Introduction

Tonight, I am posting information on the Borders town of Melrose (pop 2500) following a recent visit.

Melrose Abbey

Information on Melrose

The name has Old Norse and Gaelic roots which translate as ‘Bare Moor’.

Location is 38 miles south of Edinburgh and 64 miles north of Carlisle in England.

The town is a popular tourist destination where key focus is on the romantic, ruined abbey situated in the town centre.

I have visited the abbey many times in the past but this time I had the opportunity to explore further.

I travelled down via rail with final leg being the recently reinstated Borders Railway which terminates at nearby Tweedbank. This is a wonderful trip through rolling hills, the River Tweed and it’s smaller tributaries with the landscape mainly populated by sheep.

Railway opening in 2015

End of the line at Tweedbank

On arrival, I explored the local pathways and sites as illustrated in the images below.

Market Square

Image of River Tweed

River Tweed at sunset

Eildon Hills from Melrose Chain Bridge

Eildon Hill North

Chain Bridge over the River Tweed

Black Sheep

The video clip and images below were taken the following day (yesterday) from various vantage points along the St. Cuthbert’s Way and atop Eildon Hill North (1385 feet).

View of Rugby Pitch. Rugby has a strong following in this part of the country.

Landscape north of Melrose

Eildon Hills looking south

Landscape view of disused Leaderfoot Viaduct, east of Melrose

View from St. Cuthbert’s Way

Horse with rider cantering along St. Cuthbert’s Way

Video clip of Melrose and environs

Refreshment time at Melrose

More information for the visitor

For more information on Scottish landscapes, history and sightseeing in Scotland please refer to the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.