PrimeCarers
Abbotsford, Melrose

Companionship careScottish Borders

Days out in the Scottish Borders for an older parent

Eight places in the Scottish Borders that make a good day out for an older parent, from Abbotsford to Jim Clark Motorsport Museum. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Abbotsford. Photo: Elizabeth Wemyss Nasmyth (1793–1862) (possibly), Public domain

Eight days out across seven towns

The best places to take an older parent in the Scottish Borders

One of them is free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two describes a step-free route, and four confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Abbotsford, Melrose

Photo: Elizabeth Wemyss Nasmyth (1793–1862) (possibly), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Melrose

Abbotsford

Abbotsford is the home Sir Walter Scott built beside the River Tweed, filled with his collection of armour, books and curiosities, including his study and library. The house has gardens and riverside walks, and the visitor centre has a café and exhibition about Scott's life.

The visitor centre, café and exhibition make a good first stop before the house, and a carer can ask the team about access to the rooms before buying tickets.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Melrose

Melrose Abbey, Melrose

Photo: Gitta Zahn (@gittaz on Flickr), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Melrose

Melrose Abbey

Melrose Abbey is the ruin of a great Cistercian abbey founded in 1136, famous for its carved stonework, including a bagpipe-playing pig, and as the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart. It stands in the centre of Melrose, a small town with cafés and shops.

The abbey is in the heart of Melrose, so a carer can plan a short look at the ruins and grounds followed by a rest in one of the town's cafés.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Melrose

The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Galashiels

The Great Tapestry of Scotland

The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the longest tapestries in the world, stitched by volunteers across the country, telling Scotland's story from prehistory to the present in more than 160 panels. It is displayed in a purpose-built gallery in the centre of Galashiels.

There is level access from the main entrance, a lift to the tapestry gallery, an accessible toilet, a disabled parking bay next to the centre and a wheelchair that can be booked.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Galashiels

Dawyck Botanic Garden, Peebles

Photo: Tom Parnell from Scottish Borders, Scotland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Peebles

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Dawyck is a hillside arboretum near Peebles, run by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, with some of the tallest trees in Britain, a Scottish Rhododendron collection and a burn running through the valley. The visitor centre has a café, shop and exhibition.

The visitor centre is accessible, two wheelchairs can be booked, and a way-marked route on the lower level avoids several sets of steps, though other paths are steep.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Peebles

St Abb's Head, St Abbs

Photo: Mick Knapton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · St Abbs

St Abb's Head

St Abb's Head is a National Trust for Scotland nature reserve on dramatic sea cliffs north of Eyemouth, where thousands of seabirds nest in spring and early summer. The Nature Centre by the car park sits beside a coffee shop, a pottery and a small art gallery.

There are disabled parking spaces at the reserve car park and an accessible toilet next to the Nature Centre, with picnic benches outside, so a carer can enjoy the coffee shop without walking out to the cliffs.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Parking charged, free for members

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh

Photo: Antony McCallum, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Jedburgh

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey is the substantial ruin of an Augustinian abbey founded by David I in the 12th century, with a nearly complete church and a visitor centre displaying finds from the site. It stands at the heart of the old town of Jedburgh.

It sits in the town centre near cafés and parking, so a carer can plan a short visit to the visitor centre and the view of the church.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Jedburgh

Dryburgh Abbey, Newtown St Boswells

Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Newtown St Boswells

Dryburgh Abbey

Dryburgh Abbey is a peaceful ruin in a loop of the River Tweed, founded in 1150 and among the most complete of the Border abbeys, and the burial place of Sir Walter Scott. The grounds are set among old trees on the riverbank.

It is quieter than the other Border abbeys, so a carer can plan a slow, short visit in calm surroundings and check the paths around the ruins on arrival.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Newtown St Boswells

Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, Duns

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Duns

Jim Clark Motorsport Museum

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns celebrates the Borders farmer who became a two-time Formula One world champion, with his trophies, cars and personal items. Interactive displays tell the story of his racing career in the 1960s.

The museum is designed to be fully accessible, with accessible toilets and free on-street parking including disabled parking.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their website

Regular groups and events in the Scottish Borders

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in the Scottish Borders.

  • Music · HawickHawick Saxhorn BandFormed in 1855 and now the last surviving saxhorn band in Scotland, it plays each year at the Hawick Common Riding. A carer could take someone to a public performance and arrive early for a seat near the front.Details
  • MusicBorders folk clubs and singing sessionsScottish Borders Folk lists regular informal clubs and sessions, including fortnightly afternoon music in Peebles and monthly sessions in Kelso, welcoming beginners as well as players. Afternoon start times suit an older person, and a carer can handle transport and stay for the company.Details
  • Photography · HawickHawick Camera ClubA local photography club in Hawick with meetings, competitions and exhibitions for all levels of experience. A carer could arrange lifts to evening meetings and help with printing or loading images beforehand.Details
  • Painting · KelsoBorders Art Fair at Springwood ParkAn annual three day visual art fair in Kelso with more than 70 stands of galleries, artists and collectives, plus creative activities. A carer could go on a quieter morning, plan seated breaks and help carry any purchase home.Details
  • Reading · MelroseBorders Book Festival in MelroseA four day festival held each June in Harmony Garden and orchard in Melrose, with over 100 events, a festival bookshop and free entry to the site. A carer could book one or two afternoon talks rather than a full day, and pre-book seats.Details
  • ReadingLibrary reading groups across the BordersLive Borders runs reading groups, including informal Book Blether sessions where people share what they have been reading, at libraries across the region. A carer can check which library hosts a group nearby, arrange transport and help collect the next month's book.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in the Scottish Borders

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
AbbotsfordMelrosehalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Melrose AbbeyMelrosean hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
The Great Tapestry of ScotlandGalashielsan hour or twoPaid entryYesYesAsk
Dawyck Botanic GardenPeebleshalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
St Abb's HeadSt Abbsan hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Jedburgh AbbeyJedburghan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
Dryburgh AbbeyNewtown St Boswellsan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
Jim Clark Motorsport MuseumDunsan hour or twoPaid entryYesYesAsk

Where the places are in the Scottish Borders

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

ColdstreamPeeblesHawickLauderEyemouthKelso12345678
  1. 1Abbotsford, Melrose
  2. 2Melrose Abbey, Melrose
  3. 3The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels
  4. 4Dawyck Botanic Garden, Peebles
  5. 5St Abb's Head, St Abbs
  6. 6Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh
  7. 7Dryburgh Abbey, Newtown St Boswells
  8. 8Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, Duns

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in the Scottish Borders

Carers in the Scottish Borders charge £19 to £19 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £19, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £76 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in the Scottish Borders has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in the Scottish Borders

Abbotsford in Melrose, Melrose Abbey in Melrose, The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels, Dawyck Botanic Garden in Peebles, St Abb's Head in St Abbs, Jedburgh Abbey in Jedburgh, Dryburgh Abbey in Newtown St Boswells and Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for The Great Tapestry of Scotland and Jim Clark Motorsport Museum describes a step-free route. The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Dawyck Botanic Garden, St Abb's Head and Jim Clark Motorsport Museum have an accessible toilet. The Great Tapestry of Scotland lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

St Abb's Head. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 6 of the carers with a rate near the Scottish Borders drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £19 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in the Scottish Borders shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of the Scottish Borders

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around the Scottish Borders

Days out in the areas around the Scottish Borders

Companionship care by town in the Scottish Borders

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in the Scottish Borders

See carers near the Scottish Borders who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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