Peebles to Traquair on the Cross Borders Drove Road & (at no extra cost!) THE HOTEL PRICING SCANDAL

A walk in the Scottish Borders on part of the Cross Borders Drove Road between Peebles and Traquair, ending in the Traquair Arms Hotel in Innerleithen. This 11 mile trek takes us from Peebles, up Gypsy Glen, and along a very well defined old drove road towards the highest point on the walk: Kirkhope Law. The drove road is well preserved in this section, and you can still see the parallel line of dry-stone walls that were built either side of the route in order to keep sheep and cattle from wandering off the drove road. From Kirkhope Law we head down hill, through the grounds of Traquair House, and into Innerleithen, where we finish with a bottle of Jacobite Ale, as brewed by that old old brewery in Traquair House.
At the beginning of the video, and around two-thirds of the way through, we discuss the pricing system that exists in hotels, and how the trend for using online booking sites is putting lone travelers who turn up out of the blue at a disadvantage, one that can see them being charged exorbitant rates, perhaps even double the cost if booked online, for a room. While clearly we are emerging from a two-year pandemic that hit the tourism and hotel industries very badly, the hotel industry nevertheless needs to take a long hard look at itself. For a hotel to advertise rates via Visit Scotland of upwards of £65, and then charge someone who turns up out of the blue looking for a room for the night £220, there is clearly something badly wrong.
The Scottish Borders is an area of stunning scenic beauty, and I very much hope I've managed to capture a little bit of it just for you.

[@michaelguest93]

The wife and I are English and live on the Shropshire/Herefordshire border. Your walk invoked warm memories of our stay at Traquair Castle 20 yrs ago. We too wondered around historic Peebles, and had a drink (or two) in the Traquair Arms Hotel. You have my full empathy re Traquair 'Beer', and on the question of inflated Hotel prices for those who simply turn up. Greatly enjoy all your videos. Keep walking, keep talking!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Michael. That was certainly a very strong beer.

[@Urbexy]

I think you're spot on about hotel prices. If someone books online they have the cost of the website, marketing and transaction fees to deal with. If someone turns up and asks for a room it cost them nothing to get the "lead". The problem is they see it as a desperate person and think they can charge what they like. Looks like a brilliant walk.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. The walk was just superb. The Scottish Borders is a stunning area of Scotland.

[@1964biggmark]

love the Borders , mother hails from the borders area , stayed many a week in wee village called Sprouston maybe 5 miles Kelso, absolutely beautiful countryside :)

[@1964biggmark]

oh on hotels.... was at a wedding recently Premier Inn, eldest daughter paid £84 for 2 nights we paid £88 for same nights, booked a week between, youngest daughter was quoted £104 a week after ours ,fortunately i had already booked for youngest so shows depending when you book varies ,closer to time higher rate???????????????

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

Did the Southern Upland Way in April 1986 when it had not long 'opened'. Covered the whole route in 10 days camping out and resupplying along the way. You are right about the mist Ed, can easily go off track. Great video.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Lochlainn. I probably walked the route around the same sort of time, in two halves. I remember the bleakness and isolation, which can be part of the attraction. Without a tent, planning was crucial; I think I booked all accommodation in advance.

[@ianmartin6497]

Hi Ed, that beer face gave way to the fact that it wasn't great... We were over in Scotland in 2019, and again in August 2022... We found that the accommodation had more that doubled in price. we are lucky that we could afford it , but for 5 weeks, it does total up the be a fair whack of money.... We live in Australia and the air fares , accommodation and car rental make it a very expensive trip... But in saying that, the country side still looks amazing... Cant wait till i move back to my birthplace in the next 2 years.. great landscapes and colours in your videos, keep them coming.... thanks..Ian

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Ian. I suppose that's why camper-vans are becoming so popular, although they must be putting hotels and guest houses out of business. Take care.

[@claremaidofthewave251]

Love learning about new places to walk, through your videos in the Scottish Borders. We live 3 miles from Yetholm, thank goodness we can drive around the areas to access walks and explore but it would be fantastic to stay over sometimes in a location and not have the long drive on occasion after a long walk home, but it’s just not financially possible with the prices charged. They could offer a better rate to UK residents or locals within a 100 mile radius etc. We have kindly been gifted Red Letter Day vouchers in the past for stays over night in Newcastle and Edinburgh, you find out you the get the lower end of everything once they know it’s a voucher, they always add extra costs, saying there are “events” on in the area! 🙄. Prices are scandalous in general given the service and standards we’ve experienced in the last few years before the stay at home times, (and we’re just a laid back middle aged pair!). Poor what you get, bit like rents these days! Maybe see you on an adventure 🤗.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. It's almost tempting to buy a tent, but on past experience it's not really suitable for many folk.

[@martinstilton1535]

Great video Ed, what a total nonsense everything is becoming now, seems online is cheaper for everything these days! Be thankful you didn't have to book your breakfast the next morning online first! 😩

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Martin. 👍

[@ronniebryce162]

Nice video, Peebles is a place I visit often to hike but have never done that route, I intend too now though. Agree about the hotel rip off, so saved up, bought a motorhome and a couple of tents and camping gear, so the hotels can get lost.

[@EdExploresScotland]

There are bits of the Cross Borders Drove Road I've got my eye on. Lovely area of Scotland. I have been tempted by camping, just to save money, but I don't think it would work for me. Take care.

[@thomasks3]

Great video Ed. I never could understand why booking a room in person should be more expensive?!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks.

[@BigRedJed]

At least you got a decent feed at breakfast. Enjoyable as always.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Not easy to eat £115 worth of bacon, beans and what have you. But I think I managed it.

[@mojogaucho]

The views! Stunning! I'm wondering whether something had died under that cairn where you stopped for lunch because of all the flies. I agree, hotel prices have become a joke.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks. I edited out some footage when I talked about bursting into tears when the scenery was as good as this. The Scottish Borders is probably the most beautiful area of Scotland.

[@nevillerussell3590]

Another great video Ed! Loved your review of the beer....."Wow" 😆 What I want to know is, did you finish it?! Look forward to your next video.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Neville. I wasn't initially sure about the Jacobite Ale. At 8% it's quite strong. But it grew on me. So much so that I had another. Not sure that I recall the bus to Edinburgh.

[@johnmull59]

Enjoyed that. Totally agree with you on hotel prices, it is a daft approach being used and not conducive to promoting tourism. Surely it can't be cheaper to stand in the hotel reception and book online 🤷? Perhaps some haggling is needed with appropriate comments being made on Trip Advisor!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks John. I suspect the fact that we're emerging from a two-year pandemic probably comes into this, but I still think the hotel industry needs to sort itself out.

[@johnmull59]

@@EdExploresScotland I remember years ago going on touring trips around the UK hotels, inns and B&Bs charged the same price if you booked in advance or just showed up on spec.....good holidays they were too, the best being around the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Happy days!

[@robertwright4651]

Very enjoyable video Ed hotel pricing it's gone mad what happened to the good old days you turn up you get a room if available complete nonsense anyway that beer looked strong hope you didn't fall asleep 💤💤 and have to spend another night in a hotel 😂 lol cheers until the next adventure

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Robert. Those good old days have gone.

[@robertwright4651]

Yes sad but true

[@charlesmair26]

It's a gotcha rate " Take it or leave it."

[@EdExploresScotland]

Absolutely.

[@Earlofmar1]

Hotels, yeah I get that. But don't get me started on train prices in the UK.

[@colinbilbyphotography59]

id be taking a tent lol .

[@EdExploresScotland]

It would certainly be cheaper.

[@georges1031]

The Hotel prices (Especially at this time of year) in Edinburgh. Are disgraceful. I... Like you have been a lone Traveller for 6 years, nigh. (Every month). I usually stay Room only in The Frederick Street Hotel on Frederick St. I've paid between £220-£550 for 4 nights! Depending on the time of year! The room's the same? So why the difference in price! Scaring Tourists away! I can get 7 days in Malta for 300 quid! Flights, Transfers in a Self-catering Apartment? Why UK? WHY???

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks for your comment George. We've clearly got a difficult situation in that we're emerging from a two-year pandemic that has hit the hotel and tourism industry very badly. But that is no excuse, and the hotel industry needs to take stock.

[@neilmckay8649]

Enjoyed you video as always. My understanding of the way that the various booking websites work is that they have already pre-paid or pre-booked their quota of 'room nights' a year ahead at a bulk price and the onus is on them to recoup their investment, which often means cutting their selling price. The hotel often cannot sell you the room because it's pre-sold. I stayed at the Peebles Hydro recently and attended the gin tour - a great stay experience, will be back.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Neil. The view from the Peebles Hydro looks stunning. Some day I will see that view.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks for your comment. I think it's important that we see your full comment, because there is something badly wrong here, in the hotel industry.

[@neilmckay8649]

@@echoview1500 can't find your full comment :-( my conclusion comes from observations, I'm not in the travel industry.