Holiday rentals in Peebles

About an hour south of Edinburgh, the town of Peebles is characterized by its magnificent rolling green hills, from the Moorfoot Hills in the north to Dun Rig in the south. The landscape here is vast and dotted with pockets of woodland, including pine and larch. The high street in Peebles is lined with traditional stone buildings, and the 500-year-old market cross stands tall in the middle of the square to remind visitors of its importance as a market town and its history as a royal burgh.

The imposing crown spire of the 19th-century Peebles Old Church dominates the heart of the city beside the many arches of Tweed Bridge. The bridge dates back hundreds of years and crosses the River Tweed, which runs through the centre of town, offering riverside walks and parks, including Victoria Park and Hay Lodge Park. Peebles enjoys a thriving arts scene centred on the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre, which is housed in a former church.

The town of Peebles is a year-round destination. It hosts a variety of events, including the week-long Peebles Beltane Festival in June and the Peeblesshire Agricultural Show in August. At the beginning of September, the town hosts the Peebles Highland Games, with a rich variety of traditional Scottish events, including country dancing, haggis hurling, and a pipe band competition. All year long, the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre hosts concerts, plays, dance performances, talks, and comedy shows.

Some attractions in the area are seasonal, including the Dawyck Botanic Garden, which is open from the beginning of April until the end of November. Peebles’ location in the Scottish Borders means that daylight hours are long from May until the end of August, when temperatures are at their warmest. Autumn, winter, and spring tend to see higher winds and higher rainfall levels.

Ruins of Cross Kirk

In the northern part of town stand the Cross Kirk ruins, which serve as a reminder of when Peebles was an important pilgrimage site. In the 13th century, a church was built here after a cross and an urn containing what were believed to be the remains of St Nicholas were discovered.

Tweeddale Museum and Gallery

A 16th-century building in the centre of Peebles is home to the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery. The exhibits on display detail the region’s history, from its past as a medieval pilgrimage site and its time as a royal burgh to its woollen mills. The visual arts that are showcased here include a reproduction of part of the Parthenon Frieze.

Glentress Forest

Around 6.5 kilometres outside Peebles is the magnificent Glentress Forest, with a selection of walking and mountain-biking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Choose a path and wander among Douglas fir, pine, ash, and birch trees to discover Iron Age history as you soak in the views across the Tweed Valley.