Scottish Borders and nearby

It's been eighteen years (!) since I've been there, but I would recommend Alnwick (both the town and the castle - I studied abroad there while in college; I haven't yet visited the garden), Lindisfarne and Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle (even if only from the beach - it's beautiful), Berwick-Upon-Tweed for the castle and ramparts, maybe Newcastle if you want a larger town. We visited Jedburgh and Melrose ruins when I was over there, and those were pretty interesting. Hadrian's Wall isn't far away. I'm hoping to go back in 2021, and in addition to seeing Alnwick Garden, I may head up to St Andrews for a little golf history. I'm planning to go in the spring and maybe take a ferry to Isle of May to see the puffins - October isn't the right time of year to see them, but if you enjoy birding, I imagine an autumn migration of other seabirds could be happening during that time. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for these great suggestions! The quieter the home base, the better. I will actually be staying three nights in Alnwick with my friend, so I'm looking forward to it. October is certainly not the best time to visit this area, but the flight was dirt cheap, and one does not head to Scotland for the weather, so I'll enjoy whatever I explore.

I agree with the above replies with Alnwick Castle. I went there last year and loved it. Beautiful castle and lots to explore. I didn't have time to see the town but that looked really nice as well. If you're a Harry Potter fan you'll like it even more because the movie was filmed there.

Holy Island would be a must for me. Visit the Castle and the Priory there, take the circular walk beyond the old lime kilns and sample the local mead. As it’s accessed via a tidal causeway, you would have to check that you can get on and off at suitable times.

There are some fantastic castles on the mainland including Warkworth, Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh.

Alnwick is ok, but has been ruined by Harry Potter and has therefore lost much of its charm, as it’s overrun with tourists.

Have a singin’ hinnie clotted cream tea at the Lavender Tearoom in the gorgeous Etal. (It’s the local version of a scone).

Have a drive through the Cheviot hills and look out for the local white cattle.

One of my favourite National Trust properties in the country is Cragside near Rothbury. It was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity back in the 1860s. You could spend a full day here including walking in the grounds.

Explore Northumberland’s gorgeous coastline with walks on the beach.

Explore the border towns of Jedburgh, Hawick (pronounced hoik) and Melrose for its Abbey. Walk round St Abb’s Head on the coast.

Can’t put it any better than Jennifer, she’s on the money! Although you might want to stay on the coast at Alnmouth for a couple of days as opposed to the slightly more inland Alnwick. Alnmouth doesn’t seem to attract the Harry Potter fans and it’s got several fine hostelries/eating spots!

You can’t go far wrong with Northumberland in my book, lots to do and see, so I’m sure you’ll have a great trip!

Ian

Keilder observatory...do public lectures.
Will be going again

Thank you for your ideas! I'm not fussed about Harry Potter, but I love exploring old buildings and ruins, and finding hidden gems. Thanks for responding!

Walking a portion of Hadrian's Wall was a highlight of our family's trip to Northumberland a couple of years ago. I wouldn't miss that, if I were you.

Near Durham, south of Northumberland, is an open-air museum called Beamish. It was an absolute delight--and, to our surprise, we were the only Americans that we heard the entire day. Beamish does not appear to be on the international tourist's radar; either that, or we simply experienced an unusual day. I recommend it highly.