A mile south of Innerleithen, the village of Traquair sits on the outskirts of Traquair House. Traquair House is the oldest continuously inhabited stately house in Scotland, having been built in the early 1100s and given refuge to Mary Queen of Scots — as well as more than two dozen other kings and queens of Scotland.
With a population of only two hundred, Traquair village is much smaller than its neighbour to the north, but no less picturesque. It offers several amenities as well as stunning views across the Tweed Valley to Lee Pen. The settlement as a whole is quite spread-out, with the village hall located at the northern end and Traquair Kirk a mile to the south. Traquair is also a key location for hikers, as it allows easy access to the Southern Upland Way: the western path reaches the village just south of Traquair Kirk, while the eastern path will take you from the village hall and up into the hills, across the Minch Moor to Selkirk.
Traquair can be reached via the B709 to the south of Innerleithen. From Innerleithen, take Traquair Road from the High Street across the Tweed, yielding right at the Innerleithen Trails carpark. From Yarrowdale and the A708, take the B709 north from the crossroads outside the Gordon Arms Hotel; you’ll pass through Kirkhouse before reaching Traquair.
Innerleithen.org.uk
Website maintained by Innerleithen and District Community Council.