BORDERS |
| Abbey St Bathans |
Off B6355, 10 miles north of Duns |
Bronze Age people, Picts, Celts and early Christians
have all been settlers in this valley between the Lammermuir Hills and the sea. Today the
traces of hill-forts, hut settlements and a Pictish broch survive in a woodland setting.
The abbey itself was destroyed by Henry VIII's forces, but its church survives. |
| Abbotsford |
Off A7, 2 miles east of Galashiels |
In 1822 a farmhouse named Cartely Hall was knocked down
and a mansion with turrets, battlements and a gateway fit for a castle was built in its
place. In the entrance hall and armoury of Abbotsford is a fine collection of arms and
armour as well as a number of notable paintings hung around the house. Other historical
artifacts include Rob Roy's broadsword and dagger, Robert Burn's tumbler and Bonnie Prince
Charlie's drinking cup. |
| Bowhill |
Off A708, 3 miles west of Selkirk |
This Georgian house is set in beautiful woodland and is
the Border home of the Dukes of Buccleuch. The house contains rich furnishings and fine
paintings including works by Canaletto, Gainsborough and Reynolds. Outside there are two
woodland nature trails. |
| Coldstream Museum |
Market Square, Coldstream |
This museum honours the feats of the Coldstream Guards
and was their headquarters in 1659. 'The Coldstreamers' get their name from the troops led
by General Monck who braved the cold of winter with a cheerful spirit. After Cromwell's
death Monck marched his men south, retoring order and paving the way for the restoration
of Charles II. One floor of the museum is devoted to local history which include relics
from a flour mill, a Victorian kitchen and a collection of agricultural machinery. |
| Dryburgh Abbey |
On B6356, 1 mile north of St Boswells |
Two famous Scotsmen lie buried among the ruins of
Dryburgh: the writer Sir Walter Scott and Field-Marshall Earl Haig, commander of the
British Army in France during the First World War. Built around 1150 by the White Canons,
the abbey has in ruins since the 16th century when it was burnt down by a raiding party
from across the Border. Arches and doorways are still visible in the ruins of the abbey
church, and the west wall of the refectory still has the framework of a rose window. |
| Floors Castle |
Off A6089, 1 mile north of Kelso |
Originally the castle was a plain Georgian country
house built for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in the 1720s. In the 1840s the 6th Duke turned
Floors into the castle of his dreams with turrets, domes and clustered chimneys. The
ballroom and dining room contain fine porcelain and French furniture whilst the drawing
room contain two magnificent tapestries. These is also a collection of stuffed birds,
parasols and a model of the castle made in icing sugar and matchsticks in 1851. Outside is
a beautiful walled garden. |
| Halliwell's House Museum |
Halliwell's Close, Market Place, Selkirk |
This museum has a reconstruction of an ironmonger's
shop in Edwardian times. The shelvers are stocked with every tool or gadget a housewife,
handyman or country gentleman could have needed. Ironmongers lived and sold their wares in
Halliwell's Close for more than 150 years. The museum also has displays on the turbulent
history of the ancient Royal Burgh of Selkirk. |
| Hermitage Castle |
Off B6399, 15 miles south of Hawick |
Hermitage Castle has kept watch over miles of
surrounding moorland for five centuries. A 14th century tower built by the Douglases still
survises, but round it are four massive towers with connecting walls. It was to Hermitage
that Mary, Queen of Scots rode 25 miles to from Jedburgh to see the wounded Bothwell, her
lover and later her third husband. |
| Jedburgh Abbey |
In centre of Jedburgh |
This abbey built of red standstone has survived a
turbulant history to maintain its place as one of Scotlands most beautiful buildings.
Founded by King David I in 1138, the abbey,being so close to the English border was the
target of much sacking and pillaging over the years. Even so, parts of it were still being
used for worship in Victorian times. When a new church was founded in 1875 the remains of
the abbey were restored. |
| Kelso Abbey |
Bridge Street, Kelso |
Founded in 1128 for monks from Chartres, the abbey was
built in the form of a double cross surmounted by twin towers. Inside it had 12 alters and
was divided by a transverse wall to create an area at the back for the chanting monks. The
abbey was largely destroyed in the 16th century, but sizable sections have survived. |
| Manderston |
Off A6105, 2 miles east of Duns |
In 1901 this 18th centry country house was rebuilt
using extravagant Edwardian craftmanship and fine materials. The ballroom contains Louis
XVi-style furniture upholstered in primrose and white the racing colours of Sir James
Miller, the houses owner. Miller's equine interests are further reflected in the stables
with their teak stalls, brass halter rings and marble floor. Visitors can also walk
through the 56 acre garden. |
| Mellerstrain House |
Off A6089, 7 miles north-west of Kelso |
The beautiful Adam ceilings coloured in delicate
pastels and with decorative white stucco are an outstanding feature of this Georgian
mansion built in 1770 for the Baillie family. Busts of Lady Grisell Baillie and her
daughter complement the ceiling and fireplace and classical friezework of the library. The
decor throughout the house is set off with fine 18th century furniture and
paintings by artists such as Gainsborough and Allan Ramsey. |
| Melrose Abbey |
Main Square, Melrose |
Melrose Abbey was rebuilt in the late 14th
century upon the ruins of a 12th century structure. The ornamented wall arcades
of the cloister are richly carved with berries, flowers and the clam-shell emblem of St
James. Carvings around the doorway include a kneeling figure with clasped hands and angels
playing musical instruments. A visitors centre has displays of the abbey’s history. |
| Neidpath Castle |
On A72, 1 mile west of Peebles |
The massive towers of Neidpath Castle rise from a rock
high above the tweed valley. Built as a laird’s stronghold in the 14th
century, the castle was converted into a more comfortable home in the 17th
century. Much of the medieval character still remains including massive walls and a pit
prison. |
| Smailholm Tower |
Off B6404, 7 miles west of Kelso |
Located on a crag with a drop on three sides this
lonely tower was built in the 15th century as a fortified farmhouse. The top
story has a wall-walk wait a seat for a watchman. The tower stands five storeys high, with
7ft walls but even so the land it protected was ravaged by English raiders. |
| Thirlestane Castle |
Off A68 at Lauder |
Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress, the
castle was remodelled in the 17th century and its extravagant appearance was
further augmented in Victorian times. Inside, garlands of leaves, flowers, fruit and
musical instruments cascade from the plasterwork ceilings of the two drawing rooms and the
dining room ceiling is patterned in white and gold. In the south wing, the Border Country
Life Exhibition includes a recreation of a gamekeeper’s hut and a country
tailor’s shop. The castle also has attractive gardens. |
| Traquair House |
Off B709, 1 mile south of Innerleithen |
At the end of the approach to Traquair house is a set
of gates that have not been opened since 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through
them, never to return, and the Earl of Traquair swore that they would remain closed until
the Stuarts regained the throne of England. The rooms of the house are filled with
paintings, embroideries and other historic treasures of the Royal House of Scotland. |
