Jedburgh

Scotland > South of Scotland > Roxburghshire > Jedburgh

Located on the A68, 14 miles east of Hawick and approx. 10 miles from the English border.

Because of its position it was fought over for centuries by the Scots and English armies.

The town can trace its roots back as far as the 9th century when a church was built on what is now the site of Jedburgh Abbey. The Abbey was founded out of an earlier priory in 1147. The castle was occupied by the opposing forces many times during a very trubulent past, before being destroyed by the Scots themselves to deny the English its strategic value.

There is also a museum of Mary Queen of Scots house, supposedly occupied by her during her stay in 1566.

Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in the town in 1745 on his route to fight down through England to Derby. Robert Burns and Wordsworth both lodged over in the town.

Sir Walter Scott visited on various occasions in his roll as an advocate from 1793.

Proud of being the only royal burgh in Roxburghshire, the town today is still a place of pride to its inhabitants. Like many other places in the Borders rugby still plays an important part in the town. The popular "seven-a-sides" was invented by a Jedburgh man.

The traditional game of handba' is still played, it is said to have originated from the time when the Scots played with the heads of slain Englishmen.