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Melrose Abbey

Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire
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Discover a place so beloved by Robert the Bruce, he chose it as the final resting place for his heart. Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale, and it was a highly desirable place to be buried.

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David I founded Melrose Abbey, Scotland’s first Cistercian monastery in 1136. Being so close to the border, it suffered at English hands during the Middle Ages.

Rebuilt in the 1380s, it was used as an abbey until the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Afterwards, the existing monks were allowed to stay on: the last died in 1590.

A tidy garden with squares of colourful flower patches. In the background is a tall historical building with large arches.
A large, stone historical abbey, in good condition. There is a graveyard in front of it, the ground has a light dusting of snow.
Large trees and bushes stand in front of part of a historical building, which is in the shape of an arch. There is detailing on the arch and you can see through the pttern. There are blue skies in the background.

As you admire the graceful architecture of the abbey church, among Britain’s finest church architecture of the late 1300s, make sure you spot the famous bagpipe-playing Melrose pig. In the chapter house, look out for the small memorial on the spot where a heart believed to be that of Robert the Bruce is buried.

Join a talk

At 2.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday you can join one of our expert talks to learn more about a variety of topics including Robert the Bruce, Old Melrose, St Cuthbert, David I, Alexander II and the Black Douglases. Talks are approximately 20 minutes and are included in the admission price.

Statue of a pig from below, attached to a stone wall. It has a bagpipe stout and is looking ahead.
The famous bagpiping Melrose pig
Two people walking down stairs of a historical building outside, they are holding onto the stair railings. You can't see the stairs, as a historic stone wall is in front, parts of the stone is weathered.

Enjoy the Melrose Abbey audio guide!

Our expert audio guide works on your own device and is included in the ticket price.
Our audio guides
Aerial view of a large stone historical building which resembles a church or abbey. There is a graveyard next to it, as well as green fields with trees surround them more widely. In the top right there is also a car park with housing.
A living room with soft beige walls, two teal sofas opposite each other, a small footstool in the middle and a large, decorative cast iron fireplace

A historic stay beside Melrose Abbey

Cloister House, with direct views of the magnificent Melrose Abbey, is available as one of our special holiday lets.
Holiday lets

Ready for an adventure?

Use a Membership or Explorer Pass to discover centuries of Scottish history and heritage, all while saving money and supporting our work.

Membership

Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters

Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events

Two adults, holding hands with two young children, walk through a graveyard, with historical stone ruins in the background. It is a sunny day.
  • Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
  • Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
  • Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
  • Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man
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Explorer Pass

Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing

Valid for 14 consecutive days

A family walking across a grassy lawn with the New Abbey Corn Mill building in the background.
  • Valid for 14 consecutive days
  • Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
  • 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
  • Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online
Buy now View details