Destinations > Scotland > Scottish Borders

Scottish Borders

The area between Edinburgh and the border with England is one of Scotland's least visited regions. This is partly because of poor transport, but mostly because most travellers bypass the Borders in order to spend more time in the Highlands and cities.

Jedburgh

This agreeable town 21km south of Melrose is home to the splendid Jedburgh Abbey and several other attractions.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Murray's Green, Jedburgh TD8 6BE

Tel (0870) 6080404

Website www.discovertheborders.co.uk

Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

Coming & Going

Munro's of Jedburgh (tel (01835) 862253; website www.munrosofjedburgh.sageweb.co.uk) bus 29 runs hourly between Jedburgh and Edinburgh.

Sights

Jedburgh Abbey

Founded by David I in 1138, the superb Jedburgh Abbey is built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Several important artefacts, including the ivory Jedburgh Comb, have been unearthed here.

Abbey Bridgend, Jedburgh

Tel (01835) 863 925

Admission £3.50 (£2.50 students)

Open Apr-Sep 9.30am-6pm daily

Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum

This 19th century prison features displays of local history and prison life.

Castlegate, Jedburgh

Tel (01450) 373457

Admission £2

Open Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-4.45pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Mary, Queen of Scots Visitors' Centre

A 16th century bastel house is home to exhibits about Mary, Queen of Scots, who visited Jedburgh in 1566.

Queen Street, Jedburgh

Tel (01835) 863331

Admission £3

Open Mar-Nov Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-4.30pm

Melrose

This enchanting town is one of the nicer places in the Scottish Borders. Melrose Abbey is the major attraction and Dryburgh Abbey and Thirlestane Castle are just a short distance away.

There is a SYHA hostel here, which makes it the only interesting town in the Borders with a hostel.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Abbey House, Abbey Street, Melrose

Tel (0870) 6080404

Website www.discovertheborders.co.uk

Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

Accommodation

Melrose SYHA

Priorwood, Melrose TD6 9EF
Tel 0870 004 1141

Sights

IN MELROSE

Melrose Abbey

Dating from 1136, this Gothic abbey is famous throughout Scotland for its elegance and also as the home of Robert the Bruce's embalmed heart.

Abbey Street, Melrose

Tel (01896) 822562

Admission £3.50 (£2.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm); Apr-Sep 9.30am-6.30pm daily (last entry 6pm); Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm)

Trimontium Exhibition

The Trimontium Exhibition is a small museum that explains the region's Roman history.

Market Square, Melrose

Tel (01896) 822651

Website www.trimontium.freeserve.co.uk/exhibition.html

Admission £1.50

Open Apr-Oct 10.30am-4.30pm

AROUND MELROSE

Abbotsford House

The former home of 19th century author Sir Walter Scott has a collection of Scott memorabilia and exhibits of other memorabilia that include Rob Roy's gun.

5km west of Melrose

Tel (01896) 752043

Admission £4.50

Open 15 Mar-31 May Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 9.30am-5pm; Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm

Dryburgh Abbey

This beautiful abbey, 11km south east of Melrose, is a fascinating place to visit. In addition to substantial ruins, the Abbey's grounds are the burial place of Field Marshall Earl Haig and Sir Walter Scott.

B6356, St Boswells

Tel (01835) 822381

Admission £3

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun 2pm-4.30pm (last entry 4pm); Apr-Sep 9.30am-6.30pm daily (last entry 6pm); Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun 2pm-4.30pm (last entry 4pm)