The historic town of Eyemouth, 5 miles north of the border with England, boasts a natural harbour and fine coastal scenery.

Fishing at Eyemouth dates back to the 13th century and the harbour is still active with its colourful fleet. Like other coastal communities in the 18th century, smuggling was rife amidst the clusters of houses, narrow wynds, caves and underground tunnels. The solitary mansion of Gunsgreen House on the south side of the harbour was at the centre of this illicit trade in wine, spirits, tea and tobacco. It has been a visitor attraction since 2009.

In the 19th century the industry flourished on the basis of haddock and herring fishing, but the port suffered a devastating blow on the 14th October 1881. A storm wrecked the fishing fleet and 189 fishermen, 129 from Eyemouth alone, were drowned, many within sight of the shore. The local museum illustrates the town's history, with a 15-ft tapestry commemorating the disaster.

Highlights of the town's calendar are the Herring Queen Festival in July and the Lifeboat Weekend in August. The popular Berwickshire Coastal Path passes through Eyemouth en-route from Berwick to St Abbs

​

The Conservation Area in Eyemouth includes the entire town centre, the harbour and a considerable part of the coast.

Eyemouth is Scotland’s second largest inshore fishing port and typifies 18th century harbour front development however, there has been a harbour here since the 12th century.

The remains of a series of fortifications from prehistoric times to the 20th century are situated in the most northerly part of the Conservation Area.

The Conservation Area retains many of the distinctive townscape characteristics that are only found within a Scottish coastal town such as Eyemouth. These include the harbour and a considerable part of the coast.

A number of villa-style properties along the west side of Victoria Road form an attractive entrance leading to the town centre, along with the many good examples of traditional architecture (particularly the Burgh Chambers, Gunsgreen House and the terraces along Paxton Terrace and Armitage Street).

The traditional layout of Harbour Road, the High Street and the Market Place are also important features. The Town’s Harbour is, in particular, essential to the character of the place.

The coast is an additional element to the townscape quality along with the coastal walk and the Marine Parade.

Properties range from single storey to three, and three and a half storeys along the Harbour Road.

Any new development must therefore aim to contribute to the existing character of the Conservation Area. Also included within the Conservation Area is retail and other commercial properties, any alterations to these should seek to respect the individual building and the wider Conservation Area.

Within the amended Eyemouth Conservation Area there are 64 listed properties including two of category ‘A’