Melrose
The Town
For a property buyer seeking peace, quiet and uncrowded landscapes, Melrose may well fit the bill. Our Recoco buying agent will delight in introducing the property search options of this charming town, where distinctive red sandstone buildings stand out against the green of the Eildon Hills. In a 2018 Sunday Times poll, Melrose was named as the best place to live in Scotland; our property buying agent can supply details. As our property search company can confirm, Berwick-upon-Tweed is the nearest large town, with Edinburgh under 38 miles away; ask our real estate buyers agent for details.
Transport
The town lies on the A6091 main road, six miles east of Galashiels. The nearest railway station is Tweedbank, about two and a half miles away by road. Edinburgh trains take around an hour from here.
History
The hills have evidently been occupied for centuries; our real estate buyers agent can confirm nearby remains of a large Iron Age fort, likely to have had about 6,000 residents.
In around 79CE, the Romans arrived at nearby Newstead, and called their fort Trimontium, or, as our Recoco property finder will happily translate, “Place of the Three Hills”.
Our property buying agent can help you picture the long and tempestuous history of the area. The borders were attacked regularly during the Scottish Wars of Independence and by Henry VIII’s men in the 1540s. In the 16th and 17th centuries the Borders were something of a byword for lawlessness - ask your Recoco buying agent for more on the history.
By the nineteenth century, as buyers agents will tell you, authors like Sir Walter Scott had romanticised the area. Our property buying agent can confirm the ruined abbey, founded by King David I in 1136, is particularly famous.
Education
If schools are an important factor in your property search, check out Melrose Primary School or Tweedbank Primary School in Galashiels. St Mary’s Independent School takes pupils from age 2 to 13, and Longridge Towers in Berwick-upon-Tweed caters for children from 3 to 18.
Leisure and Events
Ask our real estate buyers agent about the spring festival atmosphere that surrounds the Melrose Sevens (first played in 1883). Our Recoco property finder can explain the game: seven players per side play two seven minute halves. Other local events include the Borders Book Festival and the Melrose Festival.
If you’re a property buyer who enjoys gardens, our property search company may mention two local walled gardens. Ask our buyers agents about Harmony Garden, with spectacular views over the hills and the Abbey. Our Recoco buying agent may also suggest you visit Priorwood Garden, in the former abbey precinct, with its beautiful apple orchard and the only dedicated dried flower garden in Scotland.
Sir Walter Scott’s house, Abbotsford, is around 3 miles to the west. Queen Victoria stayed here on her first Scottish trip, and Balmoral Castle was later remodelled in the same Scottish Baronial style.
The Eildon Hills are especially popular with walkers; ask your buyers agents about routes, including St Cuthbert’s Way, ending at Holy Island or Lindisfarne off the Northumbrian coast, 62 miles later. Alternatively, head back to ancient Rome at the Trimontium Museum.
Celebrity Connections
As well as Sir Walter Scott, other famous locals include Douglas Haig, who founded the British Legion.
Or ask our property search company about the other-worldly tale of 13th century laird Thomas the Rhymer, said to consort with the Queen of the Fairies by the Eildon Tree. The tale has a touch of Rip van Winkle: some legends say the Faerie Queen took him into her realm for seven years. On his return, some said he could only tell the truth; others said he’d gained the gift of prophecy. If you’d like to visit the tree, or the stone, ask your Recoco property buyer for directions.
Foodies’ Corner
For local dining, our Recoco property finder may mention the delightfully named Provender, serving the best local fare from land and sea, from Northumberland to Inverness. Or savour traditional family recipes at Italian Monte Cassino; informal bistro eats at Marmions; or café fare at Apples for Jam. Traditional pubs more to your liking? Head for the Ship Inn (great range of gins, beer garden, and dog and family friendly) or enjoy a bar meal, high tea, or a la carte restaurant options at the Kings Arms.
Fun Fact
For a slightly quirky property search break, and a glimpse of medieval humour, check out the carvings in the abbey – they include one of a pig playing the bagpipes.