HES has announced that there will be further access to Jedburgh Abbey with more areas of the site now open following high-level masonry inspections and essential conservation work.
The Abbey Church is once again open to visitors, who can enter through the east processional door to explore this iconic abbey established in the Scottish Borders in the 1100s. Visitors can once again walk down the Lothian Aisle and Nave, taking in the unique mix of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture of the building. The Stone Museum, which houses artefacts from the site’s past, has also re-opened its doors.
The grounds remain open to explore, allowing visitors to see the remains of ancillary buildings where the brethren ate and slept, and the vast kitchen and cellar ranges. There is also the opportunity to walk in the recreated cloister garden and reflect on life in the medieval abbey. Some exceptional early Christian artefacts, which pre-date the abbey by several centuries, are on display in the visitor centre.
Stuart Holmes, Regional Visitor and Community Manager for South Region at Historic Environment Scotland, who operate the Abbey said:
The abbey has played a key role in Scotland’s history and that of the Borders for over 900 years. Its intricate stonework has faced many aggressors with its most recent challenges, being accelerated by climate change. Following a programme of inspections and essential conservation work we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from the local community and beyond back into the heart of the Abbey to explore even more of its fascinating history.
Some restrictions remain in place with the viewing gallery remaining closed whilst further high-level masonry inspections are carried out.
The High-Level Masonry Programme is the result of ongoing risk assessment and sample surveys and assesses the impact of climate change on sites as well as the scale of deterioration caused by a number of other factors, including the materials used in the building’s construction, its age and physical location. Whilst this is not an issue unique to Scotland, HES is believed to be amongst the first heritage managers to approach it in this way, with the results shared with peer organisations.
More information about the high-level masonry programme can be found on the Historic Environment Scotland blog.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
- View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.
Follow HES
X: @HistEnvScot | @welovehistory
Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotland
Instagram: @HistEnvScot | @historicscotland
Blog
LinkedIn
For further information, please contact:
Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot