Route: Melrose and Abbotsford Circular
Area: Scottish Borders
Date of walk: 30th April 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.5 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Sunny
The Scottish Borders are a new walking area for me and, as if to remind me what I’d been missing until now, displayed their beauty today in glorious sunny weather. The walk we followed would normally be started from Melrose, but we were based in Gattonside (at the wonderful Fauhope Country House) on the other side of the River Tweed, and so we parked the car by the nearby Chain Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge opened in 1826, and crossed over the Tweed to walk into Melrose
After a fascinating meander around ancient Melrose Abbey, where the heart (but not the body) of Robert the Bruce is buried, we made our way through the attractive town to the former Melrose Station. From here we followed the route of the old railway line along a daffodil lined path, with the Melrose bypass on our left. Beyond Darnick we left the path to follow a quiet country lane, which eventually brought us down to Abbotsford, the furthest point of the walk
Abbotsford is famous as the home of Sir Walter Scott. Having purchased a farm and some land in 1811 he gradually added to the estate over the years, and the house and gardens are now open to the public. We didn’t have time for a full visit, so contented ourselves with a short stroll around the walled garden before setting off on the return leg to Melrose
This final section was perhaps the highlight of the whole walk, as we followed a delightful path along the bank of the River Tweed which took us back into Melrose. On arriving back in the town we re-crossed the Chain Bridge to end a highly enjoyable walk, and a perfect introduction to the delights of the Scottish Borders
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The start of the walk from the Chain Bridge
We check that we can comply with the conditions of crossing...
...and over we go
The River Tweed from the bridge
Looking back to the bridge as we walk into Melrose
We pass by the War Memorial...
...and the parish church
We made a very worthwhile detour to visit Melrose Abbey and its atmospheric grounds
We climbed up a spiral staircase to enjoy this superb view
The stone memorial which marks the spot where the heart of Robert the Bruce was buried. His body lies elsewhere
A last view of the Abbey before we resume our walk
We reach the former railway station
The daffodil-lined path follows the route of the former railway line and takes us out of the town
Further along the route of the old railway line
The final section of the line before we turn off into the countryside
We follow a quiet country lane through Broomilees
View along the Tweed Valley towards Galashiels
Another view over the valley
The lane section is quite a lengthy one, but we encountered no traffic at all
We start the descent back to valley level and leave the lane here
Abbotsford, once the home of Sir Walter Scott
View of the house from the walled garden
Tulips in the walled garden
We descend through the grounds to the banks of the Tweed
Looking back up to Abbotsford
The start of the delightful return leg along the south bank of the River Tweed
River Tweed, Abbotsford
The Eildon Hills ahead, which we hope to climb tomorrow if the weather is fair
Meadow land as we approach Melrose
Views back along the Tweed...
The Chain Bridge comes into view again, and we re-cross it to end a wonderful walk
A few minutes later, the view from our room at Fauhope Country House B&B as we look over to the Eildon Hills, hoping that tomorrow's weather will be as good as today's
