Tweed Valley
October 1, 2001
After a wonderful cold and hot buffet breakfast at the Hydro Hotel we drove to Galashiels to the Lochcarron Mills, from which the Clan Irwin Association obtains their tartans. We had the opportunity of touring the mill and viewing the weaving of tartan starting with threads, finishing the cloth by washing and drying and tailoring kilts and other garments. It was also interesting to see the clothing and knitted woolen and cashmere sweaters in their shop.
We then went to Abbottsford to visit Sir Walter Scott's home. This is one of our favorite places in Scotland. It has Sir Walter's possessions and gives the impression that he has just stepped outside and will be back any minute. The walls are literally covered with his vast collection of Scotland historical artifacts. Especially appealing are the Great Hall adorned with arms and armour. The ceiling of the Great Hall is decorated with Coats of Arms of the Border Clans/Families including those of the Irvings and Glendennings. His study and library have a marvelous collection of books. The rooms on the river side of the house give glorious views of the Tweed River, which he loved so much.
We went to Melrose to tour Melrose Abbey, built by David I in 1136 for Cistercian monks and to replace a 7th century monastery. Built of rose-pink sandstone Melrose was one of the "most beautiful Border Abbeys." Its location made it vulnerable to English invasions. It was ransacked by English armies in 1322 and 1385, then given its death-blow by Henry VIII's instituting his policy of "rough wooing" in 1545.
The shell of the abbey church has some notable features- beautiful carved windows and pillars and interesting gargoyles such as the pig playing a bagpipe. The cemetery contains a burial site of an embalmed heart believed to be that of Robert the Bruce.
Following lunch at Burt's Hotel in Melrose we returned to Peebles for some shopping and to the Hydro Hotel for an elegant dinner that included dishes such as boar terrine, salmon, venison with red cabbage and hot apple pie with ice cream. The Peebles Hydro is actually the Peebles Hotel Hydropathic dating from its opening in 1881 as an elegant resort hotel where people came to take a "water cure." The original building burned down in 1905; the decision was made to rebuild reusing the red corncockle sandstone from Dumfriesshire. The hotel reopened in 1907. It is truly an elegant resort yet it has wonderful programs for families and for children. Its location in the Valley of the Tweed puts it close to famous Border's sites.
