Berwickshire, a maritime county in the extreme SE. of Scotland, extending in extreme breadth about 20 m. between Haddingtonshire and the English border, and in extreme length about 33 miles between Roxburgshire and the German Ocean; coast-line about 20 miles; area, 460.6 square miles; population 35,392, or 77 persons to each square mile. The coast is high and rocky, and the few but important fishing harbs. are much exposed. St Abbs Head is the main projection. The Lammermuir Hills, to the average breadth of 7 miles, occupy all the N.; a bleak and mostly moorland tract of 5 miles in breadth, but somewhat diversified towards the E., succeeds; and the luxuriant and fertile district, called the Merse, slopes from this to the banks of the Tweed. The district of Lauderdale, on the W., is chiefly upland. The Tweed traces about half of the S. boundary, and receives the Leader, Eden, Leet, and the Whiteadder (with its affl. the Blackadder). The Eye enters the German Ocean at Eyemouth. The lands on Tweedside are in a very high state of cultivation; the rest of the county is chiefly pastoral. The fisheries, both on the coast and in the Tweed, are among the most important in Scotland. The county comprises 31 parishes and parts of 2 others.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Coldstream Museum
12 Market Square
Coldstream TD12 4BD
01890 882 630
www.holy-island.info/coldstream-museum
The story of the Coldstream Guards regiment. Colours, customs, duties and dramas spanning over 350 years.
Eyemouth Museum
Auld Kirk, Manse Road
Eyemouth TD14 5JE
01890 751701
Eyemouth Museum is based in the centre of the town and documents the fishing and social heritage of Eyemouth, brought to life in its exhibits and through stories from local people. Central to the museum is the famous Eyemouth Tapestry that commemorates the Great East Coast Fishing Disaster of 1881, known as Black Friday, when 129 Eyemouth men lost their lives at sea.
Jim Clark Room, The
44 Newtown Street
Duns TD11 3AU
01361 883 960
The museum Room is devoted to the career of Jim Clark, World Motor Racing Champion and Berwickshire farmer. It houses a fascinating display of trophies, awards, photographs, model cars, memorabilia and video presentation.
Manderston
Duns TD11 3PP
01361 882636
www.manderston.co.uk
Manderston is the supreme country house of Edwardian Scotland; the swan-song of its era. A house on which no expense was spared with opulent staterooms, the only silver-staircase in the world and extensive ‘downstairs’ domestic quarters.
Visitors will find much to enjoy including Britain’s first privately-owned Biscuit Tin Museum.
Paxton House
Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1SZ
01289 386291
www.paxtonhouse.co.uk
Built to the design of John Adam in 1758 for a dashing young Scottish laird, Patrick Home of Billie, Paxton House is perhaps the finest 18th century Palladian country house in Britain with 12 period rooms, interiors by Robert Adam and the pre-eminent collection of Chippendale furniture in Scotland. The magnificent picture gallery, the largest in a Scottish country house, exhibits over 70 paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland and the fully restored working Georgian kitchen is complete with active charcoal stoves and baking oven.
Thirlestane Castle
Thirlestane Castle Trust
Lauder TD2 6RU
01578 722430
www.thirlestanecastle.co.uk
Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest castles in Scotland and holds a uniquely important place in Scottish History. The castle has its origins in the 13th century.