Abbotsford and Dryburgh

This is night No.101/2019 living un my caravan. It's also the 3rd night at Melrose C&MC Site. The weather again was very wet overnight, but just light rain when we went out for our first walk down to the Tweed at around 0700.

After getting a shower, indulged myself with a quick fry-up. Was planning to walk this off today as there were a few places I had in mind to visit.

After breakfast, headed the short 5 minute drive to Abottsford Estate, the former home of Sir Walter Scott. A really nice walk leads from the carpark for the visitor centre down to the banks of the Tweed. Part of the route is on the Borders Abbey Way, a long distance walk.

Passed the humungous Abbotsford House. It has been extended a few times over its life, but this is probably one of the grandest houses in Scotland.

The route passed the house, through the woods and across the main road leading into another fine wood. A really enjoyable hour or so.

From here, we headed east towards Dryburgh. A really nice stretch of road here with a few reasons to stop. The first was 'Scotts View' over the Eildon Hills and the River Tweed.

Further along the road, parked up and walked through a fine wood to the William Wallace statue. This monument is huge, the figure is maybe 10 to 15 feet high and stands on a high viewpoint over the Eildon Hills.

A very impressive structure.

Continued on our journey to Dryburgh. Not really a village, more a scattering of houses, this one was very grand. It is in the grounds of Dryburgh Abbey.

I couldn't get a good view of the Abbey, and I've always wanted to visit it. It's the only Borders Abbey I haven't visited. Checked online, and took the plunge, and joined Historic Scotland. They have a very good offer to join at the moment (10% off for Direct Debit membership), and the monthly cost was less than £5. It is typically £6 to visit a property.

It is a fantastic set of ruins.

I was not aware that Earl Haig (he of the Poppies) is buried here, his gravestone being a simple one, identical to those who died during WW1.

Also buried here is Sir Walter Scott. Again, had no idea that this is where he was buried!

Some really interesting spaces remain at the Abbey.

The stonework on this gable was quite something.

An impressive doorway, the sign described that the original facing stone had been 'robbed' after the Abbey was abandoned.

This room was almost intact. What made it extremely impressive was that 'gregorian' music was being played and the shape of the ceiling made it impossible for me to locate the speakers!

Later in the afternoon, took the dogs on a riverbank walk towards the Chain Bridge.

The Tweed was in full flood with all the recent rain.

Great day of walking, despite it being a touch drizzly at times.