Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Attractive Jedburgh, where many old buildings and wynds (narrow alleys) have been in-
telligently restored, invites exploration by foot. It's constantly busy with domestic tourists,
but wander into some of the pretty side streets and you could hear a pin drop.
Sights
Jedburgh Abbey
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
; Abbey Rd; adult/child £5.50/3.30; 9.30am-5.30pm
Apr-Sep, 9.30am-4.30pm Oct-Mar)
Dominating the town skyline, Jedburgh Abbey was
the first of the great Border abbeys to be passed into state care, and it shows - audio and
visual presentations telling the abbey's story are scattered throughout the carefully pre-
served ruins (good for the kids). The red-sandstone ruins are roofless but relatively intact,
and the ingenuity of the master mason can be seen in some of the rich (if somewhat faded)
stone carvings in the nave. The abbey was founded in 1138 by David I as a priory for
Augustinian canons.
RUINS
HISTORIC HOUSE
Mary, Queen of Scots House
(Queen St; 10am-4.30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-4.30pm Sun Mar-Nov)
Mary stayed at this
beautiful 16th-century tower house in 1566 after her famous ride to visit the injured earl
of Bothwell, her future husband, at Hermitage Castle. The interesting displays evoke the
sad saga of Mary's life.
Activities
The tourist office sells some handy walking booklets for walks around the town, including
sections of the
Southern Upland Way
or
Borders Abbeys Way
.
Festivals & Events
Jethart Callant's Festival
(
www.jethartcallantsfestival.com
)
For two weeks from late June this cavalcade recalls the
perilous time when people rode out on horseback checking for English incursions.
CULTURAL
