Melrose Guide
Melrose is a Borders town that draws people in — with good reason. It’s a place of history, charm and quiet character, nestled underneath the Eildon hills. As a tour guide it’s my most regular stopping point, and a place I love to share. Whether you're arriving with walking boots or simply browsing from home, this regularly updated page brings together practical tips, personal reflections and tales that celebrate everything Melrose has to offer.
From walks and legends to local flavours and thoughtful travel, you'll find paths to follow, corners to explore and perhaps a few surprises along the way….
Blogs about Melrose
Arriving & Exploring
Image - SSDA
Train: Tweedbank Railway Station is a pleasant 1.5 mile walk from Melrose, with newly improved all abilities route opening in Summer 2025 making this easier than ever. Trains run every 30 minutes to and from Edinburgh Waverley. Guests arriving on a TVB Tour via train can access exclusive audio clips to make the journey to Melrose part of the tour!
Bus: Regular buses arrive from Galashiels Transport Interchange, Edinburgh, Berwick Upon Tweed and other Borders towns. Check out the Traveline Scotland App to plan a public transport trip to Melrose.
Cycling: Melrose is on both the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 1 from Edinburgh and the Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast meaning many visitors arrive by bike. The town is also well served with quiet roads and cycle tracks making it a perfect base to explore on two wheels.
Walking: Melrose is uniquely situated on three of Scotland’s Great Trails — no other town can say the same. As such, it’s a magnet for hikers and walking along pilgrim routes, or the mighty Southern Upland Way, has to be the finest way to arrive in town!
Driving: Melrose is easily accessible from the A68 and A7 roads, which connect via the Melrose Bypass (A6091). Parking can be found in various car parks around town.
Melrose through the seasons
Spring stirs Melrose awake, a season of fresh blossoms and sporting pride.
Every April (or May, it was changed in 2025!), Rugby Sevens returns to The Greenyards, where the fast paced game first found its feet. Crowds gather from near and far for this international celebration, as Melrose honours its sporting heritage. Meanwhile, in the heart of town, Priorwood Garden bursts into bloom. Apple blossoms appear across the heritage orchard, offering quiet charm and the promise of warmer days to come….
Summer in Melrose is full of life, tradition and celebration. June ushers in two marquee events — the Melrose Festival, steeped in local heritage and ceremony, and the Borders Book Festival, which fills Harmony Garden with ideas, laughter, and literary sparkle - the biggest event in The Borders calendar. And all the while, Harmony Garden is in full summer bloom, a haven for wanderers, readers and seekers of sunny tranquillity!
As summer slips into autumn, Melrose puts on a show in purple, russet and gold.
The Eildon Hills call at this time of year, draped in blooming heather — perfect for a brisk hike and sweeping views of the Borders. September brings the Melrose Music Festival, where world-class performers fill the town. And come October, Priorwood Apple Day draws visitors from near and far, eager to taste heritage apples and celebrate the orchard’s ancient legacy — a true tribute to the slower, seasonal rhythms of Borders life.
Winter invites a gentler pace to Melrose, where frosty mornings give way to warm welcomes in cosy cafés and characterful pubs.
It’s the season for short, bracing walks through quiet lanes or riverside paths, followed by the satisfying thud of rugby at The Greenyards — a proper Borders winter’s day! Local shops glow with festive charm and thoughtful gifts, making it a brilliant time to shop small and support Melrose’s vibrant independent spirit. And for the truly rainy day? Trimontium Museum of course!
Walks Around Melrose
(External Links)
The Eildon Hills - Walk Highlands
Image - SSDA/Duncan Ireland
Paths around Melrose - Scottish Borders Council
Image - SSDA/Duncan Ireland
St. Cuthbert’s Way - Official Website
Image - Squarespace
“fascinating walking tour around the Melrose area. No driving necessary, just the great outdoors and historic pathways of the Borders!”
“We visited Melrose with its quaint little artisan shops”
Melrose, by my guests…
What some of my guests have said about tours in and around the town…
“Best local hand made chocolates from Melrose!”
“ I’ve only scratched the surface of the area’s history and already can’t wait to go back to explore some more.”
“Fantastic half day tour of Melrose and the area”
“Meeting at the 12 Triangles coffee shop in Melrose, conversation was easy”
Explore Melrose with Tweed Valley Blogger
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My favourite way to explore the town! Meeting at Tweedbank Railway Station for a 5 mile, slow paced walk around Melrose and surrounding area. Just £200 for up to 10 guests! Find out more and book here.
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Are you keen to explore Melrose, and the surrounding countryside, in the hands of a five star guide? My bespoke tours are the answer. I will collect you from your accommodation and tailor the day to suit you. Tours start from £450 for up to 4 people (price per tour, not person) and can be booked here.