The Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders lie alongside the border with England, a boundary that was fought over and changed many times.  In the Middle ages it was called the "Debatable Lands".  Peace finally came in 1603 when James V1 of Scotland inherited the English crown, thus uniting the two countries.

The many fortified houses that survive in the borders are evidence of this lawless period.  In the Middle Ages great Abbeys were established in the Borders by the Scottish kings and these developed the woollen trade with mainland Europe.

Over 100,000 people now live in the Scottish Borders.  The largest towns are Hawick (15,000) and Galashiels (13,000).  Peebles is the third largest town with over 8,000 residents.