Melrose

About Melrose

The picturesque town of Melrose is located next to the River Tweed at foot of the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills; a distinctive landmark of the Scottish Borders. The area around Melrose is thought to have been inhabited for thousands of years with the Romans arriving in AD79 or 80 and building a fort nearby named Trimontium; 'Place of the Three Hills’. The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre houses the Trimontium Museum which is dedicated to Roman life in Scotland.

Ruined Melrose Abbey dates from 1136. A casket discovered believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce was marked by a re-burial ceremony and commemorative stone tablet. The town grew up around the present site of the Abbey. In the late Middle Ages, its name was represented by a mell (a mason's hammer) and a rose for the Virgin Mary, to whom all Cistercian abbeys were dedicated. The Abbey fell into ruin after the Reformation but is still a great site to go and see.

The town is also the home or rugby sevens and hosts the renowned Melrose Sevens in spring. The first tournament took place in 1883 and the event is known internationally, which regularly attracts teams from places such as New Zealand, South Africa, England, France and Portugal.

Melrose is wellknown for holding many great annual events. Such as the the week-long Melrose Festival, the Borders Book Festival, the annual Eildon Two Hills Race and the Melrose Pipe Band Championships, attracting pipers from all over the world.