Melrose

Linda and I went down to Melrose yesterday for lunch. It's not far from Peebles and is a very attractive small town lying in the shadow of the three peaks of the Eildon Hills. There are several folk tales about the Eildons, one being that a great wizard called Michael Scott cleaved the hill into three during a fight with the devil. Another relates to the burial place of King Arthur. The hill is in fact an extinct volcano.

The town grew up around the 12th century abbey, one of the Scottish Borders' four abbeys with a long and impressive history. It was reputed to be the burial place of the heart of Robert the Bruce, and in fact, a few years ago during work being carried out, a lead casket was unearthed which is believed to be the actual burial vessel. It was reburied once the work was completed, and the spot is now marked with a monument. The Abbey is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public on most days of the year.

The name Melrose comes from the ancient Brythonic language, a language that was similar to old Welsh, commonly used in this part of the country in prehistoric times. Gradually as English became more widespread this language was pushed further and further south till it evolved into the language of Wales - as similarly Gaelic was more widely used in central Scotland but was pushed back to the north till it became the language of the highlands and islands.

There was a Roman camp near the town too in the first century AD. Called Trimontium after the three hills of Eildon it was, as one website has it, the Roman HQ of Southern Scotland. All roads led to Trimontium! Excavations brought to light some extremely interesting pieces of Roman remains - armour, jewellery, coins..... that gave an excellent insight into the Roman occupation of the camp. A museum opened in Melrose to tell the story, with some artifacts displayed there, though other pieces are to be found in the museum in Edinburgh.

Today the main part of the town lies around the square (above) - recently revamped to give a better flow of traffic and an attractive pedestrian area with benches, and tubs of colourful flowers.

There are many individual little shops including a butcher, baker, fishmonger and greengrocer.... as well as fabulous specialist shops selling clothes, books, crafts, gifts, household goods, etc. There are galleries such as the Art shop and gallery - where I bought some paints in anticipation of a class starting in Peebles tomorrow, taught by Joe Maxwell Stuart, whose paintings I like very much, you may remember - and several very pleasant cafes and restaurants, including the one where we had lunch. It also boasts a small theatre, the Wynd, and used also to have a Teddy Bear Museum until the proprietor retired a few years ago!

It was very enjoyable just wandering, browsing the shops, and nooks and crannies of the town. Just looking at the advertisement posters on notice boards throughout the town, you realise that a lot goes on there. It's a lively and busy community! I'd say it would be a nice place to live in. However, I'm now a Peeblean - if not actually a Gutterbluid (native), then a well established Stooriefit (incomer), - and in Peebles I plan to remain. I love Peebles, but Melrose comes a close second!

Talk again soon.