History of Melrose Scotland

The town of Melrose grew outwards from a collection of buildings around the main gate of its famous monastery whose mantle wall ran down the line of the present High Street opposite the Hotel. The Hotel occupies a site, which has been in use for well over three hundred years, the first indication being in Charter of Apprising by the Earl of Haddington in 1667 when property belonging to John Leithead was mentioned.

Various names are mentioned through the 1750's and 1760's but the first indication of the George Inn appears to be when David Kyle owned the property. This was the period when the Inn became famous, for, not only was Kyle a colourful personality, but he was drawn upon by Sir Walter Scott in the Introduction "The Monastery", the Waverley Novel dealing most particularly with Melrose. These days were perhaps the forerunners of the Hotel's fame as a fishing base for Kyle was ever ready to take his guests to the river and offer his advice.

Another Innkeeper to leave his mark, but in a very different way, was William Davidson, formerly a farmer near the historic house of Bemersyde. He was much involved with the United Secession Church and feued land at the rear of the Inn for a Meeting house to be built. This eventually developed into the United Presbyterian Church whose members now worship in High Cross Church.

The George Inn was well known in the coaching days, with both the Edinburgh to Jedburgh and the Edinburgh to Newcastle coaches using it on both their northward and southbound journeys. The Inn enjoyed a good reputation for looking after the travelers, and their stabling and care of the horses was considered the best in the district, the latter being important as the Melrose section of road was then one of the worst in the journey.

Sir Walter Scott was, of course, well known although the only record of his having stayed at the Inn was in 1803 when he accompanied William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy - this, of course, being before Abbotsford was built. The size of the Inn in these days may be judged from the fact that Scott and Wordsworth had to share a room, the landlady refusing to make the arrangements until she had Sir Walters agreement. The word "Abbotsford" in the present name obviously owes its inclusion to Scott's connection although it is not clear when this was first used, the earliest mention of the George and Abbotsford Hotel Company in 1876.

The building has grown over the years and its fame has changed from a coaching Inn to a fishing Hotel, but there is still a similarity between the hospitality and good service of the New Millennium and the wholesome, although generous, fare of David Kyle's day.

History of Melrose Scotland