnston’s cashmere mill, and probably quietly fondle the lush garments in the store on our way to lunch in their cafe. 

Next stop in Hawick is the Borders Textile Towerhouse, where the story of Borders knitwear and tweed is told inside a restored 16th century stone tower, Hawick’s oldest building. We’ll wend our way home with heads (and hands?) full of wool and enjoy a cosy kitchen dinner.

Fiber and Floors

We’re off to visit with our friends at The Border Mill in the morning. It’s one of the few mini-mills in Scotland. The folks here produce beautifully spun and dyed yarn in a variety of fibers, for themselves and many small flock owners throughout Scotland. We dare you to leave without a skein or two (or ten) in your hands…

From there it’s a short drive to the pretty town of Kelso. First we’ll partake of a little lunch at Floors Castle, home for over 300 years to the Dukes of Roxburghe and still their family home. A gentle guided tour of the Victorian walled garden and glasshouses will follow, and there will be time to explore the grounds and Kelso itself before you choose somewhere for dinner in the town.

The Great Tapestry

No Borders textile tour would be complete without visiting The Great Tapestry of Scotland. We can tour the museum and learn the history, process and techniques involved in creating the panels. A fascinating visit to a potted history of Scotland in stitched form, in its purpose-built gallery.

After lunch in Melrose, we’ll visit a very special place with a therapeutic twist on craft work. ‘At Birkhill’ is an animal assisted activity and crafting center with a mission to improve mental health in the region. It offers workshops, internships and a variety of horticultural opportunities and is home to alpacas, rare breed Castlemilk Moorit sheep, goats, birds, a natural dye garden and more! During our visit, we’ll hear about the work being done there as well as enjoying a bespoke workshop. 

Tonight’s dinner is on your own: we can make time for tasty purchases en route to Abbotsford.

Over the Border

We’re venturing into England today, to meet Alice at Whistlebare, home to the sweetest angora goats and shaggy Wensleydale sheep. Whistlebare produces soft lustrous yarns by blending the fiber from both flocks and dyeing it in-house to create glorious shades. Her studio will have you weak at the knees (and she’ll ship goods home for you!)

There's time to explore Berwick-upon-Tweed. It’s famous for the Elizabethan era town walls, stately bridges, and a long history of changing ownership by Scotland and England (multiple times). Stop in at Jennie’s Wool Studio, a Rowan Tree favorite, and see what she’s been up to. Take time to find lunch, pick up last-minute gifts or enjoy people watching in this friendly coastal town until our agreed upon meet up time.

Once back at Abbotsford, you can fit in a last wander round the gardens (and the dreaded packing) before our final grand dinner served in the dining room. Our driver John is a man of many parts and will entertain us thereafter in the sitting room. Drams at the ready to round off a glorious wooly week! 

Departure Day

This morning, we’ll gather promptly, grab an early morning coffee and breakfast-in-a-bag then climb aboard the wee coach to Edinburgh airport in good time for onward flights.  

So many characters to remember, so many stories, so many yarns to take home!

Lindsay Roberts, aka  “The Border Tart”, is a stitcher, a printer, a maker and a lover of words. Inspired by color and pattern and passionate about Indian artisans and textiles, she values most highly all things made by hand. She’s a proponent of mindful stitching and hand work of all kinds. In her words, “Making with your own hands brings pleasure, calms the heart rate and imbues each piece with love.” Peruse her small edition stitching kits and other essentials here. You’ll also find her images, thoughts and adventures on Instagram at @bordertart. We’re so pleased to collaborate with this wonderful Scottish artisan and teacher.