Scott's View

One of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders.

TravelCurious Tip

Try and pass the impressive Leaderfoot Viaduct on the approach from Newstead

Scott’s View is a famous viewpoint in the Scottish Borders, about three miles east of Melrose. Overlooking the valley of the River Tweed, it is reputed to have been a favourite spot of the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott — hence the name.


The Scottish Borders are famously beautiful, and Scott’s View provides an unrivalled panorama; try to either arrive early or late in the day, so you can enjoy it under the morning mists or the setting sun. To the northwest the view runs along Tweed valley towards Melrose and Black Hill, one of Scotland’s many Marilyns. To the southwest, farmlands roll beyond the village of Newton St Boswells. And, of course, to the west are the three great peaks of Eildon.


An unwitting wizard

According to legend, there weren’t always three peaks at Eildone. Michael Scott was a 13th century Scottish philosopher who has since been mythologised as a wizard and had some rather curious acts ascribed to him — including the three peaks at Eildone. As Sir Walter Scott wrote in ‘The Lay of the Last Minstrel’, Scott conquered a foul demon by challenging it to weave ropes from sea-salt, which it failed to do — but only after it had already cleft Eildon hill into its three distinctive cones.


One last look

As the story goes, Sir Walter Scott would stop here so often on his way home to Abbotsford that his horses began to halt without command. And when he died in 1832, his funeral carriage passed this way en route to his burial and the horses stopped again, allowing their master one last look at the Borders landscape.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Edinburgh
Rosslyn Chapel
Scotland's medieval masterpiece is among its most beautiful heritage attractions.
Melrose Abbey
Now part-ruined, lavish Melrose Abbey was the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland, founded in 1136.
Glenkinchie Distillery
A wonderful whisky distillery offering tours for a unique taste of Scotland's 'water of life.'
Roslin Castle
A grand semi-ruined castle overlooking the River Esk.
William Wallace Statue
A huge monument to the ‘Guardian of Scotland,’ with a great view over the Lowlands.
Craigmillar Castle
One of the most preserved medieval castles in Scotland featuring a tower, a prison and extensive gardens.

Related Tours

Rosslyn Chapel & Melrose: Private Day Trip from Edinburgh

Scotland is a nation renowned for its natural beauty. On this full-day excursion to the Scottish Borders, discover the stunning architecture of Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin Castle, and Melrose Abbey.

On your private tour, you will:

  • Enjoy a scenic drive to Rosslyn (Spelled also Roslin) and hear about the bloody battles and interesting discoveries in the village;
  • Explore the mysterious interiors of Rosslyn Chapel, featured in Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code;
  • Discover the beautiful architecture of Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders, the final resting place of the heart of Robert the Bruce;
  • See the historic town of Melrose, located next to the Eildon Hills and the birthplace of Rugby Sevens;
  • Stop for a traditional Scottish lunch in Melrose;
  • Visit the spectacular Scott's View, Sir Walter Scott's favourite view in the Scottish Borders, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed;
  • Round your day off at Glenkinchie Distillery, learning and sampling some of Glenkinchie's finest malts.


Your tour will begin your tour with a short scenic drive to Roslin, a small village just 7 miles from Edinburgh. The tiny village of Roslin is home to an amazing legacy of Templar knights, medieval conspiracies, and bloody battles.

Heralded as the eventual reliquary of the Holy Grail, the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel is full of exquisite medieval carvings depicting intriguing biblical, masonic, pagan and Templar themes, not found anywhere in the world. You will also have a chance to visit Roslin Castle, which remains an imposing shadow of its former glory.

You will then head into the heart of the Scottish Borders, to the town of Melrose, an area rich in hills, valleys and rivers – and the birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens. Home to the lavish Melrose Abbey, founded in 660, you will explore the beautiful architecture and the fascinating lives of the medieval monks who lived and died here. In Melrose, your guide will recommend a spot for enjoying some traditional Scottish fare before you continue your tour.

After lunch, you will head to Scott’s View, one of the most spectacular vistas of Scotland. Rounding the day to warm your insides, visit the charming Glenkinchie Distillery, one of the few Lowland distilleries left in Scotland. Here you will learn about, and sample some of Glenkinchie's finest malts.

Enjoy Scotland's treasured lowlands and enjoy the beauty of Scotland's natural landscapes, while marvelling at several of its most world-renown sites.

Please note: If your travelling party is larger than 3, please be in touch so we may work with you on a custom booking. Also, consider that children under the age of 8 are not permitted on Glenkinchie Distillery's tours due to health & safety reasons.

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