Holiday rentals in Eyemouth

The small seaside town of Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders sits on the North Sea, 15 minutes from the English border. Colourful fishing boats, reflected in the waters of Eyemouth’s protected harbour, are part of the town’s history. Fishermen have been setting out from Eyemouth since the 13th century, and its narrow streets and sea caves were the settings for many an 18th-century smuggling adventure.

Stone cottages in Eyemouth line the sandy beach, with craggy, grass-topped cliffs stretching out on either side. There are rolling hills and imposing castles all around the town, including the Victorian Gothic-style Ayton Castle, which served as inspiration for well-known 19th-century novelists. Today, the Berwickshire coastline offers excellent scuba diving and kayaking on the chilly North Sea, while golfers can enjoy scenic rounds on the local 18-hole course.

Well-marked cycleways through peaceful countryside connect Eyemouth to pretty villages such as Paxton. You can also follow the scenic Berwickshire Coastal Path along the cliffs in either direction.

The weather in Eyemouth remains mild all year, with short, cool summers and long, windy winters during which the temperature rarely dips below freezing. The wind and cloud cover can make winters feel colder than they are, however, so be sure to bundle up. In the winter, the town is quiet, and some attractions are closed for the season, which you should keep in mind when booking your Eyemouth accommodation. Rain is also possible at any time of year, so it’s a good idea to carry an umbrella. The summer months of July and August have long daylight hours and bring pleasant weather for exploring the beaches.

In July, the town crowns a young girl of Eyemouth as the Herring Queen, in a tradition that arose from the desire to commemorate peace after the First World War. The harbourside festival and crowning ceremony is accompanied by a lively parade, races, and food stalls. In August, the town’s lifeboat station holds a gala weekend, which honors the RNLI for saving lives at sea with live music, barbecues, and cake stalls.

Eyemouth Museum

Housed in the Auld Kirk, a 19th-century parish church with an impressive tower, Eyemouth Museum brings the social heritage of the town to life, including through a number of virtual reality tours. It is home to the Eyemouth Tapestry, a 15-foot embroidered mural that tells the story of a tragic fishing disaster during the great storm of 1881. The museum is open from April until the end of October.

St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve

This coastal nature reserve is a haven for thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs of the St Abb’s Head peninsula, just a 10-minute drive from Eyemouth. Sea pinks and wild thyme carpet the clifftops in summer, and you can often spot seals in the water below. The National Trust for Scotland looks after this spectacularly wild place, and there’s a Nature Centre where you can learn about the many birds and other creatures who live here.

Gunsgreen House

Gunsgreen House was built for a local merchant and smuggler in the 1750s. Its elegant neo-classical design served as a facade that concealed the merchant’s illegal trade in tea and other goods. The rooms have been carefully restored, and the volunteer guides have plenty of tales to tell. There are also beautiful views over the harbour from the upper windows.