Melrose

About 4 km/2.5 miles to the east of Melrose, lying within a loop of the River Tweed, is Old Melrose where St. Aidan founded a monastery c.650.

To the northeast of Market Square, following Abbey Street, are the remains of Melrose Abbey.

The Waverley Castle Hotel was built on the sight of a battle, known as Skirmish Field, that took place in 1526 between Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm and Douglas, Earl of Angus. The former was defeated in his attempt to free James V who the Red Douglas had in Edinburgh Castle.

A local chaplain was believed, after his death, to have walked by night and suck the blood from his victims. Monks of the abbey were asked to deal with this and they caught and burned the vampire.

See our bookshop in association with amazon.co.uk!

Tourist Information

Advert