Kelso

Kelso is full of architectural and historic interests. In 1128 David I permitted monks to build an abbey across the water from his castle, Roxburgh.

Even in its fragmented state, this is a superb piece of architecture. To the west, a grassy mound, a deep ditch and a few ruined walls are all that remain of the once mighty Roxburgh Castle. James II was killed during a siege here in 1460 by an exploding cannon. The spacious Kelso Square claims to be the largest in Scotland. The Bull Ring remains at its centre, a reminder of past market days. The square is now host to many specialist shops. The graceful five-arched bridge over the Tweed, built by John Rennie in 1803, was the model for London’s Waterloo Bridge. Floors Castle, Scotland’s largest inhabited house, stands in parkland overlooking the Tweed. It holds outstanding collections of paintings, furniture, porcelain and tapestry.