Jedburgh

United_Kingdom

Jedburgh (pronounced "Jed-bur-uh") is a town in the Borders region of southern Scotland, population 4,100. Jedburgh is best known for the remains of Jedburgh Abbey and its historical associations as a border town, located a mere 10 miles from the border with England.

  • Jedburgh Abbey, Abbey Bridge End TD8 6JQ, +44 1835 863925. Apr-Sept daily 09:30-17:30, Oct-Mar daily 10:00-16:00. This ruined but still-imposing abbey was founded in 1138 and was a frequent target for invading English armies. There is a cloister and herb garden, and a visitor centre containing 8th century carvings and artefacts excavated from the abbey grounds. Adult £6.
  • Mary Queen of Scots House, Queen St Jedburgh TD8 6EN. Mar-Nov M-Sa 09:30-16:30, Su 10:30-16:00. 16th C tower house. In 1566 Mary QoS stayed here, and made a long excursion to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell out at Hermitage Castle. On return she was taken seriously ill, the cause isn't clear, but she eventually recovered and returned to Edinburgh. There are "Mary QoS slept here" sites all over Scotland, but that was normal for a peripatetic medieval ruler, especially one with multiple enemies that she needed to stay ahead of. Free.
  • Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum, Castlegate TD8 6AS. Mar-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 13:00-16:00. The castle was demolished in 1409, but rebuilt as a prison in 1823. Wander round a recreated 1820s prison and see town history in the governor's house. Free.
  • Ferniehirst Castle, two miles south of town on A68, occasionally hires out for functions but isn't normally open to the public.

Jedburgh Abbey, Abbey Bridge End TD8 6JQ, +44 1835 863925. Apr-Sept daily 09:30-17:30, Oct-Mar daily 10:00-16:00. This ruined but still-imposing abbey was founded in 1138 and was a frequent target for invading English armies. There is a cloister and herb garden, and a visitor centre containing 8th century carvings and artefacts excavated from the abbey grounds. Adult £6.

Mary Queen of Scots House, Queen St Jedburgh TD8 6EN. Mar-Nov M-Sa 09:30-16:30, Su 10:30-16:00. 16th C tower house. In 1566 Mary QoS stayed here, and made a long excursion to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell out at Hermitage Castle. On return she was taken seriously ill, the cause isn't clear, but she eventually recovered and returned to Edinburgh. There are "Mary QoS slept here" sites all over Scotland, but that was normal for a peripatetic medieval ruler, especially one with multiple enemies that she needed to stay ahead of. Free.

Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum, Castlegate TD8 6AS. Mar-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 13:00-16:00. The castle was demolished in 1409, but rebuilt as a prison in 1823. Wander round a recreated 1820s prison and see town history in the governor's house. Free.

  • Mounthooley is a golf driving range 3 miles north of town on A698 towards Kelso. With restaurant "Caddy Mann" and small guest house.
  • Watch rugby union at Jedforest, who play in Scottish National League Division One. This is the second tier of Scottish rugby, where the players are amateurs fitting in a day-job, though many from here have gone on to international fame. Jedforest Sevens are held in May: the next is probably Sat 16 May 2020 but tbc. The home pitch is on A68 at the north edge of town.
  • Jedburgh Border Games are held here, usually second Saturday in July. The next event is tbc but probably Sat 11 July 2020.

Watch rugby union at Jedforest, who play in Scottish National League Division One. This is the second tier of Scottish rugby, where the players are amateurs fitting in a day-job, though many from here have gone on to international fame. Jedforest Sevens are held in May: the next is probably Sat 16 May 2020 but tbc. The home pitch is on A68 at the north edge of town.

Jedburgh Border Games are held here, usually second Saturday in July. The next event is tbc but probably Sat 11 July 2020.

  • Edinburgh Woollen Mill is north end of town on the main road.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill is north end of town on the main road.

The Forresters Restaurant SB, 23 Castle Gate, +44 1835 862380.

The Caddy Mann, Mounthooly, +44 1835 850787.

Born in the Borders is a brewery, gin micro-distillery and cafe / restaurant at Lanton Mill Cottage, Jedburgh TD8 6ST. It's off A698 between Jedburgh and Hawick, prominently signposted. It's open daily 10:00-17:00; lunch served 12:00-15:00. They also have outlet shops at Tweedbank and Galashiels railway stations.

  • A few miles north up A68 is Melrose and St Boswells / Dryburgh, with two ruined abbeys and the grand Abbotsford House. Further north, cross Soutra Moor and head for Edinburgh.
  • Branch northeast on A698 to Kelso, with another abbey (so that's your full set of four) and Floors Castle. Then follow the border via Coldstream, Norham Castle and Paxton House to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
  • Take A698 west to Hawick, and bimble along A7 the old road between Edinburgh and Carlisle.
  • Roads south cross into England, the main route being A68 / A696 towards Newcastle. A scenic minor road B6357 branches off just south of town, wandering via Bonchester Bridge and Newcastleton eventually to meet A7 at Canonbie.