Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

MELROSE 139A Walk Along the BordersIf you’re feeling particularly saintly, you can walk in the footstepsof 7th-century St. Cuthbert along the Scotland-England border. The101km (62-mile) path stretches from Melrose, 60km (37 miles) southwestof Edinburgh, across the border into northeast England to theHoly Island of Lindisfarne on the Northumberland coast. St. Cuthbertbegan his ministry in Melrose in about A.D. 650 and later wasappointed prior at Lindisfarne. The walk passes many places linkedto his legend, prehistoric relics, Roman ruins, and historic castles. Thehigh point is Wideopen Hill, 434m (1,430 ft.) above sea level. Permissionfrom landowners along the route has been obtained, and thewalk is clearly marked. A leaflet suggests distances you can comfortablycover in a day and makes recommendations for overnight stops.Contact Roger Smith, Walking Development Officer, Scottish BorderEnterprise Center, Bridge Street, Galashiels TB1 ISW (& 01896/758-991;fax 01896/758-625), for information.unknown. Look for the beautiful carvings and the tombs of other famous Scotsmenburied in the chancel.Abbey St. & 01896/822-562. Admission £3.50 ($5.60) adults, £2.50 ($4) seniors, £1.20 ($1.90) children.Apr–Sept daily 9:30am–6:30pm; Oct–Mar Mon–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm, Sun 2–4:30pm.Thirlestane Castle One of Scotland’s most imposing country houses,Thirlestane has been owned by the Lauderdale family since 1218. A T-shapedbuilding, the castle has a keep from around the end of the 16th century and wasmuch altered after Queen Victoria took the throne. The interior is known for itsornamental plaster ceilings, the finest in the country from the Restorationperiod. In the old nurseries is the Historic Toy Collection, and Border CountryLife exhibits depict life in the Borders from prehistoric times to the present.16km (10 miles) north of Melrose, overlooking Leader Water, about 1km ( 1 ⁄2 mile) from Lauder.& 01578/722-430. www.thirlestanecastle.co.uk. Admission £5.50 ($8.80) adults, £3 ($4.80) children, £15($24) families (2 adults and children). May 1–Oct 10 Sun–Fri 10:30am–4:30pm (last admission at 3:30pm).Closed late Oct–Mar. Take A68 to Lauder in Berwickshire, 16km (10 miles) north of Melrose and 45km(28 miles) south of Edinburgh on A68.Traquair House Dating from the 10th century, this is perhaps Scotland’soldest and most romantic house, rich in associations with Mary Queen of Scotsand the Jacobite uprisings. The great house is still lived in by the Stuarts ofTraquair. One of the most poignant exhibits is an ornately carved oak cradle inthe King’s Room, in which Mary rocked her infant son, who later become JamesVI of Scotland and James I of England. Other treasures here are glass, embroideries,silver, manuscripts, and paintings. Of particular interest is a brew houseequipped as it was 2 centuries ago and still used regularly. On the grounds arecraft workshops as well as a maze and woodland walks.Hwy. A72, 26km (16 miles) west of Melrose. & 01896/830-323. www.traquair.co.uk. Admission £5.60($8.95) adults, £5.30 ($8.50) seniors, £3.10 ($4.95) students/children, £16.50 ($26) families of 5. Easter–Mayand Sept–Oct Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 2–5pm; June–Aug daily 9:30am–5pm. Closed Nov–Easter.