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Above Characterful Abbotsford House, once
home to Sir Walter Scott Above top right
Floors Castle, still home to the Duke of
Roxburghe Above right Ruined stone
archway of 12th-century Kelso AbbeyWHERE TO STAYAROUND KELSO
The Roxburghe Hotel expensive
Staying at the Roxburgh is a real treat. It’s
a little way south of Kelso, just off the
A698. This imposing historic house has
real fires in winter and is set in extensive
grounds. As well as luxurious rooms and
suites, the hotel also boasts its own golf
course and a fine, candlelit restaurant.
Heiton, TD5 8JZ; 01573 450 331;
http://www.roxburghe.net
AROUND ABBOTSFORD
Sunnybrae Guest House inexpensive
There are two suites at this friendly guest
house in Selkirk. Each has a sitting room,
as well as a bathroom, and there are fine
views of the surrounding hills. Breakfast
features organic, local produce.
5 Tower St, Selkirk, TD7 4LS; 01750 21156VISITING KELSO
Parking
If there are no spaces on the square,
there are several small car parks nearby,
just off the B6461 in Bowmont St, East
Bowmont St and Jamieson’s Entry.
Tourist Information
Town House, The Square, TD5 7HF;
01835 863 170; http://www.visitscotland.com5 Kelso
Roxburghshire; TD5
Kelso is a handsome town on the River
Tweed. Near the main square are the
ruins of 12th-century Kelso Abbey,
once one of Scotland’s richest abbeys,
still with traces of beautifully carved
stonework. On the edge of town is
Floors Castle (Easter–Oct: open daily;
http://www.floorscastle.com), a grand stately
home (1721) set in vast grounds and
still home to the Duke of Roxburghe.
The sumptuous rooms boast vibrant
tapestries and paintings by masters
such as Turner, Gainsborough and
Hogarth. Golfers may want to try the
Roxburgh Hotel Golf Course (see left).
ª Leave on A6089 towards Edinburgh,
exit left onto B6397, then turn left on
B6404. Turn right on B6356 through
Clintmains and then left to Dryburgh
Abbey and car park.BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £1506 Dryburgh Abbey
St Boswells, Melrose; TD6 ORQ
Founded in the 11th century and built
in soft red sandstone, Dryburgh Abbey
(open daily) was frequently damaged in
the Border wars between the Scots
and the English. However, its beauty is
still evident, making for a delightful
stroll around the ruins: the refectory’s
ornate rose window, for example, is still
intact. Two famous Scots are buried
here: the historical romance writer Sir
Walter Scott, and WWI commander
Field-Marshal Earl Haig. Their graves are
in the ruined north transept chapel.
ª Take B6356 marked Earlston up to
Scott’s View, with views of the Eildon
Hills. Beyond, turn left and left again at
two unmarked junctions and onto
B6360. Pass under a viaduct, through
Gattonside and turn left on B6374. Go
right towards A7 and A68, straight over
roundabout onto A6091, then left on
B6360 to Abbotsford and car park.7 Abbotsford
Melrose; TD6 9BQ
There’s more than a touch of drama
about Abbotsford (mid-Mar–Oct: open
daily; http://www.scottabbotsford.co.uk), which
is not surprising as it was the home of
19th-century novelist Sir WalterThe Common Ridings
The Borders were once lawless: there
were wars with England and “reivers”
(cattle thieves) plagued the area. So,
around the 13th century, people had
to patrol their land on horseback.
Over the years, this evolved into the
annual Common Ridings, where a
man carrying the local flag gallops
around the town’s boundaries,
followed by hundreds of riders. In
summer, each Border town has its
own spectacular Common Riding.Below The pretty gardens at 15th-century
Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin