The Abbey

The original Melrose Abbey was founded by the Cistercian Order - their first in Scotland - in 1136, and by the end of that century was prospering as Scotland's greatest exporter of wool. The English largely destroyed it in 1385, but work commenced soon after to build the new abbey that we see today, dating mainly from the fifteenth century. It is regarded as the best expression in Scotland of late mediaeval religious architecture. Though now roofless, its tracery was clearly very fine, and that of the south transept is the most complete (this is the east end).

Sadly, today the famous carving of the bagpipe-playing pig was almost completely obscured by scaffolding. Even without its pig, one cannot failed to be moved by the abbey's stark grandeur.

There are some more shots of Melrose Abbey here.


Nikon D800 + 24-85 zoom + tripod