Three Border Abbeys

Stately ruins and a fairy palace

Kelso – approximately 11 miles from the hotel

Kelso Abbey wad founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland. It belonged to the Tironensian Order and was built to an unusual plan with two great towers. What remains today of what was once the greatest of the Border abbeys can be visited at any time. The monastery was destroyed by an English army in 1545.

Kelso has the feel of a French market town, with its spacious cobbled square and Town House built in 1816.

Floors Castle, on the northern outskirts of Kelso, is the home of the Duke of Roxburghe. It was described by Sir Walter Scott as a palace fit for the fairy queen Titania and is said to have one window for each day in the year. The castle and gardens are open to the public in the summer months.

Dryburgh – approximately 20 miles from the hotel

Sir Walter Scott lies buried in Dryburgh Abbey, which is located in a peaceful wooded setting beside the River Tweed. It was established in 1150 by Premonastratensian canons. The abbey ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland and are open at advertised times throughout the year.

Not far away is Scott’s View. From the parking places beside the B6356 to the north of Dryburgh there is a panoramic view across a horseshoe bend of the Tweed towards the tree peaks of the Eildon Hills. This was Sir Walter’s favourite view and it is said that on the day of his funeral in 1832, the horses pulling the hearse stopped automatically at the spot as they took his coffin to Dryburgh

Bruce's heart

Melrose – approximately 25 miles from the hotel

Visitors to Melrose Abbey will see the spot where the heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried. Melrose was a Cistercian house and the ruined remains follow the distinctive pattern for that Order, with two sets of buildings - one for the monks and the other for the lay brethren who also lived and worked in the monastery. The impressive ruins feature some fascinating sculptures, carved in the distinctive soft red sandstone of the area. The abbey is a Historic Scotland property and is open throughout the year.