Southern Scotland - Scotland - page 284

Melrose Information Centre ( 01896-822283; www.visitscottishborders.com ; Abbey
St; 10am-4pm Mon-Sat, noon-4pm Sun Apr-Oct) Located by the abbey.

Getting There & Away

First buses run to/from Edinburgh (£6 . 80, 2¼ hours, hourly) via Peebles. Change in
Galashiels (20 minutes) for more frequent Edinburgh services and for other Borders des-
tinations.

Around Melrose
In the vicinity of Melrose are a couple of excellent attractions intimately connected with
Sir Walter Scott.

Sights

Dryburgh Abbey
(HS; www.historic-scotland.gov.uk ; adult/child £5/3; 9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep,
9.30am-4.30pm Oct-Mar) This is the most beautiful and complete of the Border abbeys,
partly because the neighbouring town of Dryburgh no longer exists (another victim of the
wars) and partly because it has a lovely site in a sheltered valley by the River Tweed, ac-
companied only by a symphony of birdsong. The abbey conjures up images of 12th-cen-
tury monastic life more successfully than its counterparts in nearby towns. Dating from
about 1150, it belonged to the Premonstratensians, a religious order founded in France.
The pink-hued stone ruins were chosen as the burial place for Sir Walter Scott.
The abbey is 5 miles southeast of Melrose on the B6404, which passes the famous
Scott's View overlooking the valley. You can hike there along the southern bank of the
River Tweed, or take a bus to the nearby village of Newtown St Boswells.

RUINS

Abbotsford
( www.scottsabbotsford.co.uk ; adult/child £8/4; 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 9.30am-5pm Sun
Jun-Sep, 11am-4pm Sun Mar-Oct) Fans of Sir Walter Scott should visit this, his former
residence. The inspiration he drew from the surrounding 'wild' countryside influenced
many of his most famous works. A collection of Scott memorabilia is on display, includ-
ing many personal possessions. At time of research a new visitor centre was being built.

HISTORIC HOUSE