Borders’ historic sites set for extended season

Historic attractions across the Borders are keeping their doors open to visitors for longer this season.

Historic Environment Scotland announced the extended openings at over 50 sites across the country.

It comes as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Two sites across the Borders are included in the extensions.

Hermitage Castle and Smailholm Tower will now be welcoming visitors until the end of October.

Hermitage Castle is of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Smailholm Tower is a 20m-tall tower-house which provided inspiration for Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish historical novelist.

The extended season will form celebration of Scotland’s first-ever Heritage Awareness Day.

The event is an opportunity for people across Scotland to celebrate heritage throughout the country.

Historic Environment Scotland said:

We continue to see increased numbers of visitors to our sites, demonstrating the enduring appeal and value of historic attractions, and their importance for Scotland’s wider tourism sector.

Heritage Awareness Day takes place on Friday 6 October.