ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to lso tow il . kelso wn ail . ke town t tr wn tr introductionrail . ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke tow so t n tra n t w own tow Council has created which houses the Visitorra Infilor. mation Centre. to trai lso kel so l . kelso town trail . ke the Kelso Town Trail and would like to For those with more time, extensionsso t too wthe l . kel acknowledge and thank Mr Charles Denoon Trail which would add to the enjoyment ofn trail . kelso town trai for kindly allowing the use of material from the walk are suggested in the text. the Kelso Community Website (www.kelso. bordernet.co.uk/walks). The aim of the trail is In order to guide the visitor, plaques are sited to provide the visitor to Kelso with an added along the route at specific points of interest dimension to local history and a flavour of and information relating to them can be the town’s development, in particular, the found within this leaflet. As some of the sites historical growth of the town, its buildings along the Trail are houses, we would ask you and other items of interest. Along the route to respect the owners’ privacy. there is the opportunity to view structures which may be as old as the 12th century or We hope you will enjoy walking around as new as the year 2000, but all show the Kelso Town Trail and trust that you will have a architectural richness which together make pleasant stay in the town. up the town which locals know and love. An electronic version of this booklet is The Trail is approximately 3.5km (2 miles) available on Scottish Borders Council’s long. This should take about 11/2 to 2 hours website (www.scotborders.gov.uk) to complete. Those with less time to spare may wish to reduce this by referring to the Scottish Trail map in the centre pages. The walk starts Borders and finishes in The Square at the Town Hall C O U N C I L

kelso town trail 1 k el kelso town trail . ke so n trail . lso town trail to elso tow . kelso t wn rail . k own t tr historical backgroundown t rail . k ail . elso t elso kels ail . k tow o t Kelso’s history is closely linked with thatt rof razed Castle. It was during this n t own town rail tow trail the Abbey which was foundedelso here in the siege that King James II, who was fascinated . kels lso . kelsth ail . k o t ke 12o centurtowny btyr King David I, who radically with artillery, died when a cannon exploded own tra trail . reorganised upon ascending to the near where he was standing. His Queen il . kelso town throne. King David I grew up in urged the Scots to continue their siege and and was impressed by the Norman system eventually the castle was taken. Afterwards, of government. As a new king he stamped King James III was crowned at . his mark upon the country by introducing a new system of ecclesiastical parishes and Kelso suffered greatly in the 16th century new government based on the Norman when Anglo-Scottish warfare raged, and in system. In addition to founding new abbeys September 1545 the town, its mill and abbey he constructed Royal Centres of power were all destroyed by the Earl of Hertford. based on new town (Burghs). The abbey at Bizarrely, it was Spanish troops, not English, Kelso was sited close to his Royal Castle at that sacked and plundered the abbey. These Roxburgh and the important Royal Burgh troops were part of a multi-national force of the same name, which stood in the fields commanded by the Earl of Hertford under across the Tweed at modern day Friar’s King Henry VIII whose allies including King Haugh. Charles V of Spain.

During the Anglo-Scottish conflicts of the In the 17th century, King James VII strove late 13th and early 14th centuries, Kelso and for religious tolerance between the Roman the nearby Royal Castle were under English Catholic and Protestant faiths. This led to control. In 1460, after more than a century the Bishop’s Wars and the Civil War during of English occupation, the Scots besieged and which the king was deposed and executed. 2 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kelso w . kel tow Street. Bridge Street and Roxburgh Street n t trail In October 1715, during the unsuccessfuln tra rai town attempted restoration of 1715-16 (led by iarel . theke two other major roads leading to and l . elso James VII’s son) the population of Kelso was from thels Squareo . kels ail . k tow o to n tr able to watch the Jacobites gather at the site n tr w wn ow Today, the town is thea il4th largest in the to trail . kelso t Wester Kelso (by ). . kelso lso kelso town trail . Borders and the community is proudt oofw itsn t ail . ke The late 18th and 19th centuries were peaceful rich heritage. The Kelso Civic Week, which is rail . ke l s o to wn tr years, allowing the town to develop without held annually in the middle of July, celebrates fear of attack. As a result, Kelso prospered the history of the town. As in many other and expanded. For example, the town’s Border towns, this tradition has become an optician in the mid-18th century, John Gibson, established part of the social calendar. invented the reflecting microscope and made several models of telescopes which were used by the astronomers of the time.

The present town is mainly Georgian and Victorian in appearance, although here and there we find individual buildings which have survived the ravages of time, fire and war. The basic structure of the town is that of the traditional Scottish Burgh, where there is a market place containing the main public building, with main roads on both sides of the Town Hall and with other routes radiating off the Square. The “island” on which Kelso Town Hall is built is bounded by Woodmarket, Horsemarket and Cross

kelso town trail 3 k el kelso town trail . ke so n trail . lso town trail to elso tow . kelso t wn rail . k own t tr kelso town trailown t rail . k ail . elso t elso kels ail . k town o to TOWN HALL n tr a domed octagonal belfry with a clock which tra ow wn The Trail starts at the Visitor tInfowormation would have been an essential method of il . t trail . k . kelso kelso elso eCentrelso to inw Kelson tr Taoilwn Hall. In 1793 it was time keeping on market days before pocket town t ail . k reported that “It is to be regretted, that the or wristwatches became common. For rail . kelso town tr elegant square in which the market is held, is many years the building contained the Town not better ornamented with Council offices and the facilities for the local a better town house”. court. Today, the hall is used for various civic Thus, with money functions and is one of the finest buildings in raised by public the town. Within the entrance hall, there is subscr iption a plaque gifted to the town by Polish troops in 1816, this who were stationed in the area during World magnificent War Two. building replaced The centre of Kelso is dominated by The an earlier Square, formerly a large market place and thatched the hub of the town from the Middle Ages tolbooth and onward. Prior to 1790, the majority of town house. The buildings were thatched with high pointed T ow arched windows at gables facing The Square. At its centre is the n H ground floor formed Kelso Bull Ring where bulls were tethered al l an open until 1905 on market days for farmers to view. Under at which time the arches were the ring is a time capsule containing coins, filled in as part of extensive alterations. Above newspapers and other local artefacts. At the doorway, you can see the Burgh Arms each coronation new material is added and carved in stone. The building is crowned by the contents are updated. 4 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w . kel The buildings opposite the Town oHall to w(the stone. Built in 1833, this building originally n t trail n tra ra town west side of The Square) close the view from ihousedl . ke the British Linen Company Bank. il lso lso . kel il . ke the town to the . At Numbers tow so to n tra 15-20 The Square, you can see a formally From May to Augustn tlookr out for Swifts flying w wn ow designed Georgian building. Although there rapidly overhead. Theseai lbirds nest under to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k have been later alterations to this building, the eaves of many of the older buildingso tow inn il . ke the overall effect of the original design can the town centre and are remarkable in that trail . ke l s o to wn tra still be seen. One of the features of Kelso they spend most of their lives in the air. The is the use of cream coloured bricks for onlyonly time they land is when chimneys. These bricks last longer than stone they are nesting. This Ae ria l in chimneys. Closer to Roxburgh Street, the is due to the fact v ie buildings are less imposing, being of different that they havehave w o f style and materials. Behind this side of The veryvery long K e l s Square, a great deal of industrial activity wings and o used to take place. Now only one mill still extremely remains, continuing the tradition of milling on short legs the banks of the Tweed which started here which around the 12th century. means that they are On the south side of The Square, you see unableunable to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Built in 1934 to perch or land a modern, standard design, with projecting on the ground. eaves and red brick facings,this building would be more at home in the South of England FromFrom The Square,Square, turn than a Scottish country town. The adjoining left into Bridge Street and enter the area building, on the corner of Bridge Street, is the of the former precinct of Kelso Abbey. Bank of Scotland, which is a more traditional Scottish bank building, constructed from kelso town trail 5 ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w BRIDGE STREET On the opposite side .ofk ethel road numbers o tow n t trail n tra ra Leading to Rennie’s Bridge across the Tweed, 10-12 tiso wthen building which was formerly il . ke il lso lso . kel this street is lined with many interesting il . koccupiede by the “Kelso Mail”. This local tow so to buildings. To the rear of Numbers 5-7n Brtidgera newspaper was founded in 1797 by James n tr w wn Street were the former stables foro wHavannah Ballantyne, who later became Sir Walter ail to trail . elso t . kels lso keHouselso t o(now n w tEdnamrail .House). k These were Scott’s Publisher. o town il . ke converted into flats in 1994 and the trail . kelso town tra completed development is called Havannah Numbers 9-11 Bridge Street, now Swan’s Court. shoe shop is said to have been the first house in Scotland to be lit by gas when, in Numbers 5-7 once February 1818, local coppersmith William formed one of Kelso’s Muir, installed the lighting to his house. original Georgian townhouses, During the days of stagecoaches, travellers built for the would rest and have a meal and a drink Ormiston’s of whilst fresh horses were prepared to take Hender syde . them on the next stage of the journey. The Or iginally Queen’s Head (dating from the 18th century) Or miston and the Spread Eagle (early 19th century) was a Quaker hotels both had extensive property to the

V merchant and rear to cater for coaches and horses. In e n e banker during the the heyday of Kelso Abbey the properties ti an th W 17 century. Looking lay within the graveyard of the abbey, a fact ind up you will see Venetian which was highlighted with the discovery ows style windows on the 1st floor. of burials beneath the Spread Eagle during The building was converted into a shop in redevelopment in the early 1990s. the 19th century when the frontage, with internal cast iron columns was inserted. 6 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w . kel HOUSE o tow their measures against the town standard in n t trail n tra ra town Set back a short distance from the street iorderl . k ethat buyers could be certain that they il lso lso . kel il . ke in simple gardens, this fine mansion house were gettingt theow correct measure of goods. so to n tra was built in 1761 by James Nisbet as the n tr w wn ow residence for James Dickson of Ednam. As Continue on the righta ihandl side of the to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k a youth, Dickson broke a lamp on the town street and turn right into Abbey oCourtowt. n il . ke well; in order to escape punishment, he ran trail . ke l s o to wn tra off to London and thence to the Caribbean ABBEY COURT where he made his fortune as a naval agent Formerly the access to in Cuba. On his return, he had the house the bridge over the Ed na m built and named it “Havannah House” as a Tweed, this street H o reminder of his time in Cuba. was the primary u s entrance to the e This is one of the finest Georgian buildings town from the in the Borders and was at one time a south until the temperance hotel. The hotel has a splendid construction view of the River Tweed from the dining room of the Kelso at the rear and the interior is richly decorated Bridge. The with fine plaster ceilings. The drawing room first bridge at ceiling depicts Aurora being pursued across a this point was cloudy sky by Apollo in his chariot. In each of built by public the four corners, one of the four elements is subscription in represented. Originally entered from Abbey 1756 and consisted of Court, the present entrance to the hotel six arches. The mason who grounds was built in the 1930s and it was built the bridge, rather optimistically carved here that the town’s Tron, or weigh beam, in Latin, the words “Good mason work lasts was located. Here, market traders would set forever”. Unfortunately for him, the bridge

kelso town trail 7 ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w was swept away during a flood in 1797. A Across the road from. k eNumberl 6, the o tow n t trail n tra ra replacement bridge (see below) was opened wroughtto wironn gates were at one time the il . ke il lso lso . kel six years later in 1803 on a slightly different il . kmaine entrance to Ednam House. tow so to line, bypassing Abbey Court. n tra n tr w wn ow TURRET HOUSE ail to trail . elso t . kels lso keHighlso tono wthen walltr aofil Number . k 6, you can see The next building is known as Turret House. o town il . ke a fire insurance plaque. This is a reminder of This is built on the site of a single storey trail . kelso town tra the days before there was a civil fire brigade. house belonging to “John Palmer, boatman in Then, private companies Kelso”. The house was rebuilt in 1694 when fought fires, but only two floors were added for James Kirkwood, if the property schoolmaster of Kelso Grammar School. displayed such Turret House changed hands in 1759 and a plaque again in 1764 when it became a skinner’s indicating workshop. It was from this that the street that the that used to run adjacent to the river derived owner had its name, Skinner’s Brae. In 1822, the building taken out became a house again and in 1926, the insurance ground floor was turned into a sweet shop with their owned by Katie Bennet. When Miss Bennet company. A died in 1958, the house passed to her son fire brigade of who sold it to the National Trust for Scotland T u rr whatever sort in 1964, and was used to house the Kelso et H would have been Museum (1985-98). The building is now a ou se beneficial to the town house in private ownership. in the mid 1680s when a large part of the town burned down due Opposite Turret House is St Andrew’s to an accidental fire and it almost happened Episcopal , which was designed in again in the 1740s. 1861 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, 8 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kelso w . kel an important Victorian church designertow n t trail n trafoundation to Kelso in 1128. The move rai town and architect. His designs also include the imal .y khaeve been prompted by a desire to l . elso McEwan Hall and the dome of Old College, have a rolsyoal foundation near the Castle and kels ail . k town o to n tr both at the University of . Beyond important Royal Burtghra of Roxburgh. The ow wn tow the church is a short row, known as Belmount Abbey was completed iinl . 1212 and was t trail . k kelso kelso elso elso town trail . Place. To the right and down the path, you dedicated by David de Bernham, Bishoptow ofn t ail . k can get a fine view of Rennie’s Bridge and St Andrews, in March 1243 to the Blessed rail . ke l s o to wn tr the Tweed. Virgin and to St John. The Abbey prospered and a lucrative woollen trade was established Return to Bridge Street and directly in with traders in the Low front of you, you will see the striking Countries and other K el remains of Kelso Abbey. parts of Europe. so A b b e KELSO ABBEY Due to its y This is the oldest and was, at one time, the status and largest of the Border Abbeys and one of the proximity best examples of Romanesque (Norman) to the architecture in Scotland. As you enter the Nati ona l Abbey through what was the west porch, Border notice the diamond patterned carving between overhead. Scotland and England, the Earl David (later King David I), founded and Abbey suffered a endowed a monastery near Selkirk for a small great deal of damage colony of monks from Tiron in France around in the frequent outbreaks 1113. Because the site near Selkirk was “not of cross border warfare. It was attacked suitable for an Abbey”, David transferred his during the Wars of Independence and was

kelso town trail 9 ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w repeatedly sacked in the 1500s, culminating Roxburghe. This is a moder. keln interpretation o tow n t trail n tra ra in its destruction by the Earl of Hertford in of Romanesquetown architecture and includes il . ke il lso lso . kel 1545. il . kae doorway from the original cloister. The tow so to n tra noted architect Sir Robert Lorimer designed n tr w wn In 1649, the western part of the remainsow was the war memorial in 1921. Lorimer also ail to trail . elso t . kels lso keconlsov ertotedw inton t ar Paarilish . kChurch when part of designed the war memorial in o town il . ke the transept was given a thatched roof. The and the Scottish National War Memorial in trail . kelso town tra temporary church ceased to function when . the new Parish Church was built in 1773 but it was not until 1919 that the remnants of Return to Bridge Street and head the temporary church were cleared away. towards the . The locals used the Abbey as a source of building materials during the late 18th century The new houses on your right, as you head and consequently, many buildings in the town towards the bridge, stand within the former contain stones from the Abbey. What little Abbey Precinct. Archaeological excavations remained was repaired by the Duke of in 1997 and 1998 revealed evidence that Roxburghe in 1866. Virtually all evidence of this site was occupied by some high status the domestic buildings has been obliterated buildings, possibly guest quarters for visiting due to the buildings and roads which were dignitaries to the Abbey. From the mid-19th subsequently constructed in the area. For century the site served as the base for the those who enjoy a longer walk, it is also Croall family’s business as coachbuilders and worth noting that Kelso Abbey marks the later, motor sales, servicing and petrol. start of the Kelso to Jedburgh section of the Borders Abbeys Way1. KELSO BRIDGE 1 A leaflet detailing this walk The engineer John Rennie designed the is available from Visitor Nearby is the Memorial Cloister, which was elegant bridge that crosses the River Tweed Information Centres. built in 1933 in memory of the 8th Duke of close to Kelso Abbey in 1800. It was to serve

10 kelso town trail k el il . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n rail . k as a replacement for an earlier bridge whichown tr tollhouse was almost destroyed. Thereafter tr wn t had been washed away in a flood in 1797. aithel . Bridge Trustees were taken to court and ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke This bridge was opened in 1803 and was the were successfulltowy prosecuted for what was so to n tra first in the world to employ elliptical arches deemed to be exploitation.n tr w wn ow in its construction. This design was the ail to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k prototype of Rennie’s more famous London From the bridge there are fine views oupstreamtown il . ke Bridge across the Thames. London Bridge has past the Junction Pool over to Floors Castle, trail . ke l s o to wn tra since been removed and re-erected in Lake the home of the . Havasu, Arizona, USA. Rennie also designed the Waterloo and Southwark Bridges in At this point K el London and when the Waterloo Bridge was the you can so B r demolished, the lamps were salvaged and extend the id g installed on Kelso Bridge. trail by e visiting the On your right as you approach the bridge Junction stands a tollhouse where people using the Pool and bridge had to pay tolls. You may notice that a longer there are several dished indentations on the circular parapet. These are said to have been made walk that as people crossing the bridge rubbed down rejoins the their coins in protest at having to pay tolls. Town Trail The money raised through these tolls was by entrance to intended to cover repayment of the cost of the garden centre the bridge, although the practice continued (see below). long after the debt had been repaid. Public awareness of this led to serious rioting in For a description of the extended walk please 1854 and in the resulting pitched battle the refer to the end of this booklet.

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������� ������ k el il . kelso town trail . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n If you look over the wall beyond the north next to the entranceail of. kthe Garden Centre. own t th tr tra ra (town) end of the Bridge, you will see In the t19owcenturn y the area now occupied il . ke il lso lso . kel another building below parapet level. This il . kbey Mayfield was known as “The Malt Barns”. tow so to is a “pill box” which dates from the Secondn tra It is possible that this is where the monks of n tr w wn World War and was built to defowend the Kelso Abbey stored their barley from which ail to trail . elso t . kels lso kebrlsidge;o t othankfullw n tyr ita wasil . nevk er put to use. You they used to brew beer. In the Middle Ages o town il . ke may also notice holes in the wall at pavement beer was widely consumed, as the water trail . kelso town tra level, these are “gun loops” through which supply was often unsafe to drink. the wartime defenders intended to snipe at invading forces. At this point the extended route via Pinnacle Hill rejoins the main trail. From here take Follow this path towards the town centre the Mayfield and after a short distance you reach the Riverside Walk Knowes car park. downstream. This route To the left, are the premises of a local charity follows the group, Abbey Soft Play. This is part of the boundary of Borders Parent to Parent Group,who provide the monastic soft play facilities for children both partly and precinct of fully able. Beside Abbey Soft Play is the Abbey Kelso Abbey and Row Centre. This building, designed for use T o llh the land to the as a school, was built in 1879 on the site of an ou se left (townwards) earlier Grammar School, attended by a young probably held its gardens Sir Walter Scott. The building now serves as and orchards. On the far side the local Community Centre. In front of you, of the river is Maccus’ wiel, the fishing pool beside the Abbey Centre, you will see the after which Maxwellheugh was named in the graveyard with many old gravestones. This 12th century. Follow the path to a car park continued in use after the destruction of the 14 kelso town trail k el il . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n rail . k Abbey, since the western end of the buildingown tr by the architect of Ednam House, James tr wn t was utilised as a parish church. The car park aiNisbet.l . The octagonal plan is unique and ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke now occupies what may be the eastern limit the building tis obeautifullw y detailed both inside so to n tra of the graveyard. and out. The churchn t rwas altered slightly in w wn ow 1823 but a few years alateril , it was harshly to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k WAVERLEY LODGE described as “...the ugliest and leasto suitabtowlen il . ke At the opposite corner of the Knowes, you in architecture of all the Parish Churches in trail . ke l s o to wn tra can see Waverley Lodge. Named after Sir Scotland ...an excellent model for a Walter Scott’s novel, the house belonged circus”. The building is open O to his aunt and the author himself stayed to the public between ld Pa r is here for a while in 1783. To commemorate May and September. h C this, there is a bust of him set on the gable h u r c and a sculpture of one of his dogs over the There are some h gateway. fine examples of trees within The car park and the kirkyard used to form the churchyard “The Butts”. A law was issued by King James including IV (1488-1513) which stated that every man Sycamore, Lime of military age had to practice archery on a and Giant Redwood. regular basis. It was here that the men of Pairs of Rooks build Kelso practiced and the name derives from their nests high in the the targets that were used. treetops every year. The soft bark of the Giant Redwoods OLD PARISH CHURCH provides shelter for small birds such as the Past the Knowes, you will see an octagonal Treecreeper, which pecks out small hollows building. This is the Old Parish Church, which in the bark to give itself extra shelter At was erected between 1771-3 and designed night Tawny Owls may be heard here.

kelso town trail 15 k el il . kelso town trail . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n Turn left at the top of the Knowes and WOODMARKETrai l . k own t t into Abbey Row. As the namen timplies, this area is where rail rail o tow . kels . ke . kmerchantsels in the town traded wood. The o to ls ABBEY ROW rail oldest surviving building is Numbers 1-5, wn o tow wn t tra ow n tr On the edge of the kirkyard,o Abtbeyo Row is which was built about 1770 and has Venetian il . k o t ail . els st els ls keseparlso tatedow fromn t rtheail b.ustle k of Woodmarket style windows on the 1 floor. o town il . ke and the town by a block of buildings. trail . kelso town tra Ba Pedestrian links through to the town centre Numbers 21-23 are of rclays Ba are via the East and West Kirk Stiles. The note in that they nk rear of the buildings vary from were formerly utilitarian to grand in designed character. as a seed merchant’s Make your way warehouse back to The Square around via Wester Kirk 1865 in the Stile at the end of Italianate the row. Notice as style. This you go the example building now of a fine Georgian serves as one

W town house with its of the few Scottish e st harled wall and small branches of Barclay’s er K ir forecourt. Bank. The arched front has female heads on k S tile the keystones and these have the fruits of the Once more, you arrive in The Square earth woven into their hair. Carved cherubs with the Town Hall and Woodmarket on adorn the roundels in between. your right. Walk up Woodmarket.

16 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w . kel Number 25 is the former properoty t ofow the light to flood in. There were 71 stalls for n t trail n tra ra town Bank of Scotland. Designed in the 1860s in imerchants’l . ke use on the weekly Market Day il lso lso . kel il . ke a Greek revival style, the entrance is defined and a musicians’towgallery for when the hall was so to n tra by a projecting porch and cast iron tripod used on social occasions.n tr w wn ow lamp on either side of the door. The present ail to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k building stands on the site of an earlier Bank Numbers 22-24 (on the other sideo tofo wthen il . ke of Scotland building which was founded in road) is typical of the mid Georgian period trail . ke l s o to wn tra 1774 and was one of the earliest and most house in Kelso. The architectural C successful in the countrcountry.y. Corn fi rmrm of J & F Johnston aided oa Ex lm ch in the rehabilitation of the a a rk ng e The f formerormer e area byby retaining the t CorC o r n GeorgianGeorgian frontage Exchange whilst inserting was built new buildings in 1855 behind. A at a modern housing cost of development was £3,000 built as part of the which same 1974-9 scheme was raised and this projects slightly throught h r o u g h into Coalmarket,Coalmarket, beyondbeyond pup u bl ici c the formerformer buildingbuilding line.line. subscrsubscription. iption. The exterexterior,ior, with its 1st floor bay windows, has lost much of its detailing. The interior is quite intact with its hammer beam roof and glazing which allows

kelso town trail 17 k el il . kelso town trail . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n COALMARKET of Kelso in 1852.ra ilIt. kis named after her own tr tr This is where the people of Kelso would nephew, Roberwn tt Shedden, who died whilst in ail . ail lso to kelso . kel buy coal which had been carted from il . kthee Arctic searching for survivors of Sir John tow so to Scremerston, 38km (24 miles) awan yt rina Franklin’s expedition. The entrance to the n tr w wn . Sadly, this areaow is now park is marked by a triumphal arch, erected ail to trail . elso t . kels lso keals bousy t oroadw n junctiontrail .and k has lost its sense and paid for by public subscription by the o town il . ke of enclosure. The modern buildings do not local community by way of thanks. Within trail . kelso town tra add greatly to the architectural the park are a number of commemorative quality of the area but the trees and the elegant Keeper’s Lodge. older ones help retain a sense of dignity. From Coalmarket, turn left into Cross Among these are Street by the Waggon Inn. Continue the late Georgian along Cross Street until you arrive at corner house Horsemarket. and the Waggon Inn. The latter Opposite the junction of Cross Street and was used by Horsemarket you see the Roxy Cinema the coal-carriers which was originally built as a church in 1793. who took coal In the early 1930s the building was given a from the station to new frontage. Turn left into Horsemarket. R o x Coalmarket. y C HORSEMARKET ine ma If you continue past The buildings along Horsemarket are good Coalmarket, you will arrive at examples of early 19th century architecture. Shedden Park. Mrs Robertson of Ednam On the right hand side as you head towards House gifted this public park to the people The Square is an ornate Edwardian former

18 kelso town trail k els rail . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso tow o t town t n trail . k o lso elso er P w . ke PPostost Offi ce b builtuilt around Formtowost Of Church designed and builtbuilt betweenbetween 1885-6 n rail n tficer tr wn t 1910 and where the ailbby.y the EdinbEdinburghurgh architect John StarfStarforth.orth. ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke street widens out This wast obuiltbwuilt on the site of an earlierearlier so to n tra is Number 22 1788 church.n t Noticer the rrichich Gothic w wn ow with its elegant detailing, especiallaiyl on the spire. to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k swept corner. o town il . ke At Number Looking over the car park on your trail . ke l s o to wn tra 16 at the left, you will see the Red west end of Lion in Jamieson’s Horsemarket, Entry. Although Fo rm is the site of mentioned e r T r the f formerormer in a list of in it y Kelso Theatre Theatre.. trtradersaders of N

o Built dur duringing the 1826, the r t h

Napoleonic W Warar b byy present b buildinguilding C

h u

French Prisoners of War, dates from 1905. r

c h when it was open, the theatre was a great The building has social centre for the townspeople or those traditional details attending the Kelso races. such as crowstep gables and corner Once more you arrive in The Square. turret and the Turn sharp right and leave The Square via ground floor windows Bowmont Street. This lane is known locally as are interesting as the Art “The Dardanelles”. In front of you is a public Nouveau movement has clearly bar and to your right, on the corner with East influenced them. Bowmont Street, is the former Trinity North

kelso town trail 19 ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kelso w High School. Designed. k einl 1936 by the tow n t BOWMONT STREET trail n tra rai If you now walk up Bowmont Street, named architectsto wReidn & Forbes, this school building il . ke l . after the Marquis of Bowmont, one of the epitomiseselso the styling of the 1930s with the lso kels ail . k town o to Duke of Roxburghe’s titles, you will comen t rto tower over the entrance, the Mayan art deco tra ow wn the Kelso Public Library.The librartyo datesw from detailing and the teaching wings on either side il . t trail . k kelso kelso elso e1905lso t andow isn btuiltra inil a. Scottish Renaissance of the entrance with horizontal emphasis to town t ail . k style, after a design by the renowned the windows. The science block also has a rail . kelso town tr architects Peddie and Washington Browne. tower, which has curved glass windows. The Large Jacobean windows light building was extended in the 1960s and again the reading room, and in the 1990s. the interior has a spectacular trussed Continue a short distance until you roof. Notice reach the junction of Roxburgh Street the wrought on your left. iron gateway and the finely This was, at one time, the link between the carved stone historic burghs of Easter and Wester Kelso. panel over the The Burgh of Wester Kelso was inhabited entrance. until 1684 when it was destroyed by fire. The Mercat Cross survived until the late 18th P u b Continue along century as the only reminder of the Burgh. In lic L ib Bowmont Street. 1715, James Francis Stuart (son of King James ra ry VII and father of Prince Charles Edward After passing the bowling Stuart) was proclaimed King by his followers club and Poynder Park (the home at the Cross. The proclamation was met with of Kelso Rugby Football Club) on your right cries from the locals of “No Union, no malt hand side, you arrive at the gates of Kelso tax, no salt tax” in direct reference to the

20 kelso town trail k el il . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n rail . k 1707 Treaty of Union between Scotlando wandn t A series of archaeological excavations were t n t England. Under the terms of Union, punitive rail rail so tow car.r iedke lsout inside the grounds of Floors . ke l . kel taxes were imposed on malts and salt which Castle closeo t toow the entrance at Roxburgh lso rai had been tax free in Scotland. Street in the 1980’ns. They revealed evidence tow wn t trai ow n tra so to that the burgh of Wester Kelsol . k ewas founded o t il . k kel th lso els elso town trail . FLOORS CASTLE in the 12 century and continued tot oexistwn t ail . k The gates, which you see here, form the main into the 16th when it was probably destroyed rail . ke l s o to wn tr entrance to Floors Castle. The two storey by English invaders. lodges on either side are built of stone rubble and have bellcast slated roofs with Walk along Roxburgh square chimney stacks. The lodges are linked Street, which runs Fl oo by ornate wrought iron gates, which were parallel with rs C a initially operated electrically. Both the gates the River s t le and lodges were designed in 1929. Tweed. G a t e If you have time, a visit to the Castle will s allow you to see what is reputedly the largest house in Scotland. The original building was perhaps designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and built in the 1720s. William Adam illustrated the building in the book “Vitruvius Scoticus” and he may have contributed something to the design. The Edinburgh architect, William Playfair, remodelled the building into what you see today, between 1837-47.

kelso town trail 21 k el il . kelso town trail . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n ROXBURGH STREET after the foundationrai lof. kthe Abbey in order own tr tr Along Roxburgh Street there are several to supplyw itn witht ground flour. Frequent ail . ail lso to kelso . kel opportunities to leave the Trail by taking a il . krepaire s and maintenance must have been tow so to short walk down to the Cobby Rivnertsidera required to mend the damage caused by the n tr w wn Walk, from where a view of Floorows Castle Tweed flooding. The site is now occupied ail to trail . elso t . kels lso kecanlso bet ogained.w n t rThisail popular. k walk along the by Hogarth’s Mill, which dates from the early o town il . ke side of the River Tweed is part of the flood 19th century. trail . kelso town tra plain. Please note there is no formal path and the riverside may be muddy at times. The Cobby is another area where it is worth looking out for wildlife. On the water there The height of the garden walls gives an are normally a variety of ducks, including indication of how severe the flooding can be Tufted and Goosanders, as well as Mute as they are designed to hold back the river Swans, Moorhens and Coots. A Heron often when it floods. You can see the islet called sits on the island where Grey Wagtails are Kelso Anna and the Old Mill Weir. Over also a common sight. the River is Springwood Park, the former grounds of Springwood Park House, which On your right, near the head of Roxburgh was demolished in 1954. The park now Street, set back slightly from the street and serves as the Border Union Showground behind a high wall, isWalton Hall. This building for various shows such as the internationally was built in 1820 as a fishing lodge for John renowned Kelso Ram Sales in September of Ballantyne, Sir Walter Scott’s publisher. It is a each year. single storey Georgian house with associated stable buildings and is said to have been built At the end of the Cobby are what remains with the money made from publishing Scott’s of the foundations of the water mill which works. Unfortunately, Ballantyne died within was associated with the Abbey. The water a year of it being completed and was unable mill would have been constructed shortly to enjoy the building to its full potential.

22 kelso town trail ke elso to w n tr ai l . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w . kel Most of the buildings on the left-hando to wside You will find several fine detached Victorian n t trail n tra r n of the street are modermodernn bbutut ormer Di imansionsl that havehave a magnifi cent view overover a tow F spens . ke il lso ary lso . kel il . ke they do not appear to the confl uencetow of the Riv Riversers TTweedweed and so to n tra be out of charcharacteracter TTevioteviot and of n the tr countr countrysideyside bey beyond.ond. w wn ow with the rest of ContinContinuinguing along a ilRo Roxburghxburgh Street to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k the street. brings you to Kelso Northo Churchtown il . ke with its impressive pinnacled trail . ke l s o to wn tra The r rightight spire. The church was built hand (w (west)est) between 1864-6 as the side of the Free Church to street is the designs K el so older and of the N o r most of these architect th C propertiesproperties date FrederFrederickick h u r from the late Pilkington. c h 18th and ear earlyly 19 th century. There is the Kelso Further along, Dispensary (a form of hospital) which was opposite established in 1777 after a suggestion by the end of Mrs Baillie of Jerviswood “for the relief of the Union Street diseased among the lower orders of people... is Roxburgh on both sides of the border”. This was the House, which is a first such building in Scotland. By 1793 there late Georgian mansion. was “a spacious ward, to accommodate 12 A coach-house and stable patients” The Dispensary closed in 1906 flank either side of its forecourt. Notice the when the Cottage Hospital was built at bellcast roof with the central brick chimney Maxwellheugh. stack.You can gain an idea of how many rooms

kelso town trail 23 k el il . kelso town trail . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n the house had by counting the chimney cans, located in Edinburrghai land. k under the terms of own t t the Treaty ofn Uniont in 1707, the mint was rail rail each room having one fireplace. o tow . kels . ke . ktoel scontinue here at Kelso but this failed to o to ls ail th wn o to Across the road from Roxburgh Housen ist ther happen. So until the 16 century it was from tra ow wn former “Ragged School”, now a prtoivatew house this part of Kelso that money was distributed il . t trail . k kelso kelso elso e(Numberlso tow 51).n tThisra ilfor .mer school was for the to the surrounding area. The alternative town t ail . k education of children of the poor. There is a derivation is a little less romantic! rail . kelso town tr small cobbled courtyard between the school and what used to be a blacksmith’s shop. Once you are in The Square, you will see on your left,the Cross Keys Hotel,which was built Continue along Roxburgh for James Dickson in 1761. Kelso was at that Street with its mix time the last stop in Scotland on the coach of old and new road from Edinburgh to Newcastle. Dickson buildings, most of built the hotel to cater for the travellers on which are shops the route. It was certainly the grandest of at ground floor the stages between the two cities. In 1880, level. Just past an extra storey was added and this is one of Duns Wynd on the few four storey buildings in the town. your right,you re- enter The Square On your right are shops and flats but R a behind these are areas of the town that are g through “Cunzie g e d Neuk” (Scots: Coin historically associated with industry. Names Sc ho or Gutter Corner). This such as Oven Wynd, Peat Wynd and Mill ol may refer to the fact that Wynd hint at the former usage. Imagine until the 16th century, each area the hustle and bustle around here, especially of the country had its own mint producing during market day. coinage. From 1547, the Scottish Mint was

24 kelso town trail k el il . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n rail . k A short walk back across own tr By turning right at the end of the bridge and tr wn t The Square brings ail . following the footpath for a short distance ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke you to the Town a shortt oextensionw to the trail brings so to n tra Hall and the you to then Junctiontr Pool, where the w wn ow end of the Teviot and Tweedail Rivers meet. This to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k Kelso Town is one of a number of placeso t alongown il . ke Trail. We the Tweed where the story of the trail . ke l s o to wn tra hope that you river is told2”. have enjoyed this short Junction Pool is walk through an excellent Ju nc the town and spot to tio n P trust that you will observe o o return Kelso in the the local l near future. C wildlife. In ross Keys Hotel summer, EXTENDED WALK VIA HUNTER groups of BRIDGE Sand Martins, At the other end of Kelso Bridge (south House side), you can see a triumphal arch. This Martins and gateway, known locally as the Douglas Swallows hunt Gates and bearing the red heart of the for insects over Douglas Family served as the entrance to the water and, the Old Springwood Estate. The house was on the river, Mallard 2 A leaflet “A Journey along the River demolished in 1954. Ducks, Goosander and Mute Tweed” details other viewpoints Swans a common sight. At the water’s edge, along the river and is available from Oystercatcher, Wagtail and Dipper may be Visitor Information Centres.

kelso town trail 25 ke elso town trail . k lso n trail . k elso town tra to so tow il . kels w seen and, if you are patient, you may even when the cherries are .ink fullel bloom. Follow o tow n t trail n tra ra catch a glimpse of a Kingfisher flying fast and the pathto throughwn the park to a long flight of il . ke il lso lso . kel low over the river. il . kstepse up to the new Millennium Viewpoint. tow so to n tra An alternative route, suitable for all abilities, is n tr w wn Whilst sitting and enjoying the viewow you may to follow the footpath beside the road (uphill ail to trail . elso t . kels lso kealsolso tseeow anglern trs afiilshing . k for Salmon, Trout round the park), which will take you to the o town il . ke and Grayling and they are sometimes joined same point, but avoids the steps. trail . kelso town tra by others searching for eels and other fish. Invasive plants such as Giant Hogweed and From the Millennium Viewpoint walk uphill Japanese Knotweed grow along to reach Road. On the right at the riverbank with other the top of the hill is Maxwellheugh Cottage, introduced species which was known as the Abbey Hotel at such as Himalayan the beginning of the 20th century. During Balsam and the Second World War, a Prisoner of War Russian Comfrey. camp occupied the land beyond the cottage. The latter may The prisoners were allowed to roam about be identified by the town but due to their distinctive dress, its bell-shaped maroon suits with large yellow stripes on the purple flowers back, it was difficult for them to sneak away! M e and large dark l le n green leaves. Incorporated into the garage (before the turn n iu m into Sprouston Road) are some buildings V iew To the left at the that were formerly part of the Pinnaclehill po int southern end of the bridge farmsteading. As you can see this former is a flight of steps that will take farmland is now developed as housing and you into Bridgend Park. Formerly the town further on up the hill, an industrial estate. rubbish dump, this is now a pleasant and Turn left into Sprouston Road. colourful space, particularly in springtime, 26 kelso town trail k el il . kelso to w n tr ai l . kelso so own tra town trail . tow elso t kelso t n rail . k After 200m or so you come to the opostswn tr bridge was opened in August 1998 as part of tr wn t of a gateway and a small lodge. This lodge aial tr. affic relief scheme for Kelso. The bridge ail lso to kelso . kel il . ke marks the former entrance to Pinnaclehill provides thet oopporw tunity for pleasant and so to n tra Estate beyond which once lay Pinnaclehill sweeping views ofn thetr Tweed. En route you w wn ow House and park. Immediately to the left will pass the start of aa newil footpath from to trail . elso t . kels lso kelso town trail . k as you enter is a wooded tumulus. This is a Kelso to Sprouston village along theo tcourowsen il . ke prehistoric burial mound (c.4,000 years old) of the old railway. trail . ke l s o to wn tra and serves as a reminder that this area has been attractive as a place to live for a very On the north side of the bridge follow long time. the path along the river towards the town to rejoin the main trail. The less able or those visitors with pushchairs should continue up Sprouston Road, turn left along Sprouston Road and rejoin the route at the entrance to Pinnaclehill Park. Photograph Acknowledgements: Mr Keith Robeson - Wester Kirk Stile. There is a small gate just before the mound. Go through it and follow the path through the woodland down to the river. In the early spring the wooded area is often carpeted with Snowdrops and the woodland provides a home for a good mixture of birds including Tawny Owl and Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Continue downstream before once more returning through Pinnaclehill Park. Turn left onto Sprouston Road and then right to join the new bypass at the Hunter Bridge. This

kelso town trail 27 k el kelso to wn trail . ke so n trail . lso town trail to elso tow . kelso t wn rail . k own tr tra own t ail . k il . elso t elso t kels rail . k own o tow n t tra ow n tr so tow il . ke o t ail . kelso tow n trail . kel lso tow . kels n trail . kelso town trail

28 kelso town trail