Borders Abbeys Way - Melrose to Clintmains (Part 6)

Description

The town of Melrose sits at the foot of the Eildon Hills. The town is steeped in history, and at its centre is the magnificent ruin of Melrose Abbey. The River Tweed, famous for its salmon fishing, flows just outside the town, and to the east is the site of Trimontium, a major roman fort.

From Melrose Abbey, go up Abbey Street, then turn left onto the path at the end of the railings (Priorswalk). Follow this path, turning left after a bridge, to reach a housing estate. Go straight ahead for about 150 metres, and then turn left along a narrow path in front of a small row of houses.

Follow this path for 800 metres until reaching a road. Turn left, then right, up a track at the road junction. You are now at the edge of Newstead. The village was the home of the masons who built Melrose Abbey in the early 12th century and Priorswalk was their route between Newstead and the abbey.

Follow the track under the old railway bridge, through the subway under the bypass and up the slope, with Eildon Hill North to your right. When meeting the road, turn left, passing the site of the Eildon Tree and the Rhymer's Stone.  Thomas the Rhymer or Thomas of Ercildoune lived sometime between 1220 and 1297. He was thought to have the gift of prophecy and many of his predictions came true over the years. His Stone marks the reputed site of the Eildon Tree, from where he is believed to have delivered his prophecies.

Follow the road (the former main road between Melrose and Newtown St Boswells, but now closed to through traffic) for 2km to a junction at Newtown St Boswells.  Despite its name, a community was recorded at Newtown as long ago as 1529. The village used to be a major centre for milling the area's grain and the monks of Melrose Abbey used to bring their cereal to be ground here. When the railway came, the village became a centre for communication and livestock markets were started. 'The Mart' is still a major part of village life today.

Turn right, and using the pavement, follow the road into the village, passing the headquarters of Scottish Borders Council, a 1960s building that dominates the village, on your right. When reaching the Bank of Scotland building, turn left onto Tweedside Road to join St Cuthbert's Way.

In Newtown St Boswells at Tweedside Road, after 100m turn left between buildings to join St Cuthbert`s Way, follow the track, then a path down into Newtown Glen.  The deciduous woodland of Newtown Glen has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It supports a wide range of wildlife and has a marvellous array of flowers in the spring.

Climb the path to the right and follow it above the River Tweed, with excellent views over the valley. The path drops down to meet a road at Dryburgh Bridge. The bridge was built in the 20th century, replacing an earlier bridge by Capt. Samuel Brown, to allow Dryburgh villagers to cross the river.

Leaving St Cuthbert's Way, cross the bridge and follow the path, passing the Temple of the Muses on your left. The Temple features a modern statue in a refurbished model of a Greek pavilion, Erected by the Earl of Buchan.

Follow the road into the scattered but attractive village of Dryburgh, passing a large gateway on your left. This striking gateway was also built by Buchan, in memory of his parents and as the entry to his fourteen acre orchard, the walls of which can still be seen across the fields. At the junction, turn right towards Dryburgh Abbey.

This abbey was founded by the Premonstratensian Order in about 1150 under the patronage of Hugh de Morville, Constable of Scotland and Lord of Lauderdale. It was part of the abbey building programme approved by King David I. The abbey church was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, but has been severely quarried and little survives today.

The best preserved buildings are the east cloister range and include a 16th century Commendator`s House inserted into the canons` dormitory. Like all of the Border Abbeys, Dryburgh was devastated on various occasions by English forces, including 1322, 1385, 1544, and 1545. By the 17th century, the building had ceased to function as a working abbey. Much of the current village of Dryburgh was developed by David Stuart Erskine, the 11th Earl of Buchan. He also rescued the remains of the abbey from a local farmer who was using it as a source of stone. The abbey grounds are the burial place of Sir Walter Scott and Field Marshal Earl Haig.

From Dryburgh Abbey, follow the track to the left of Dryburgh House Lodge and past the toilets. After 150m turn left and follow a path that comes out alongside the Tweed. Walk along the riverside, and continue with a field on your left. At the end of the field, leave the riverside, walking uphill through a small woodland. Look out for a view of Mertoun Bridge. On reaching a field, go along the right-hand edge of the field to a gateway. Follow the track up past Mertoun Cemetery to a road. Turn right and pass carefully along the road, through the hamlet of Clintmains to meet a main road. Across the road is the driveway to Mertoun House and Gardens. The Gardens are open to the public at weekends during the summer.

Access Info

There is a bus service between Melrose and Kelso that also meets the Borders Abbeys Way at Newtown St Boswells and at the main road near Clintmains (Munro's service 67).

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