Jedburgh (pronounced "Jed-bur-uh") is a town, population 4,100, in the Borders region of southern Scotland. Jedburgh is best known for the remains of Jedburgh Abbey and its historical associations as a border town, located a mere 10 miles from the border with England.
Get in
Jedburgh is on the A68 which links Edinburgh and North East England via the Scottish Borders.
Borders Bus 51 / 52 runs every two hours daily from Edinburgh along the A68, via Dalkeith, Lauder, Earlston, and St Boswells to Jedburgh and Kelso.
Bus 131 (run by Peter Hogg) runs Mon-Sat from Jedburgh along A68 / A696 to Otterburn, Newcastle Airport and Newcastle. It runs south to Newcastle in the morning and returns north to Jedburgh early afternoon.
Get around
Buses are fairly frequent along the main transport corridor, Galashiels, Tweedbank, Melrose, Newton St Boswells & Jedburgh. Cycling is good for the back roads although the town is built on a hill so bikers should be prepared.
See
- 1 Jedburgh Abbey, Abbey Bridge End TD8 6JQ, ☏ 44 1835 863925. Apr-Sept daily 09:30-17:30, Oct-Mar daily 10:00-16:00. This ruined but still-imposing abbey was founded in 1138 and was a frequent target for invading English armies. There is a cloister and herb garden, and a visitor centre containing 8th century carvings and artefacts excavated from the abbey grounds. Adult £6.
- Mary Queen of Scots House, Queen St Jedburgh TD8 6EN. Mar-Nov M-Sa 09:30-16:30, Su 10:30-16:00. 16th C tower house. In 1566 Mary QoS stayed here, and made a long excursion to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell out at Hermitage Castle. On return she was taken seriously ill, the cause isn't clear, but she eventually recovered and returned to Edinburgh. There are "Mary QoS slept here" sites all over Scotland, but that was normal for a peripatetic medieval ruler, especially one with multiple enemies that she needed to stay ahead of. Free.
- 2 Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum, Castlegate TD8 6AS. Mar-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 13:00-16:00. The castle was demolished in 1409, but rebuilt as a prison in 1823. Wander round a recreated 1820s prison and see town history in the governor's house. Free.
- Ferniehirst Castle, two miles south of town on A68, occasionally hires out for functions but isn't normally open to the public.
Do
- Mounthooley is a golf driving range 3 miles north of town on A698 towards Kelso. With restaurant "Caddy Mann" and small guest house.
- Watch rugby union at Jedforest, who play in Scottish National League Division One. This is the second tier of Scottish rugby, where the players are amateurs fitting in a day-job, though many from here have gone on to international fame. Jedforest Sevens are held in May: the next is probably Sat 15 May 2021 but tbc. The home pitch is on A68 at the north edge of town.
- Jedburgh Border Games are held here, usually second Saturday in July. The next event is tbc but probably Sat 10 July 2021.
Buy
- Edinburgh Woollen Mill is north end of town on the main road.
Eat
- 1 The Forresters Restaurant SB, 23 Castle Gate, ☏ 44 1835 862380.
- 2 The Caddy Mann, Mounthooly, ☏ 44 1835 850787.
Drink
Born in the Borders is a brewery, gin micro-distillery and cafe / restaurant at Lanton Mill Cottage, Jedburgh TD8 6ST. It's off A698 between Jedburgh and Hawick, prominently signposted. It's open daily 10:00-17:00; lunch served 12:00-15:00. They also have outlet shops at Tweedbank and Galashiels railway stations.
Sleep
- Lilliardsedge is a caravan park and campsite along A68 midway between St Boswells and Jedburgh. Open all year.
- Willow Court, The Friars Jedburgh TD8 6BN, ☏ 44 1835 863702. This B&B has been closed for refurbishment. They intend to re-open in 2019 but date not known.
- 1 Spread Eagle Hotel, 20 High St TD8 6AG. Small 3-star hotel with public bar. B&B double from £90.
Connect
Jedburgh has a 4G signal from all UK carriers. As of Dec 2020, 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
- A few miles north up A68 is Melrose and St Boswells / Dryburgh, with two ruined abbeys and the grand Abbotsford House. Further north, cross Soutra Moor and head for Edinburgh.
- Branch northeast on A698 to Kelso, with another abbey (so that's your full set of four) and Floors Castle. Then follow the border via Coldstream, Norham Castle and Paxton House to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
- Take A698 west to Hawick, and bimble along A7 the old road between Edinburgh and Carlisle.
- Roads south cross into England, the main route being A68 / A696 towards Newcastle. A scenic minor road B6357 branches off just south of town, wandering via Bonchester Bridge and Newcastleton eventually to meet A7 at Canonbie.