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Visiting the Border Abbeys

Build four breathtaking historic abbeys into the perfect Borders itinerary.

Abbey ruins with tower and long wall behind hedges and wildflower garden.

The abbeys of Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh and Kelso are among Scotland's most spectacular historic sites. Exploring these romantic ruins is a highlight of any trip to the Borders. Carry on reading to find out more about the four border abbeys and what makes them so special.

If you're feeling up a challenge, you could take on the 107km Borders Abbeys Way. 

Exterior of a historic stone building, reminiscent of an abbey. There are grave years in front of it, with grass surrounding.
A large, sandstone abbey featuring many empty archways where windows once would have been
Wide view of graveyard with abbey ruins in background under overcast sky.
A historical stone abbey. Much of the building has gone, such as ceilings and high walls, but the structure remains, with some parts in good condition. There are dark markings on some of the structure. It sits on a grass landscape with trees in the background.

Melrose Abbey

Melrose Abbey was founded by David I in 1136 as the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland. It was colonised by monks from Rievaulx in Yorkshire and dedicated in 1146.

The rare Chronicle of Melrose was most likely written here. Said to be Scotland's most important monastic chronicle, it provides us with insight into religious trends of the past. 

Subject to a number of English attacks, only a small part of the first abbey church survive today. The beautiful ruins which remain date largely to a rebuild in the late 1300s. They're one of the most impressive examples of medieval church architecture anywhere in the British Isles.

If that wasn't enough, Melrose Abbey is also home to the heart of Robert the Bruce. 

Visit Melrose Abbey

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.
Statue of a pig from below, attached to a stone wall. It has a bagpipe stout and is looking ahead.
The front of a historic stone building, with multiple columns and detailing. There is a large arch window with thin column and circular patterns within it. You can see the sky through it.
A large, stone historical abbey, in good condition. There is a graveyard in front of it, the ground has a light dusting of snow.
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.
Four large historical stone arches. One has columns within the arch, with some damage to it. There is a gardener with a helmet and tool in front of the arches, working on the ground. It is a sunny day.

Dryburgh Abbey

You can find the peaceful ruins of this Dryburgh Abbey in quiet and secluded woodlands by the River Tweed. 

Establish in 1150 by Premonstratensian canons, it later became the premier house of the French order in Scotland. 

Monastic life here was fairly quiet, Dryburgh never had the same level of prestige or influence as its neighboring abbeys. But did face four brutal attacks - the most famous was in 1322, when Edward II’s soldiers turned back to set fire to Dryburgh having heard its bells ringing as the English army retreated.

Today you can still see the domestic and spiritual homes of the brethren. Walking around the abbey and its grounds it's easy to appreciate the peace and calm that the monks valued. 

During your visit, look out for the final resting place of Sir Walter Scott, Field-Marshal Earl Haig and David Erskine.

Visit Dryburgh Abbey

The remains of a historic stone abbey. There is the corner of two walls with multiple arched door ways and windows across it, there are taller remains behind it. There is snow on the grass in front, though it is a sunny day with blue skies.
A wide and tall historical archway, connected to stone wall ruins, with a gap in the wall at the top. Through the arch, you can see a path with grass either side and trees in the distance.
A small gravestone, with an unusual and striking stone carving of a person holding an open book, with an animal above their head. It is a short gravestone, amongst grass. Sun shines on the gravestone.
Ruins of an old stone abbey stand among gravestones in a churchyard. Autumn trees are visible either side of the frame, and an urn stands visible in the centre.
A green landscape, filled with woodland trees and grass. In the top left, you can see the remains of a stone abbey, with some of the building missing and weathered.

Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh was already a site of religious significance for centuries before the Augustinians arrived in 1138, and David I founded a priory.

This priory was promoted to the status of an abbey in 1154.

David I was determined for the new abbey to showcase the power and authority he had over the land. As such, Jedburgh Abbey continues to stand out within the town and the rolling landscape that surrounds it. 

You can still find the mostly complete exterior of the abbey church itself, as well as lower walls of the cloister buildings. While you're here, take a look at the impressive carved stones fragments, including crosses and the Jedburgh Shrine - part of a richly carved stone sarcophagus. 

 Visit Jedburgh Abbey

Close-up of stone arches and columns lit by angled sunlight.
Long south wall with rows of arches and tower under pink evening sky.
A view from directly above Jedburgh Abbey, showing the abbey and extensive grounds and graveyard
View along nave from upper walkway with rows of arches and tower beyond.
Tall stone nave with pointed arches and clear sky visible through roofless structure.
Abbey ruins with tower and long wall behind hedges and wildflower garden.

Kelso Abbey

Kelso Abbey was founded in the 1100s, it is remembered as one of the largest and most wealthy religious houses in Scotland. 

Invited by King David I, Tironensian monks founded the Abbey near to David's castle in Roxburgh. 

Unfortunately due to it's precarious location by the English border, it was subject to a number of English invasions. A final attack in 1545 saw most of the abbey fall to ruins, except the fragment of the abbey church which you can still find today. 

There is currently no visitor access to Kelso Abbey due to high level masonry work.

How we're looking after sites like Kelso

Grassy graveyard with headstones leading to tall abbey ruins under cloudy sky.
A stone cross on the ground inside a historic abbey ruin
A triangular piece of stonework over an archway, featuring criss-cross decorative detail
Interior wall with arcaded arches and multiple tombstones on gravel floor.
Two stone archways in a historic abbey ground floor, with rows of smaller arches and columns on the floor above

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