Melrose, Scottish Borders Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Melrose Scottish Gaelic: Maolros Scots: Melrose

Melrose
Population	Expression error: "Lua error in Module:Tabular_data at line 91: attempt to index field 'data' (a nil value)." must be numeric (2020)
OS grid reference	NT5434
Council area	Scottish Borders
Lieutenancy area	Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MELROSE
Postcode district	TD6
Dialling code	01896

Police	Lothian and Borders
Fire	Lothian and Borders
Ambulance	Scottish

EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scottish Parliament	Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
List of places UK Scotland 55°35′53″N 2°43′52″W / 55.598°N 2.731°W / 55.598; -2.731

Melrose is a charming town located in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland. Its name, "Maolros" in Gaelic, means "bald moor." The town is famous for its long history and beautiful scenery. It is surrounded by small villages like Darnick, Gattonside, Newstead, Lilliesleaf, and Bowden.

Melrose's Story
Sports Fun in Melrose
- Rugby Sevens
- Other Sports
Exciting Events
Famous People from Melrose
Town Twinning
Images for kids
More to Explore
See also

Melrose's Story

Ancient Beginnings

The original Melrose was called Mailros. This name meant "the bare peninsula" in an old language called Old Welsh. It referred to a piece of land by the River Tweed. In the 6th century, a monastery was built there. This monastery was linked to St Cuthbert. It was mentioned in old writings like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This first settlement, known as "Old Melrose," was left empty by the 12th century.

Melrose Abbey and the Town

Mel and Rose symbols carved in stone at Melrose Abbey

In 1124, King David I of Scotland became king. He wanted to build a new Cistercian monastery. The monks chose a spot further west called "Fordel." So, Melrose Abbey was founded there in 1136. The town of Melrose then grew up around this new abbey.

In the past, the name Melrose was shown using a mell (a mason's hammer) and a rose. The rose stood for the Virgin Mary. All Cistercian abbeys were dedicated to her. The Abbey became a ruin after the Reformation. However, it is still a very impressive building today. Many Scottish nobles are buried there. A special box was found that people believe holds the heart of King Robert the Bruce. This box has been re-buried at the Abbey. Historic Scotland looks after the Abbey ruins, and visitors can explore them.

Nearby Historic Sites

Close to Melrose, you can find the remains of a Roman fort called Trimontium. Also nearby is Abbotsford House, which was the home of the famous writer Sir Walter Scott. He is buried at Dryburgh Abbey, another historic site. The Corn Exchange building in Melrose was finished in 1863. The town's war memorial, built in 1920, was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.

Sports Fun in Melrose

Melrose is very famous for its sports, especially rugby!

Rugby Sevens

Melrose is known as the birthplace of Rugby Sevens. This is a faster version of rugby union. The town has its own rugby team, Melrose RFC. Every year, on the second Saturday in April, the famous Melrose Sevens tournament takes place. It is the biggest yearly sports event in Melrose. Rugby union has always been the most popular sport here.

Other Sports

Melrose also has a nine-hole golf course. It is located at the edge of town, near the Eildon Hills. The Melrose Cricket Club is situated next to the Borders General Hospital.

Melrose Football Club SCIO was started in 1995. It is a local football club for younger players. Boys' teams play in local leagues. Girls' teams are part of Scottish Women's Football. They play in leagues across the Borders and Lothians. Melrose FC is currently the largest girls' football club in the Scottish Borders.

Exciting Events

Melrose hosts several fun events throughout the year.

Melrose Festival

Every June, the week-long Melrose Festival happens. A "Melrosian" is chosen from someone who has lived in the town for most of their life. A queen and her court are also chosen from the local primary school, Melrose Primary School.

Borders Book Festival

Melrose is also home to the yearly Borders Book Festival. This festival also takes place in June. Famous guests have included Michael Palin and Germaine Greer. Writers like Ian Rankin and comedians like Rory Bremner have also attended.

Other Events

The town hosts the annual Eildon Three Hill Race. Many runners come to take part in this challenging race. The Melrose Pipe Band Championships also attract pipers from all over the world.

Famous People from Melrose

Melrose has been home to many interesting people:

King Arthur is supposedly buried in the Eildon Hills, which overlook the town.
James Blair and William Kerr both received the Victoria Cross for bravery.
Many rugby stars come from Melrose, including Craig Chalmers, Stuart Hogg, Ned Haig (who started Rugby Sevens), Keith Robertson, and Mark Robertson.
Sir Adam Ferguson, an army officer, lived at Huntlyburn House.
Rosie Frew is the local Parish Minister and will be the Moderator-Designate for the Church of Scotland General Assembly in 2025.
John Robertson Henderson was a zoologist.
Sir Walter Scott, a famous writer, lived nearby at Abbotsford House.
Catherine Helen Spence (1825–1910) was an Australian author and activist. She was born in Melrose and moved to Australia when she was fourteen.
Jim Telfer was a well-known rugby player and coach.