Peebles & Local Area

Unlock the Scottish Borders and experience the beauty of our local area.  With plenty of quirky, wee shops for you to browse, a range of active experiences, and a variety of local festivals and events there is always something to see and do in Peebles.

Things To Do & Places To Visit

Have a look at our top 10 favourite things to do or places to visit in and around Peebles.

From landmarks to country houses, history and the arts, to action packed adventures – we have something for everyone.

Discover Peebles

Peebles grew up around a long-vanished medieval wooden castle and was created a Royal burgh in 1367.  The town housed prisoners from the Napoleonic wars in the 19th century and it is thought that these prisoners helped to build The Tontine Hotel, which was completed in 1808.  The hotel was financed by an unusual form of money raising called the Tontine principle, in which a group of people invest in a project, but lose their share on death, finally leaving one surviving investor who becomes the sole owner.  Not surprisingly, this form of money-raising is not used today.

Today Peebles offers visitors the opportunity to spend lazy days browsing our award-winning independent shops and exploring our cultural treasures such as Traquair House, returning only to sip tea whilst nibbling on our delicious home-made scones and cakes.   The range of local active experiences on offer include golf, fishing, walking, stalking, cycling and adrenaline inducing, blood pumping activities such as mountain biking and zipping along wires at GoApe Glentress.   And with a host of local festivals and events such as the Beltane Festival, Peebles Arts Festival, Tweedlove Bike Festival, Peebles Highland Games and Imaginarium, there’s bound to be something to grasp your interest.

At The Tontine Hotel, we’re proud to be the hotel in the heart of Peebles.  So if you want to escape for some well earned rest and relaxation, or to enjoy a reunion with friends and family, the Tontine is the perfect place to be.  Whatever your interest, with our local knowledge, warm hospitality and activity expertise we will make sure that you have an excellent stay.

Discover The Tweed Valley

Tweed Valley is a hub of adventure, activity, culture and tranquillity.  It boasts beautiful landscapes and at its heart is the River Tweed, running through and creating a serene atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after a busy day of exploration.

You can get active with great biking and walking routes, fishing, and a selection of over 20 golf courses across the Scottish Borders.  For a true taste of Scottish culture be sure to explore the historic and characterful towns of Peebles, Innerleithen, West Linton, and Selkirk that form Tweed Valley.  Whether you fancy lazy Scottish days browsing through unique shops, drinking tea, and eating delicious shortbread, or you fancy an active break that gets your blood pumping, the Tweed Valley can give you everything.

And Peebles is less than an hour away from Edinburgh so you can experience the ‘best of both worlds’-  in both Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city and the tranquil countryside in the Scottish Borders for a true taste of the best of Scotland.

Discover the Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders boast some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery that Scotland has to offer.  You don’t need to travel far to experience a truly authentic taste of Scottish culture and cuisine in some of the picturesque towns scattered throughout the Borders.

The River Tweed runs through the Borders adding to the green, hilly landscapes that surround these quaint towns.  As you drive through you’ll see fields, moors, valleys, and coastal views that together create a tranquil and romantic atmosphere.  Delve into our rich history and explore the stately homes, castles, and selection of abbeys.

Due to the rich landscape, our chefs are able to locally source the majority of our produce. Which means, during your stay at The Tontine Hotel, you can enjoy the taste of the freshest seafood, beef, lamb, chicken and vegetables.

Let The Tontine Hotel be your key to unlocking the mysteries of the Scottish Borders.

Tontine Experiences

The Tontine Hotel is a hive of activity for those who enjoy getting out and about whilst on holiday.  We offer a range of experiences for you to get involved in.