Jedburgh Scotland. A charming and historical town in the Scottish Borders.

Welcome to The Royal Burgh Of Jedburgh, a charming town located at the Southern end of Scotland. Jedburgh nestles in the valley of Jed Water, amongst glorious Scottish Border countryside. Typical of the Scottish Borders, Jedburgh is in the heart of lush green pastures, tree clad hills and valleys where the river Jed flows into the Teviot at Jedfoot. The accompanying photographs of Jedburgh help illustrate the character and charm of Jedburgh to visitor and tourist alike. Jedburgh, known locally as "Jethart", is a warm and welcoming Border town that greets visitors from the South with majestic views of Jedburgh Abbey and The Parish Church. Jedburgh hosts a fine selection of tearooms and restaurants with plenty to see and do within the town boundaries. Jedburgh has a bowling green, fitness centre, public baths and a golf course set high in the hills overlooking the town. Breathtaking views of the Cheviot Hills provide the backdrop to a challenging 9 hole golf course soon to become 18 holes in the spring of 2006. For those interested in architecture and the history of Scotland, why not drift back in time examining the magnificent remains of Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh Castle Gaol and Mary Queen of Scots House before taking a riverside walk passing by the Piper's House in Duck Row and the 16th Century Canongate Bridge.
	HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Jedburgh is steeped in history and contains a wealth of historical and architectural jewels. The history of Jedburgh dates back several centuries when around AD 830, Bishop Ecgred of Lindisfarne formed two settlements on the Jed Water, calling them both by the same name. The oldest form of this name is written Gedwearde - meaning "the enclosed settlement by the River Jed" and this dates from around 1050.
Jedburgh Abbey from the South. Abbey place can be seen on the left. The photograph was taken near the site of the old Jedburgh Victoria Laundry.

By the mid 16th century, the name ‘Jedworth’ was being used. Situated close to the border between Scotland and England, the town saw more than its fair share of turmoil. During the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries, Jedburgh was captured by the English captured on numerous occasions. The town and Abbey were burned three times in the 15th century by the English, providing evidence of the strategic value of the town. Attacks from the English continued to the 16th century and several attempts were made to restore peace to the area.
	The 'Mercat' Square and County Buildings photographed early morning.


	A priory was founded by King David 1 (1124-53) in 1138 and its status was raised to that of an Abbey in 1154.In the early years of the Wars of Independence, the Abbey was wrecked and plundered by the English under Sir Richard Hastings. The Abbey was thrice ravaged in the 15th century, in 1410, 1416 and again in 1464. In 1523 English troops, under the Earl of Surrey, put the Abbey to the torch once more. Repair work was completed only to have the buildings burned again by the Earl of Hertford in 1544.
Jedburgh Abbey and War Memorial set against a clear spring sky. Jedburgh abbey and grounds are very well preserved complete with a comprehensive tourist information centre at the south of the boundary.

The Abbey was suppressed in 1559 as part of the religious Reformation in Scotland. Suppression meant that the monks could no longer recruit new members to the order. The Abbey church was then used as the parish church until 1875 when a new church was built in the town. The Abbey then ceased to be a place of worship. After this, the architect Sir Robert Row and Anderson, under the guidance of the Marquis of Lothian, started restoration work on the Abbey. In 1913 the Abbey was taken into guardianship by the H.M. Office of Works and is now a Historic Scotland monument


TOWN TRAIL The Tourist Information Centre shown opposite should be the first port of call for visitors to the town. With much to see in Jedburgh, a Town Trail has been created with key locations including Jedburgh Abbey, The Piper's House, Canongate Bridge, Queen Mary's House, The Jedburgh Friary, Prince Charlie's House, Jedburgh Castle Gaol, Newgate and more. The Jedburgh Town Trail provides the visitor with an added dimension to local history and gives a flavour of the town’s development over the years.
	Jedburgh Tourist Information Centre with the Town Hall buildings on the left.
The Trail is about 2 miles (3 km) long. Allow 2 hours to walk the trail but further time should be added if visiting the Abbey and the Castle Gaol. The walk starts and finishes at the Jedburgh Tourist Information Centre in Abbey Place, where a free illustrated copy of this text may be obtained, together with a Trail map of the town.

One section of the walk takes you alongside the River Jed . Having walked from the underpass near the Abbey and along the riverside, you will come to Piper’s House and the Canongate Bridge. The Piper’s House dates from 1604 although it was remodelled in 1896.
	If you look at the lintel over the central window on the first floor, you can see the initials of the builder, Adam Ainslie and his wife Janet. The date - 1604. The window replaced the original entrance door that was at the head of a flight of stone stairs. The town’s last official piper, Robin Hastie, is said to have occupied a portion of the house. On the last crow step (stones on the gables giving a stepped appearance) to the south east, there is a carved figure of a piper. According to Sir Walter Scott, the Hastie family had been Burgh Pipers for three hundred years. When Hastie died in the early 19th century, Scott wrote that "old age had rendered Robin a wretched performer but he knew several old songs and tunes, which have probably died with him".
The Pipers House and Canongate Bridge - Jedburgh.


Canongate Bridge, now used only as a footbridge, was at one time the principal route into the town. It is interesting to note that, for defensive reasons, the approaches to the bridge are more or less at 90 degrees. Built in the 16th century, this is an attractive three-arched bridge. Under each arch are chamfered ribs. Originally each span had four ribs but the easternmost arch now has only two. Notice the way the cutwaters - which relieve the pressure of the flowing water on the bridge - carry right up to parapet level. When you get onto the bridge itself, you see the reason for this, in that they form refuges where pedestrians could get out of the way safely of traffic. This would have been for most of the time horse traffic, including the stagecoach from Edinburgh to Newcastle.
	Canongate Bridge Jedburgh. Built in the 16th century, the main entrance to the town.



Bordering the riverside walk, this picnic area is an ideal point to relax in the early morning sunshine.	Jedburgh Abbey as seen from the Riverside Walk

Jedburgh Castle Gaol - This was built on the site of a Royal Castle constructed to defend the town from southern attacks. The Royal Castle would have overlooked the entire town. Although the precise date when the castle was built is in doubt, it was in existence in the 12th century as King Malcolm IV died there in 1165.



Jedburgh Castle Gaol. Now a museum containing many pieces of local history. This is a web view of a panoramic photograph created from 4 separate images stitched together digitally. For quality photographic services in the Scottish Borders visit www.borderpics.co.uk

The Castle was demolished in 1409 on the orders of Regent Albany. By 1819, all that was left on the hill was the town’s gallows. The following year, work started on the construction of a prison based on the design principles of the penal reformer John Howard. No longer a prison, the building now serves as a local history museum and here you can see videos on local events such as Handba' and the Jethart Callant's Festival.


	MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS HOUSE Recently renamed as Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre, this property tells the story of Mary Queen of Scots , her tragic life, and of her visit to Jedburgh in 1566. Audio Tours are available. The grounds of Mary Queen Of Scots House are beautifully kept and are sheltered by walled gardens enclosing a variety of flowers, trees and shrubs. A tranquil spot to catch your breath as you decide where to visit next in Jedburgh.
Mary Queen Of Scots House - Jedburgh. Jedburgh Abbey stands in the background.

Gateway To The Borders