Travel Information in the Scottish Borders

There's a good network of buses serving the region's main towns. Bus timetables are available from local tourist offices. For all bus information, call the Borders Council Transport Division, Tel 01835-825200. The main operator is First Edinburgh, Tel 0131-6639233. There are numerous buses running between the main towns of Galashiels, Melrose, Peebles, Hawick, Selkirk, Jedburgh and Kelso. There are also buses connecting the Border towns with Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed. There are regular buses from Berwick-upon-Tweed (Traveline Tel 0870-6082608). National Express, Tel 08705 808080, runs services from Newcastle to Edinburgh via Jedburgh, Galashiels and Melrose.

The regular bus service is supplemented during the summer months (Jul-Sep) by the Harrier Scenic Bus Services. Buses make round-trip tours once a week on the following routes: Melrose-Moffat via Galashiels, Selkirk, Bowhill House, Yarrow, St Mary's Loch (on Thu); Selkirk-Eyemouth via Galashiels, Melrose, Kelso, Coldstream, Berwick-upon-Tweed; Hawick-Eyemouth via Jedburgh, Town Yetholm, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Current timetables are available at local tourist offices.

The main London-Edinburgh railway line follows the east coast from Berwick-upon-Tweed north to Dunbarin East Lothian. There is no rail link with the Border towns, so you'll have to get off at Berwick and take a bus from there.

There's a good road network which allows you to explore the region easily by car. The best way to see the Borders, though, is on foot or by bike. The 90-mile Tweed Cycleway runs past the most important sights, while the Southern Uplands Way takes you through the region's most beautiful and spectacular scenery.

There are plenty of opportunities for walking in the Borders, whether it's a gentle stroll or a serious hike across open country. There's a comprehensive network of paths and forest trails plus a programme of Ranger-led walks. For more details see Walking in the Scottish Borders and Ranger-led Walks, both available free at tourist offices.

There are nine tourist information centres throughout the region. The ones in Jedburgh and Peebles are open all year, and the others (in Coldstream, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso, Melrose and Selkirk) are open from Apr to Oct. Details are given under each town.

For any of their free publications call Tel 0870-6070250, and for information on Borders festivals, such as the Melrose Rugby Sevens or the Ridings, call the Events Line, Tel 01750-20054. For information visit www. scot-borders.co.uk, or call the information line, Tel 01835-863170