Last weekend we spent a couple of days exploring the Scottish Borders, an area rich in ancient ruins.
But our first stop wasn't a ruin. We revisited
Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, which we first discovered a couple of years ago. The setting on the banks of the River Tweed near Galashiels is charming and you really can imagine him at his desk, writing his romantic tales.
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| Abbotsford |
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| The galleried bookcases in Sir Walter Scott's study |
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| More books in the library |
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| The gardens were full of colour |
From Abbotsford we followed the Tweed valley to
Melrose Abbey, a
Cicerstian abbey dating from 1146.
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| It's hard to imagine that this feat of engineering was built in the 12th century |
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| Melrose Abbey is noted for the beauty of its carved work and its ornaments |
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| Although ruined, parts of the abbey are largely intact |
Next on our tour was Dryburgh. We stayed overnight at the lovely Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, on the banks of the Tweed. We were upgraded to a suite which was a nice bonus!
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| Dryburgh Abbey Hotel |
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| The view from our window, towards the fast-flowing River Tweed |
The following morning, after a fine Scottish breakfast, we enjoyed walking around
Dryburgh Abbey. Unlike Melrose, which was founded by French monks, Dryburgh is of the
Premonstratensian Order and was was founded by monks originally from Xanten in Germany.
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| Dryburgh's remains are more fragmented |
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| The detailed ornaments were clearly a favourite with local stonemasons |
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| Who knows how this delicate window survived? |
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| An ornate archway |
After Dryburgh we followed the river a few more miles to
Kelso Abbey, founded in the 12th century by monks of the
Tironensian Order. A town grew up around the abbey so this is very different from the other abbeys' peaceful settings.
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| Only the west tower remains of Kelso's once magnificent abbey |
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| Despite the abbey's importance, the stonework is relatively crude |
Finally, and by now well into the afternoon, we left the Tweed valley and visited
Jedburgh Abbey. Also established in the 12th century, this is of the
Augustinian Order.
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| Jedburgh Abbey |
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| As with many of the nearby abbeys, the stonework is delicate |
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| The view down the long nave |
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| More delicate stonemasonry |
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| The abbey and its extensive grounds look down on the town of Jedburgh |
And so, having more than satisfied our
Ruin Lust, we headed back across the border and the short journey south to home.
From Abbotsford we followed the Tweed valley to Melrose Abbey, a Cicerstian abbey dating from 1146.
