Melrose Travel Guide

Melrose lies in the valley of the River Tweed at the base of the Eildon Hills (the most distinctive landmark in the Scottish Borders). There are remains of a Roman 'signal' station - built over a previous Celtic fort - Trimontium (meaning the three hills'). The ruined Abbey was founded by King David I in 1136 and the casket said to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce was discovered here in the mid 1990s. In 1998, the casket was re-buried and a ceremony held to dedicate the reburial and stone tablet placed in the grounds as a memorial.

The site of a wonderful Roman fort discovered at nearby Newstead is the core of the Trimontium Exhibition in the Ormiston Institute in Melrose Town Square, which gives an extensive insight into the life of the Romans in the Scottish Borders.

The Abbey is the starting point for the St. Cuthbert's Way and the Four Abbeys Cycle Route. Adjacent to the Abbey is Priorwood Garden with an apple orchard, walk and picnic area and which specialises in plants suitable for dried flower arranging. Nearby the Harmony Garden has a magnificent view over the Abbey and Eildon Hills.

Activities/Facilities: Two 9-hole golf courses, horse-riding and activity programmes based on water, land and air. Melrose is also the birthplace, in 1883, of the famous Rugby 'Sevens' attended by enthusiasts from all over the world. At Leaderfoot, 2 miles East of the town, is the finest example of Victorian railway engineering with 19 arches spanning the River Tweed 123 feet above water level. Built in 1865, it ceased to be used around 100 years later.

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