Melrose, The Rhymer's Stone and Trimontium

Mark Tracey Keiran and Kerris Douglas

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Melrose is one of the most beautiful small towns in the south of Scotland, lying at the foot of the Scottish Borders' most famous natural landmark, The Eildon Hills.

The walk starts outside the gates of Melrose Abbey, founded in the 12th Century by King David 1 and one of the finest ruined abbeys in the country. Within the grounds of Melrose Abbey lies the heart of King Robert the Bruce, buried there at his own request in the 14th Century.

The walk rises onto the foothills of the Eildon Hills, the site of an Iron Age Fort and a Roman signal station and where in legend King Arthur and his knights lie sleeping within. After enjoying magnificent views of the Border countryside, the walk drops down to the Rhymer's Stone, where legend tells us that in 1400 a local soothsayer Thomas the Rhymer met the Queen of the Fairies and was transported to Elfland for seven years. There are interpretation boards on the route of the walk to explain more of this legend!

From the Rhymer's Stone, the walk drops down again to reach Trimontium, site of one of the Romans' largest and most powerful forts in Scotland. Though little of the fort remains to the naked eye, there are many interpretation boards around the boundary of the site to advise on what would have been one of the most northerly strongholds of the Roman Empire.

Scotland - South Scotland - Scottish Borders - Southern Uplands

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Cafe, Church, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife
6/6/2010 - Jacqueline Coulson

We did this walk on 5 May 2010. It was delightful: full of interest and history. The views were worth the effort of the initial climb. And we actually met the Queen of the Fairies - she was sitting outside a cafe opposite Melrose Abbey and told us which direction to take. She must have been a fairy as we met her again half way through the walk. She was waiting for a bus to take her back to Melrose and spoke to us again. A magical walk!

2/15/2008 - Michael and Marian Vaughn

Walked this on a recent short break to Melrose. Wonderful views and, in fact, though moderate, we found it easier than the easy walk no. 3626 as, although we were ankle deep in red clay coming down there were no edges and sheer drops. We also found the trail with all the information about the Trimontium Fort extremely interesting. Must come back another time and actually detour to the summit.