Museums, archives and heritage in Roxburghshire

Roxburghshire, inland county, in S. of Scotland, bounded N. by Berwickshire, NE. and SE. by Northumberland and Cumberland, SW. by Dumfriesshire, and NW. by Selkirkshire and Edinburghshire; greatest length, N. and S., 42 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 30 miles; area, 425,657 acres, population 53,442. The main body of the county, or three-fourths of the whole area, belongs to the basin of the Teviot; hence the general name of Teviotdale is sometimes used for Roxburghshire. The upper portions of Teviotdale and its tributary vales, rising by gently sloping and well rounded ridges from the banks of the streams to the watershed of the Cheviots, are chiefly bare and pastoral, but the lower portions consist of rich and well wooded valleys. Every vale abounds in rich and lovely scenery, and there is scarcely a spot without some interesting historical association. The principal streams which flow to the Teviot are the Borthwick, Ale, Slitrig, Rule, Jed, Oxnam, and Kale. The Liddel joins the Esk before it enters the Solway Firth. Farming is the great industry, and is in a highly advanced state. The woollen manufacture is extensively carried on at Hawick. The county comprises 29 parishes, with parts of 6 others, and the parliamentary burgh of Hawick (part of the Hawick Burghs).

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Abbotsford House

Abbotsford

Melrose TD6 9BQ

01896 752043

www.melrose.bordernet.co.uk/abbotsford

Abbotsford is the house built and lived in by Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist, and author of timeless classics such as Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. In 1811 Sir Walter bought the property which was to become Abbotsford, set in the heart of the Scottish Borders, on the banks of the River Tweed.

Borders Family History Society

30 Elliot Road

Jedburgh TD8 6HN

www.bordersfhs.org.uk

Borders FHS promotes genealogy and family history in the counties of Roxburghshire, Berwickshire, Selkirkshire and Peeblesshire in SE Scotland.

Drumlanrig’s Tower

1 Tower Knowe

Hawick TD9 9EN

01450 377615

goo.gl/Zkze3d

Drumlanrig’s Tower was originally a 16th century stone L-plan tower house, founded by the Douglas family. Of three storeys and a garret, the basement in the main block was vaulted and the hall stood on the first floor.

Dryburgh Abbey – Historic Scotland

Dryburgh Abbey

near St Boswells TD6 0RQ

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

Dryburgh sits by the Tweed River. Its remarkably complete medieval ruins makes it easy to appreciate the attractions of monastic life.

Friends of Kelso Museum

c/o The Secretary, c/o Maxwellheugh Cottage, Jedburgh Road

Kelso TD5 8AZ

01573 224753

goo.gl/153RX2

The Friends of Kelso Museum continue to work towards the re-establishment of a Museum in Kelso. The Friends promote eight public lectures on local history themes, four in November and four in March.

Harmony Garden

St Mary’s Road

Melrose TD6 9LJ

0844 493 2251

www.nts.org.uk/Property/Harmony-Garden

Elegant Regency town house available as a holiday let, set within three acre walled garden which is open to the public.

Hawick Museum & the Scott Art Gallery

Wilton Lodge Park

Hawick TD9 7JL

01450 373457

goo.gl/WGZsBV

Discover passionate collectors, racing legends, famous painters and local history in a historic house within a beautiful Victorian park. There is always something new to see with a lively programme of changing art and museum exhibitions throughout the year.

Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum

Castlegate

Jedburgh TD8 6QD

01835 864750

goo.gl/BCY8lG

Jedburgh Castle Jail gives visitors a taste of what life was like in an 1820s prison, whilst also telling the story of the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh. The main building of Jedburgh Castle Jail is home to the museum collection of the town of Jedburgh, focusing on traditions, industries and important individuals of this historic Scottish town.

Mary Queen of Scots’ House & Visitor Centre

Queen Street

Jedburgh TD8 6EN

01835 863331

goo.gl/7zgy1S

This fine example of a 16th century bastel house is set in a beautiful garden of pear trees. Displays tell the story of Scotland’s tragic queen.

Melrose Abbey – Historic Scotland

Melrose Abbey

Melrose TD6 9LG

01896 822562

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

One of Scotland’s most famous ruins, the abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, it was largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are largely of the early 15th century.

Scottish Borders Archive & Local History Centre

Heritage Hub, Heart of Hawick, Kirkstile

Hawick TD9 0AE

01450 360699

www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/428/archives

Find out about the resources available to find out about local and family history in the Scottish Borders.

Trimontium Museum

c/o D Gordon, Cockleroi, Newstead

Melrose TD6 9DE

01896 822651

www.trimontium.org.uk/wb/pages/museum.php

The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre housing the Trimontium Museum, is based in The Ormiston, The Square, Melrose and tells the story of a Roman frontier post and its people.