It’s only an hour out of Edinburgh.
20:00, 17 Apr 2026
The town is located just outside of Edinburgh but is the perfect quiet retreat(Image: Graham Laycock / 500px / Getty Images)
Scotland Now’s Alexander Smail has visited countless villages, towns, and cities across Scotland over the years. While they have their own charm and unique features that make them worth a visit, there is one town in particular that rise above the rest in his opinion.
According to Alexander, his favourite town in Scotland is Peebles in the Scottish Borders. Situated around 22 miles from Edinburgh, the commuter town is home to a population of approximately 9,000 people and is popular amongst commuters who work in the Scottish capital.
As well as offering easy access to Edinburgh, Peebles is loved by locals and tourist alike for its many beautiful walks and tranquil scenery. The town also has lots of different cafés and restaurants, as well as unique attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages.
Read on for Alexander’s thoughts on Peebles and why it is his favourite town in Scotland, from the food to its best walks. Let us know your favourite place in Scotland in the comments below!
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If I had to choose one town in Scotland that is my very favourite out of all of the ones that I have visited over the years, it would have to be Peebles in the Borders. I would describe myself as both a city and country boy, and Peebles caters to this perfectly as it offers amazing rural scenery while also being just an hour from Edinburgh.
One of my favourite things about Peebles is just how many amazing walks there are, whether you want to stay close to the town centre or venture out into the gorgeous surrounding area. Parks such as Hay Lodge and Victoria are great places to head if you’re with your four-legged friend as they offer sprawling expanses of grass to run around in.
Hay Lodge Park(Image: Hay Lodge Park, Peebles by Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0 )
My favourite walk in Peebles has to be the Neidpath Castle and Viaduct Circular, which begins at the town’s public swimming pool and passes along the River Tweed to the 13th century L-plan rubble-built tower house Neidpath Castle. You will then cross over the absolutely stunning Neidpath Viaduct, before heading across the Tweed Bridge and returning to your starting point.
The views out over the water from the top of the viaduct are incredible, but my favourite part of the walk might be the Neidpath Tunnel—known by locals as the ‘half-mile tunnel’. The structure dates back to 1864 but has long since been abandoned, and if you are brave enough to venture inside you will find yourself in total darkness at the midpoint as neither the entrance or exit will be visible.
Neidpath Tunnel(Image: Alexander Smail)
With spring in full bloom, another great place to head for a walk is Kailzie Estate just outside of Peebles. Home to a walled botanical garden with glasshouses, as well as wild gardens, woodland walks, and a café, it is a lovely spot to pause and reconnect with nature before returning to the noise of modern life.
Peebles is also a coffee and food haven, in my opinion, with no shortage of amazing cafés dotted around the town centre. My two favourites would have to be Cocoa Black and Coltman’s, which have very different vibes but both serve up amazing hot coffee and plenty of sweet treats.
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If you’re more interested in the cakes than the coffee, then I would definitely recommend Cocoa Black. The chocolate boutique and patisserie is famous for its European-style cakes, with my personal favourite being the Gâteau Opéra—a layered spongecake soaked in coffee syrup and layered with chocolate ganache and buttercream.
Meanwhile, Coltman’s is more of a deli and is therefore a great place to head if you are after something more substantial to eat. As well as cakes and pastries, you can get baguettes, salads, quiche, tarts, and even larger dishes such as BBQ pork belly skewers, butternut squash risotto, and maple and miso baked aubergine.
Another great place for food in Peebles, especially if you are planning to stick around for dinner, is Italian restaurant Francos. A local institution, it serves up some of the best pizzas I have ever eaten and has a quaint and old-fashioned vibe that is really refreshing amidst all of the trendy restaurants and bars I visit in the city.
One of my favourite attractions in Peebles is the Eastgate Theatre, which I would especially recommend if you get unlucky with the weather during your visit. The theatre and arts centre hosts all kinds of entertainment, from plays and live music to movies catered to all ages.
The Eastgate Theatre(Image: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles by Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0)
When it comes to activities, my other top recommendations in the area are Go Ape Glentress Forest Peebles and Traquair House. The former features a 325-metre-long zip wire across a jaw-dropping 160-feet-high valley, while Traquair House is Scotland’s oldest inhabited house and has been visited by 27 Scottish Kings and Queens over the years.
Overall, Peebles is a true gem tucked away in the Scottish Borders. From its peaceful and beautiful walks to its top-quality restaurants and cafés to its thriving theatre and arts centre, I can’t recommend it enough if you are looking for a day-trip destination in Scotland.