Abbey Court

About Abbey Court

Formerly the access to the bridge over the Tweed, this street was the primary entrance to the town from the south until the construction of the Kelso Bridge. The first bridge at this point was built by public subscription in 1756 and consisted of six arches. The mason who built the bridge. rather optimistically carved in Latin, the words "Good mason work lasts forever”. Unfortunately for him, the bridge was swept away during a flood in 1797. A replacement bridge (you'll see later) was opened six years later in 1803 on a slightly different line, bypassing Abbey Court.
High on the wall of Number 6, you can see a fire insurance plaque. This is a reminder of the days before there was a civil fire brigade. Then, private companies fought fire,. but only if the property displayed such a plaque indicating that the owner had taken out insurance with their company. A fire brigade of whatever sort would have been beneficial to the town in the mid 1680s when a large part of the town burned down due to an accidental fire and it almost happened again in the 1740s.
Across the road from Number 6, the wrought iron gates were at one time the main entrance to Ednam House.