Melrose Abbey "Be halde to ye hende"

Melrose Abbey.

Translated meaning (Keep in mind, the end, your salvation) it is inscribed on one of the Abbey stairways and is an inscription from a Master Mason, John Morow, which has now become the motto of Melrose.

Melrose Abbey cloisters.

Old ruins of Melrose Abbey.

Despite the inclement weather we had to get out and about to investigate the last Scottish town on our tour. Melrose Abbey is the biggest attraction being visible for quite a long way. From the Abbey we followed signs to a Chain link bridge not really knowing what we might find. When we eventually found the bridge it transpired that the bridge had been built by Redpath Brown & Co , Edinburgh in 1826 and was refurbished by the same company in 1928. It has since been refurbished again in 1991 by an unknown establishment.

Chainlink Bridge over the River Tweed between Melrose and Gattonside. Built 1826.

Looks like someone's waiting for me

The bridge crosses the River Tweed to Gattonside where we found a fishing clubs clubrooms. As there were several men hanging around I thought I might go and have a chat with them about the local fishing. As I approached I could see one of the men wearing plus fours and the usual clothing that goes with them and I might have guessed that these were not your average fisherman. Sure enough, when I spoke to one of the crowd assembled I got the distinct feeling that I was not in the same league as these guys, so I cut the visit short.

Melrose market square and the Mercat Cross.

No, not a clock maker but the local Physician and Surgeon who died in 1892. Erected by Grateful patients.

Back in town we had to take shelter from a torrential downpour which only lasted about ten minutes, then we headed off to find the old railway station building.

We were sheltering in a doorway when this was taken. A Heavy downpour.

Home of the Haggis in Melrose.

This magnificent Jacobean style building is one of the few remain links with the old Waverley Line between Carlisle and Edinburgh which closed in 1969. The station building and the Up line canopy were saved and restored back in 1986 but the remainder disappeared under the A6091 town bypass. The platform canopy is now getting to the stage of needing a lot of TLC before it gets beyond the state of restoration.

Melrose ex railway station closed in 1969. This was the Down platform. The A6091 now covers the Up platform.

Melrose ex railway station closed in 1969. Train don't call here any more.