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
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
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
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
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
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
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.