Abbotsford House, Melrose etc

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A full day today of sightseeing, chatting and coffee drinking:-)  Having left the menfolk on the banks of the Tweed to chase their dreams, the "girls" went first to Jedburgh to admire the beautiful Abbey and other historic buildings.  We also took in Queen Mary's House (which she may - or may not  have visited!), a real treasure trove of interesting exhibits and information.

This was followed by a walk up the very steep hill to the site of the old castle, now long gone and replaced with the Castle Jail in 1823, another very well presented slice of history which gave a real feel of what a prisoner must have experienced while incarcerated there, often for the "crime" of stealing a turnip!  As well as reputedly being haunted, it is licensed for weddings - an odd choice of venue:-)  See extra photo.

After lunch at Harestanes Countryside Visitors' Centre and a look round several of the craft studios there, it was on to Melrose for a first visit to Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott.  The house has been extensively restored and opened again in 2013, with a visit from HM The Queen.  It gives a delightful glimpse of the private whimsy of one of Scotland's most famous authors, with its Scottish Baronial castle exterior and mix of old and new inside.  The audio tour equipment is "state of the art" and works a treat, adding lots of interesting information to a visit.

Sadly for the men, no salmon were caught, although plenty of fish were seen, but they had enjoyed the day anyway and it was rounded off by a delicious dinner at a local hostelry before wending our weary way home again late at night.