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A picturesque country town,
Kelso lies in a fine setting at the junction of
the Rivers Tweed and Teviot. The town is full of
architectural and historical interest that can be
explored by following the town trail.
The abbey, founded in 1128, like others, suffered
in the border wars. The elegant Town House, built
in 1816 now houses the Tourist Information Centre,
and is situated in the centre of the spacious
Square, whilst the graceful five arched bridge
over the Tweed dates from 1803. Built by John
Rennie, it was the model for London Bridge.
In parkland overlooking the Tweed stands Floors
Castle, Scotland's largest inhabited house, with
outstanding collections of paintings, furniture,
porcelain and tapestry. To the north of Kelso is
the magnificent Adam mansion of Mellerstain and
the towers of Smailholm and Greenknowe, dating
back to the 16th century.
Teviot Water Garden 6 miles to the west of the
town offers riverside walks. To the south nestling
in the foothills of the Cheviots are the twin
villages of Town and Kirk Yetholm, noted for its
Gypsy Palace where the last Queen of the Gypsies
lived, and also for being the end of the 270 mile
Pennine Way.
Visitors to the town can enjoy free parking; local
publications include a Town Plan, mini-guide and
countryside walks. The lively programme of events
in the town reflects the predominantly
agricultural community, with the Border Union
Agricultural Show, ram and horse sales, steeple
chasing at the Race Course, point to point races,
and the Scottish Championship Dog Show. Kelso
Civic Week in July is the town's annual festival,
adopting many of the features of the older border
Common Ridings.
Places of interest include Floors Castle,
Greenknowe Tower, Hume Castle, Kelso Abbey,
Smailholm Tower, Mellerstain House, Stable
Gallery, Floors Castle Garden Centre, Mayfield
Garden Centre, The Teviot Water Gardens, The Kelso
Pottery, Kelso Golf Club (18 hole), The Roxburghe
Golf Course (Championship), the Ice Rink, Skittle
Alley and Swimming Pool.
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