Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Introduction to Dryburgh Walk
The Dryburgh Walk along the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders is a must-do if you find yourself in the area.
Sights along Dryburgh Walk
Dryburgh Abbey
Dryburgh Abbey, commonly known as Dryburgh Abbey Church, is a ruined abbey in the Scottish Borders, Scotland. Towards the north of Melrose and to the east of St. Boswells, in the valley of the Tweed, you’ll find it.
Dryburgh Abbey was built in 1150 by the Lord High Constable of Scotland, Hugh de Morville. King David awarded him this territory on the Tweed, which was consecrated to St Mary and All Saints. There were more than a hundred monks living there at one point, and six churches. Long tracts of land in both Lothian and Midlothian were given to the founding community. However, they ultimately fell to Dryburgh’s chief adversaries at Melrose Abbey. However, additional religious buildings built around its church, notably Kelso Abbey. At first Kelso Abbey was more of a cell or dependent residence, but it eventually became its own foundation and chose its own abbot.
The Temple of Muses
The Temple of the Muses is one of Scotland’s most romantic and evocative places. This summer residence at Dryburgh Abbey was erected by Robert Adam between 1787 and 1791. Still, it has become a vital feature of St Boswell’s environment.
It is a modest, classical temple with four columns that hold up a triangular roof. Authors buried at the adjacent Dryburgh Abbey are honoured inside with bright marble plaques. There are also several stunning sculptures inside – notably one of the goddess Pallas Athene holding up her shield – which provides for fantastic picture possibilities!
The River Tweed
The Tweed is a river that runs across the southern part of Scotland. The Cheviot Hills are where its waters first emerge, and it runs for approximately 50 miles (80 km) until merging with the River Tweed in Berwick-upon-Tweed, marking a section of the boundary between Scotland and England. The river goes through various towns and villages, including Peebles, Innerleithen, St Boswells, and Dryburgh Abbey. It also goes through scenic landscapes, including Tummel Valley Park and John Muir Country Park.
The river is famed among visitors and fishermen who fish for salmon or trout on its banks during their fall migration upriver from sea lochs off central Scotland to spawn in freshwater. Several canoeing businesses provide excursions along this portion of the river.
St Boswells
St. Boswells, named after the nearby River Tweed, has been inhabited since the 12th century. The town formerly flourished as a hub for the wool industry, but now it draws more visitors due to its picturesque setting.
Dryburgh
Founded in 1150 by Richard de Morville, Dryburgh Abbey is a defunct Cistercian abbey. Saints John the Evangelist and the Blessed Virgin Mary were honoured with the building of this monastery.
Once a landmark, the huge towers that stand in their place today were constructed in 1372 after a fire destroyed the old structure. This enormous tower was originally one of two Dryburgh towers constructed from the red sandstone quarried right here in the area. At 80 feet in height, it has 5-foot thick walls.
Prior to King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of Monasteries Act of 1560, the monastery had been inhabited by monks.
Mertoun Bridge
After a previous bridge was washed away by floods, the Earl of Mar constructed Mertoun Bridge in 1705. The Earl commissioned craftspeople from Fife to build a toll bridge for him.
It took two years, 400 trees, and £800 (almost £30 million now) to construct this edifice, thus a lot of hard work went into it.
The Mertoun Bridge Tollhouse
Formerly located in St. Boswells, the Mertoun Bridge Tollhouse was where tolls were collected from bridge users. It also served as a library, a school, and a jail!
One of the oldest tollhouses still standing in Scotland is the one at Mertoun Bridge. Lord Home commissioned its construction in 1450 as a tollhouse for travellers crossing the River Tweed. Over 500 years after its initial construction, this stone structure is as as beautiful as it was on day one.
Travelers have long flocked to the region surrounding the Mertoun Bridge Tollhouse because it serves as a safe haven from both severe weather and criminals. At the same time, they used this strategic Tweed River crossing to enter either Roxburghshire or Berwickshire.
Mertoun Mill
The Mertoun family constructed Mertoun Mill in the 1600s for the purpose of milling maize. As luck would have it, it bears their namesake. While it is presently located in Roslin Glen, its original name was Nether-Roslin Mill, and it was located near Edinburgh. Mertoun Mill’s age is unknown with certainty, however reports of a mill at that location date back to 1273.
Our tour guide informed me that this mill is one of just three remaining 17th-century mills in Scotland, so it’s fortunate that at least a portion of the original structure has survived.
Route Map
Wildlife on the Dryburgh Walk
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are avian species that prey upon other species for food. These birds of prey have a name: raptors. Hawks, eagles, vultures, ospreys, and falcons are all examples of raptors.
There are fewer of these birds of prey because they have been targeted for their feathers or eggs, which has led to their extinction in certain cases. Feathers like this were traditionally used to create or adorn women’s headwear. Even though it is against the law in most nations, including Scotland, there are still some who insist on keeping them as pets.
Animals
The animals you might see while walking around Dryburgh are:
- Birds
- Fish
- Insects
- Mammals (Rabbits, voles, and shrews)
- Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and slow worms)
- Bats
- Moles
- Badgers
- Mice
- Squirrels
- Cats
- Horses
Plants and Fauna
For those who love being outdoors, Dryburgh is a great place to visit. There are several trees, plants, and flowers of varying sizes. Oak and birch trees, as well as rhododendrons and bluebells, are among them.
A diverse array of animals, such as squirrels, deer, rabbits, and other bird species including crows, call the Dryburgh grounds home (which can be found around the church).
Deforestation and other kinds of habitat loss have resulted in the extinction of a number of animal species. It’s home to a large population of animals that seem to be doing well. Foxes and other mammals do well because they are able to locate suitable food sources inside the woodlands in which they live.
Dryburgh Walk Conclusion
Dryburgh and St. Boswells are both wonderful spots to get away from it all. However, there are several distinctions between the two. Dryburgh is more tranquil than St. Boswells and has more to do than any other town in the area, plus it’s closer to the great outdoors.
