BORDERS ART GALLERIES TRAIL

That's us! A visit to the First (and last) art gallery in Scotland is a must for your itinerary. Coldstream is a great base for exploring all that the area has to offer. Come and see our current exhibition. We can help you find a home to buy or rent in the Borders area too!

Visit the Hirsel Estate to see working craft studios, Julia Linstead Glass and Abbey Ceramics. Explore around the lake and enjoy lunch or coffee with delicious bakes and home produce in the Homestead Cafe.

Paxton House boasts a magnificent picture gallery dating from 1814. In collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland they exhibit  portraits, land and seascapes, still lifes, romantic and avant garde paintings which tells the story of Scottish painting from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Go to website

Number Four Gallery offers an ever changing selection of work by both established and emerging artists and makers.  St Abbs headland is a thrilling clifftop walk and nearby St Abbs village is a charming fishing village. Go to website

Plan your lunch or coffee stop around a visit to The Flat Cat Gallery  who have an ongoing exhibition with a selection of  regular artists and new artists that is always changing.   Go to website

Ian and Elizabeth Hird make a range of domestic stoneware at their studio in the centre of Kelso. Ian also makes  a range of pit-fired decorative peices using local coloured clays. Go to website

The Kinsman-Blake Family Gallery is open every day where you can also meet the artists in the workshop. They make and exhibit ceramics, paintings, jewellery, screenprints, woodwork and other quality arts and crafts. Go to website

Real Wood Studios is a hub facility for designer-makers and a supplier of sustainably sourced Scottish hardwoods. You can meet the makers and, while you are in the area, visit the next door Woodside Garden Centre and Cafe.

Harestanes Steading is a hub for various craft workshops as well as the Buy Design Gallery. The walking in the area is excellent with St Cuthbert's Way and the Waterloo Monument on the doorstep. Families love the outdoor playpark there! See map

Linda Lovatt makes exquisite "Beastie" Assemblages at her studio in Jedburgh where you can see her at work.  The gallery stocks a magical collection of Scottish contemporary art and craft in the heart of Jedburgh.  Go to website

 Hawick Museum hosts exhibitions by artists from March to November. It is run by Live Borders who also manage seasonal exhibitions at Halliwell's House in Selkirk, Old Gala House in Galashiels and Coldstream Museum. All Year Venues include Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick and Peebles Library, Museum and Gallery.

The Crafters is a cooperative group of local Scottish Borders artists and designers. Visit their shop in Market Square, Melrose. Their annual Art and Design Fair is held at Springwood, Kelso in November. Go to website

Selkirk has two glass studios that are open to visitors. Holmes Glass is in town (they also offer a glass-blowing experience) and Lindean Mill Glass which is just outside the town.

Rob welcomes interested clients to his studio workshop where he creates exquisite furniture from elm wood. You can also see fine examples of his work at our Hastings First Gallery

Burnside Gallery in Market Place, Selkirk host exhibitions by various artists. Open Wednesday to Saturday, they also offer a offer a Picture Framing service.

This famous tapestry depicts 420 million years of Scotland’s story in 160 panels of stitched art.  The award-winning purpose-build centre also hosts temporary exhibitions of Scottish and International art, craft and design. Go to website

The gallery displays work by artists and craft makers and hosts several solo exhibitions each year. Guild-approved picture framing service  Go to website

A bright intimate gallery with felted pieces of art by Moy. Ceramics, paintings, jewellery, glass, cards and gifts are for for sale. Go to website

Contemporary art gallery with  exhibitions by both established artists and exciting new talent. Also handmade crafts from Scottish based crafters. Go to website

This prestigious event is held each March. It's worth basing your trip to the Borderlands around the weekend of the Borders Art Fair to see top selling artists display their best work. Go to website The fair is held at Springwood Park Showground which hosts various events throughout the year.

The May Holiday Weekend each year brings Art at Ancrum; a long weekend of exhibitions and demonstrations by professional artists and design-led makers in multiple venues throughout the village of Ancrum. Entry is free.  Go to website

The Tin Shed Exhibitions are held at various venues across Northumberland. They also organise pop-up, quality arts' fairs in Etal Village on the second Wednesday of each month between May and October

Go to website

The Alnmouth Arts Festival is held annually in June . With over 50 artists, craftspeople and designers exhibiting and selling works across the village in more than 20 private and public venues it's a great day out!  Go to website

 The annual art exhibition at Ayton Castle is held on August Holiday Weekend. It features work by 20 local artists. The exhibition also includes pieces from the owners' private contemporary art collection. The castle's diesel train Lloyd will be running for rides through the grounds and the cafe will also be open. Find out more