Ian's Borders walk - Melrose, Romans & Cistercian Monks

Our walk today is about 14Km or 8.5 miles. We follow the course of the river Tweed downstream, with fabulous views of the Eildon hills and the rolling hills beyond the river. Points of interest are the site of Trimontium, an advanced Roman post, occupied 80 - 211 AD, sadly there are now no visible remains, but it’s amazing to think 1500 Roman soldiers once were here. The Leaderfoot bridge which was built in 1863, its spectacular 19 spans sit 38m above the River Tweed. A stone dedicated to Thomas Rhymer, a 13th century laird who was said to have supernatural powers of prophecy. On the way back we can pass through the pretty market town of Melrose, with its cistercian abbey, many individual shops and a walled secret garden. We can then find a cafe for a well earned tea, cake or an ice cream. We then cross the Tweed over the chain suspension bridge which was opened in 1826, a sign states no more than 8 may cross at a time, so we may need to split the group! We walk upstream along the Tweed before arriving back at Tweedbank station.