 Mailros Abbey was founded ca.650 A.D. by monks from Iona and Lindisfarne within a turn of the River Tweed about two miles from the modern town of Melrose and the site of the more famous Melrose Abbey founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks.
More specifically, according to one sourse, the abbey was located on the peninsula formed by a wide eastwards bend of the River Tweed cutting into Bemersyde Hill. On the hill is the famous Scott's View overlooking the Tweed and the Mailros site. The neck of the peninsula to the west is about 1,000 feet wide and cuts off an area of approximately 60 acres. The abbey and an associated chapel site is located at the east end of the peninsula overlooking the river, just north of the 19th century house of Old Melrose and its walled garden. There is little to be seen today. The chapel mound is just that, with a few undressed stones protruding. Despite the meager remains, the site is well attested in history and has many famous and interesting persons associated with it.
The young St. Cuthbert was accepted as a novice by St. Boisel, Abbot of Mailros, in 651 A.D., eventually becoming its prior in 661 A.D. before becoming prior of Lindisfarne in 664 A.D.
About Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
St. Cuthbert's Way: Old Melrose
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Cuthbert
Wikipedia: Cuthbert
Journey to Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
The site of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose) is located off the A68 approximately two miles north of St Boswells in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland.
Streetmap UK (NGR NT588340)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for the site of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose) may be found at the geograph.org.uk website. General tourist information may be found at the Scottish Borders website.
Additional Photos of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
River Tweed Near Site of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
Interpretation Center for Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
One of Many Descriptive Signs at Interpretation Center at Site of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
Road Near Possible Earthen Vallum of Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
Possible Earthen Vallum that Once Enclosed the Monastic Buildings at Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
Possible Earthen Vallum that Once Enclosed the Monastic Buildings at Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
Possible Earthen Vallum that Once Enclosed the Monastic Buildings at Mailros Abbey (Old Melrose)
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