Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey stands on the north bank of the Jed Water close to the centre of Jedburgh. According to Historic Environment Scotland, King David I founded a priory of Augustinian canons here in 1138, which was raised to abbey status in 1154; other sources give earlier dates. Despite having lost its roof, the abbey church is largely preserved: the east end has Romanesque round-arched windows and massive pillars, while the nave and west front are Gothic. The rose window in the west gable dates from around 1440. In 1285 Alexander III married Yolande de Dreux here. Because of its position near the border, the abbey was damaged several times by English armies in the Middle Ages; after the Reformation in 1560 the church served as the parish church until 1871.

Start in the visitor centre, with its exhibition and finds, including a fragment of a shrine. The viewing gallery was last reported closed (as of August 2024). Check current access and opening times with Historic Environment Scotland.