Discover Melrose: Abbey, Gardens and Eildon Hills

Melrose combines the history of its abbey with Roman heritage, rugby, gardens and paths through the Eildon Hills landscape. If you’re looking for a hotel in Melrose, these varied themes can help you plan your stay around your interests: you can focus on the town’s history, explore gardens or make a route the centrepiece of your visit.

Abbey, medieval artefacts and rugby history

Melrose Abbey was founded by David I in 1136 as Scotland’s first Cistercian monastery. Robert the Bruce is also linked to the abbey: he chose it as the final resting place for his heart. The Commendator’s House Museum at Melrose Abbey displays medieval artefacts from the cloister. The story of the abbey’s founding, the memory of Robert the Bruce and the artefacts on display offer different ways to explore the abbey’s history.

Another part of the town’s history leads to rugby. Rugby Sevens was first played at the Greenyards ground in Melrose in 1883. Alongside its historic links with the abbey, Melrose therefore has a direct connection with the origins of this form of rugby. Those interested in sports history will find a distinct focus here, separate from the history of the monastery and the Middle Ages.

Roman history in Melrose

The Trimontium Museum in Melrose explores the invasions of Scotland by the Roman Empire and the interactions between the local population and the legions. The focus is therefore not only on the Roman presence, but also on exchange with the local population. Trimontium Fort is one of the largest and most archaeologically significant Roman forts north of Hadrian’s Wall. Together, these subjects offer a different historical perspective from the medieval artefacts in the abbey cloister.

Historic gardens with distinct features

Priorwood Garden lies in the old precinct of Melrose Abbey, opposite the Abbey Car Park. The walled garden includes a historic orchard and flower beds. More than 70 historic apple varieties are grown organically in the orchard. Historically, Priorwood was Scotland’s only garden devoted to growing flowers for drying. Its heritage fruit growing and dried-flower tradition give the garden two distinct horticultural associations.

Harmony Garden is in Melrose town centre, opposite the abbey. One part of the garden contains vegetable beds and a fruit cage. The beds are surrounded by level paths made of gravel and wood chips. Compared with Priorwood’s historic orchard and dried-flower tradition, this part of the garden has a different emphasis. The two gardens can be understood through their respective features without reducing them to the same type of garden.

Paths between Melrose and the Eildon Hills

The St Cuthbert’s Way starts in Melrose and heads roughly east through several historic settlements. It crosses the border into England and ends in Lindisfarne (Holy Island). The Eildon Hills Path follows a different route: it starts and finishes at the Abbey Car Park on Buccleuch Street and is 4 miles (6.5 km) long. These details distinguish a cross-border route from a path with named start and end points and a stated length.

The summit of North Hill offers walkers views along the Eildon Hills Path. Nearly 300 Bronze Age hut platforms also survive on North Hill. These archaeological traces add a glimpse of earlier human use to the landscape. There is evidence that prehistoric people regarded the Eildon Hills as a sacred place; this remains explicitly a possible interpretation. The Eildon Hills are part of the Eildon and Leader foot National Scenic Area.

Discover more destinations: Eyemouth, Clovenfords, Buccleuch, Lilliesleaf, Roxburgh, Ednam, Kelso, Gordon

For the wider travel overview: The Scottish Borders.