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The Town of Jedburgh
The Historic Royal Burgh of Jedburgh has one of the finest
abbeys in Scotland.
Close by is Jedburgh Castle Jail and Mary Queen of Scots
House with museum and gardens.
A short walk from the hotel is the Waterside
Fitness Centre which has a 25m swimming pool, fully equipped
fitness suite, steam room and sauna.
Jedburgh Abbey
King David I founded the Augustinian priory on the banks
of the Jed Water around 1138 to demonstrate to his own
subjects, and to those in England that he could create
a magnificent building in the southernmost part of his
kingdom. Its position on the steeply sloping banks of the
river, allowed the monks to create the huge cross-shaped
plan of nave, presbytery and transepts in a prominent position
while the cloister, chapter house, cellars and other accommodation
could be built on lower levels, leaving the flowing arches
of the nave to dominate the site.
Made from local stone, it took over 100 years to complete
the abbey. In the same Century as it was completed, the
abbey was badly damaged by King Edward I and his successors,
who regarded destroying castles and abbeys as a method
of demonstrating who was in charge.
Jedburgh Abbey is under the preservation of Historic Scotland,
which offers an excellent visitor centre on site.
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