In this portion of our web guide, we will be focusing on the Scottish town of Melrose.
Melrose is situated in the center of the Scottish Borders region of Scotland, which is a region in southern Scotland that lies along its border with England. The Scottish Borders region is known as a picturesque area characterized by rolling hills, historic towns, and a rich cultural heritage.
The Borders region has a fascinating history shaped by centuries of conflict, trade, and cultural exchange. During the Middle Ages, it was a contested area between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England. The region witnessed battles, raids, and the construction of border abbeys, such as Melrose Abbey, as centers of religious and economic activity.
The Scottish Borders region is dotted with medieval abbeys that reflect the region's religious past. These include Jedburgh Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, and Kelso Abbey. Several castles still stand as reminders of the area's turbulent history. These include Hermitage Castle, Traquair House, and Thirlestane Castle.
The original Melrose was called Mailros, which meant "the bare peninsula" in Old Welsh, and was a reference to a neck of land by the River Tweed, several miles east of the current town site. In the 6th century, a monastery associated with Saint Cuthbert was founded there. The monastery and settlement, later known as Old Melrose," were abandoned by the 12th century.
In 1136, King David I of Scotland wanted to create a new Cistercian monastery there, but the monks preferred a site further west that was then known as Fordel. Melrose Abbey was founded in 1136, and the town of Melrose grew around it. The abbey's name was represented by a mell (a mason's hammer) and a rose (symbolizing the Virgin Mary), to whom all Cistercian abbeys were dedicated.
Melrose Abbey fell into ruin after the Scottish Reformation, although the structure remains. Several Scottish nobles are buried there, and a casket believed to contain the heart of King Robert the Bruce was discovered, and reburied in the abbey. Currently, the abbey ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland, and are open to the public for an entrance fee.
Nearby attractions include the Roman fort of Trimontium, as well as Abbotsford House, once the home of Sir Walter Scott, and Dryburgh Abbey, where Scott was buried.
Melrose is the birthplace of Rugby Sevens, a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players playing seven-minute halves, rather than the usual fifteen players playing forty-minute halves. The Melrose Sevens are held by the Melrose Rugby Club at the Greenyards in Melrose, and is the oldest rugby sevens competition in the world.
The Melrose Golf Club is a nine-hole golf course situated on the edge of town, and the Melrose Cricket Club is situated next to Borders General Hospital at Huntlyburn.
Melrose hosts several events throughout the year, including the annual Eldon Two Hills Race and the Melrose Pipe Band Championships, attracting people from around the world.
King Arthur, the legendary king of Britain, is reportedly buried in the Eldon Hills overlooking Melrose.
Topics related to the town of Melrose, Scottish Borders, are appropriate resources for this section of our guide. These may include online resources for government agencies and departments located in the town, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, medical facilities, attractions, and events.
Recommended Resources
Bowden & Melrose Parish Church
Claiming origins in Old Melrose, two and a half miles from its current location, and the site of a Celtic monastery around 640 AD, the new Parish Church was opened on the current site in 1810. Destroyed by fire in 1908, only the tower was incorporated into the current building, dedicated in 1911. The church's history, leadership structure, location, and worship schedules are featured on the website, along with a church magazine, weekly news, an archive, and a gallery of photographs.
https://bowdenandmelrosechurch.org/
Located on Market Square in Melrose, Scotland, the hotel offers individually styled rooms, an award-winning restaurant, and a bistro bar stocking an extensive wine list and a selection of Scottish whiskies. Free parking and WiFi are provided, and its location is near Melrose Abbey, the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre, the Gallery, and the Leaderfoot Viaduct. Special offers and events are highlighted, online bookings are enabled, and an online enquiry form can be used for further information.
https://www.burtshotel.co.uk/
Grange Hall Residential & Nursing Care
Constructed in the 1800s, Grange Hall is a Scottish Baronial Mansion, specializing in caring for frail older people, featuring a professional team committed to providing a high standard of professional nursing care. The facility employs a team of qualified nurses, supervisors, and carers who provide twenty-four-hour personal care, and providing residential, nursing, and dementia care. The accommodations are well-appointed rooms, single or double, some with en-suite facilities.
https://www.grangehallcarehome.com/
A Scottish Episcopal Church within the Diocese of Edinburgh, Holy Trinity was originally a chapel, built and consecrated in 1849 on the site of the current building. In 1900, the chapel was enlarged into a church. Its history, service schedules, notices, and a history of the church is set forth, along with its policies on baptisms and weddings, leadership and administrative contacts, a map, and an online enquiry form. Also included is a gallery of photographs and various documents.
https://www.holytrinitymelrose.org/
Meeting each Thursday at 6:30 in the George & Abbotsford Hotel in Melrose, Scotland, the facilities are wheelchair-accessible, and further information can be requested via telephone or email, both of which are provided on the Rotary Club's website. Other resources include club news and announcements, galleries of photographs showing past events, activities, and projects of the club, as well as a calendar of events, and the gardens at Tweedbank Station, which are maintained by the club.
https://melroserotaryclub.weebly.com/
Established in 2004, the Melrose Paths Group is made up of volunteers from the local communities around Melrose, and is the driving force behind the town of Melrose receiving "Walkers Are Welcome" status in 2010, a scheme that promotes towns and communities as walker-friendly, and aimed to benefit local economies by attracting tourism. A booklet is available from local organisations and shops showing walking paths around Melrose, and contacts are included.
https://walkmelrose.org.uk/
Station Hotel, Restaurant & Bar
The historic town of Melrose is in the centre of the idyllic Scottish Borders region and is home to attractions such as Melrose Abbey, walled gardens, and the Melrose Sevens rugby tournament. The Station Hotel has en suite rooms in a town-centre location, and its restaurant offers home cooking at a reasonable price. The family-operated hotel includes a small meeting space and a public bar and lounge serving coffee and light snacks, while the restaurant serves a more fulfilling meal.
https://stationhotelmelrose.com/
Trimontium is the largest Roman fort and settlement north of Hadrian's Wall, and the site of one of the greatest concentrations of Roman military-related finds in the British Isles. The fort and settlement comprised a military-civilian complex that included a fort, four annexes, field systems, a bridge crossing the River Tweed, and roads, shrines, and a cemetery. Volunteer opportunities, hours, and ticket information are included here, along with a calendar of events and an online shop.
https://www.trimontium.co.uk/
Situated on five acres between the Eildon Hills and the River Tweed, the Waverley Castle Hotel offers en suite rooms, and the Eildon Restaurant is on-site, and additional bars, restaurants, and shops are within a mile in the village of Melrose, Scotland. Several photographs are provided, along with reviews and guest testimonials. Room choices include standard double rooms, standard twin rooms, and standard single rooms. Details, rates, and conditions are included.
https://thewaverleycastle.scot-hotel.com/
