Scottish Places of Interest. Jedburgh.

This gorgeous little town has it all. When you first arrive, you find yourself strolling along the river, enjoying the rows of shops, admiring the colourful buildings and marketplace in the centre of town. Your eye will be drawn to the 16th-century Ferniehirst Castle (only open in July but wonderful to admire all year round), a striking red sandstone abbey, and charming alleyways all about. 

But Jedburgh is a royal burgh, with endless stories and mysteries etched into its history. The abbey sits quietly on the banks of Jed Water today but there was a time when it was pillaged and rebuilt many times over since its founding in 1138. The abbey served as a royal castle and supposedly in 1285, when Alexander III and his new queen were being married in the abbey’s church, a ghost appeared and foretold the King’s death. Alexander did indeed die the following year when he fell from his horse.  

The whole town suffered during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries, victim to numerous attacks as it changed hands between the Scots and the English several times.  

And for fans of Mary Queen of Scots, you’ll be interested to know she stayed here in 1566 and the house where she stayed is now a museum that tells the story of her life.