Of the abbey towns in the Scottish Borders, Melrose is possibly the prettiest, tucked at the foot of the Eildon Hills with the River Tweed nearby. It is a small, friendly place -- more village than town -- but it punches well above its weight for things to see.
Melrose Abbey is the main draw, founded in the twelfth century by Cistercian monks and once part of a great monastery. The ruins are atmospheric and beautifully carved, and the abbey holds a particular claim to fame: the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried here, in a lead casket discovered during excavations in 1921. The abbey sits on the Borders Abbeys Way, a 65-mile circular trail linking four historic abbeys -- Melrose, Jedburgh, Kelso, and Dryburgh -- all built during the reign of King David I.
Nearby, Abbotsford House was the home of Sir Walter Scott and is well worth the short detour, while the old Roman site at Trimontium has an exhibition covering the fort that once stood at the foot of the Eildons. Two National Trust for Scotland gardens — Priorwood and Harmony — round out the attractions. Climb Eildon Hill for a 360-degree view over the Tweed valley. For its size, Melrose offers a remarkably full day out.