Melrose Abbey in Scotland is a perfect day trip from Edinburgh. It is only an hour by car to get to these historic ruins. You can do it in conjunction with Abbotsford House as the two sites are about 10 minutes apart.
What is Melrose Abbey?
Once a home and a place of worship, Melrose Abbey is now in ruins. King David of Scotland built the abbey in 1136, and monks from York moved there to create a home. However, only a few hundred years later – the English burned the Abbey, causing the surviving monks to flee North.
Getting to Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey is only 1 hour driving from Edinburgh, if you have access to a rental car. There are also local tour operators that offer day trips & half day trips to Melrose and other historical places in the area (such as Abbotsford House & Rosslyn Chapel).
History of Melrose Abbey
King Robert the Bruce aided in the restoration to rebuild Melrose Abbey. His heart is said to be buried there. (Yes, you read that right – his heart, not his body). He was one of Scotland’s greatest warriors and led them into the first war for Scottish independence against the English.
In 1560, at the peak of the reformation, the abbey (and surrounding town) were bombarded by English cannons. The affects of this attack are what you see today when you visit the Abbey. In its prime, Melrose Abbey was home to over 120 monks, who lived and worked there.
Tickets to Melrose Abbey
It costs only 6 euros to enter and comes with an audio guide that walks you through the ruins, explaining what everything once was. To view more information on entrance fees and times, check out this link here: Melrose Abbey.
I found Melrose Abbey in Scotland to be incredibly moving. It is sad to see what war and religious differences can do to people. Although only the bones of the cathedral and abbey still stand, it’s easy to imagine what this place looked like in all it’s glory.
Cheers, Amanda
