Discover Innerleithen through several distinct themes: a working printing works, historic buildings, a unique festival tradition and paths by the water. These give you different ways to focus your trip. You might be especially interested in industrial and architectural history, or in exploring easy walking paths along the rivers.
Printing history and historic buildings
Robert Smail’s Printing Works is a working printing works that uses the letterpress process. It is considered an important part of Scotland’s industrial heritage. The printing works is therefore a notable landmark for anyone interested in printing and industrial history.
Another historic landmark is Cuddy Brig: the stone arch bridge crosses the Leithen Water and was built in 1701. Innerleithen Parish Church adds Gothic Revival architecture. Thomas Pilkington originally designed it in 1865; in 1887, it was extensively remodelled by James Macintyre Henry. Its features include high-quality stonework, an unusual floor plan and a notable interior with galleries. The bridge and church therefore differ both in their design and their history.
Beyond individual buildings, the Innerleithen Conservation Area currently includes 19 listed buildings and two monuments protected as Scheduled Monuments. This gives the town’s history a broader context alongside the specific examples of the bridge and church.
A spring and a festival tradition
St. Ronan’s Wells was established at the site of a natural spring in the 1820s and flourished in the 19th century. The site thus connects a particular landscape feature with the history of Innerleithen’s development.
The festival tradition also has a long history. St. Ronan’s Games and Cleikum Ceremonies is a border festival unique to Innerleithen. The St. Ronan’s Border Games were established in 1827 and are considered Scotland’s oldest organised sporting gathering. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the current dates before booking.
Walking paths and woodland
Routes from Innerleithen and Walkerburn include easy walking paths along the banks of the River Tweed and the Leithen Water. These paths offer a different way to explore the area from its historic buildings and festival history. There is also deciduous and coniferous woodland at the foot of Caerlee Hill, managed by the Woodland Trust.
Getting there and practical planning
Innerleithen is accessible by bus. The nearest railway station is in Galashiels; the X62 bus runs directly from there to Innerleithen and continues on its return journey to Peebles and Edinburgh. As timetable details can change, it is advisable to check current services before travelling.
For Innerleithen Forest, there is a walking route of about half a mile from the nearest bus stop. This lets you plan the bus journey separately from this final stretch on foot. When available, the Adrenalin Uplift shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes and carries up to 64 passengers and their bikes. Check whether the shuttle is available before making specific plans; this information is not a guarantee that it will operate on your travel dates.
The travel information also helps you factor rail or bus connections into your plans.
Discover more destinations: Morebattle, Saint Boswells, Duns, West Linton, Clovenfords, Traquair, Selkirk, Coldstream.
For the broader travel overview: The Scottish Borders.
