DRYBURGH ABBEY

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 15

DRYBURGH ABBEY

A VISIT TO THE DISTRICT [Written by AL, for the ‘Evening Star.’J “Earl Haig is to bo buried at Dryburgh Abbey.” Some time ago the writer was privileged to visit Dryburgb Abbey, “ probably the most picturesque monastic ruin in Great Britain,” and some of his memories may help the reader to picture the scene enacted there (bis week. Dryburgh is about Ihroo or four miles distant from Melrose, a little (own in the border county of Roxburgh, Scotland, Alclrosc itself being famous for its ruined abbey. Taking the Edinburgh train Irom Carlisle, in the north of England, wo soon crossed the border into Scotland, and after traversing for a short while country for the most part wooded and beautiful, we broke our journey at Alclrosc, and were in the heart of the Sir Walter Scott country. This district positively teems with literary, historical, and legendary associations. A short drive in one direction brings us to Abbotsford, the magnificent home built by Sir Walter—Abbotsford, that “ romance in stone and lime, the grandest house over erected by a literary man.” Hero one inspects the novelist’s library, ins care relics, and lingers long gazing at the magnificent view in front of Ids old home. Near to Alelrose rise tbo Eildon Hills, famous .in song and story. From tho summit of one of them a wonderfully comprehensive view was obtained. The groat novelist once said that from this view-point lie could indicate forty-throe places famous in war or verse. When climbing the hill we realised a difference between New Zealand and Scottish eminences. A New Zealand hill is higher than it looks; in Scotland, owing to different atmospheric conditions, a hill looks higher than it is. We did not see any fairies on the Eildons, only some matter-of-fact men and women playing gulf on the lower slopes.

The ruined Alelrose Abbey is the outstanding feature of the little town of Melrose. On viewing the abbey we could fully understand the significance of the lines If thou wouldst view fair Alelrose aright, Go, visit it by the pale moonlight. In the clear daylight the abbey shows walls drab and discolored, and pressing upon one side of it are some of the oldest, and most commonplace, houses of the town. But if lacking in picturesque surroundings, Alelrose Abbey is most beautiful in elaboration of detail in its architecture. At Alelrose wc encountered an instance of that preciseness which lias helped to bring to tho Scot fame and distinction the world over. Driving past the walls of a. building recently destroyed by lire, our driver remarked, “ A'oii boose was burnt doon at five minutes tae sax o’clock amonth come next Friday morning.” Then came our visit to Dry burgh Abbey, distant from Alelrose only a few miles. The drive thither took ns through country resembling in many respects the wooded parts of Otago. AVo found Dry burgh Abbey standing in a charmingly secluded situation, on a semi-circular piece of laud, hidden among ancient yew and beech trees, with the River Tweed sweeping, broad and swift, around it. Crossing the Tweed by a foot-bridge, and walking through an aisle of trees, we readied the ruined abbey. The great beauty of this hallowed place revealed itself to us at once. Flowers and ivy have lovingly covered up its ancient wounds, and about it are expanses of beautiful green sward. Dryburgh Abbey was erected by an order of monks who came from England. Alore than once the English, in their raids, destroyed it, and on one occasion Bruce assisted in its restoration. After its spoliation in Reformation times the people of the district removed a great many of the stones, and (o-day there is not a groat deal of the abbey left. Still to bo seen, however, arc two old dungeons where tho monks who misbehaved themselves were imprisoned; also the wine cellars, in which were stored tho. good things of tho abbey. We wandered through the old cloisters, running round a stretch of delightful sward, and visited the ancient chapter house, where in a corner was to be seen an ancient Druidicnl wen, and carved Paschal Lamb. In a detached fragment—once tho north transept and now called St. Alary’s Aisle—Sir Walter Scott lies buried beside his wife. No more beautiful resting place could he imagined than this old_ abbey, with its picturesque surroundings—a resting place in tho heart of the scenes ahoufc'whinh Scott sang. AVo saw the abbey on a sunny summer dav when all Nature was smiling. To-day‘the trees will be leafless, and the old abbey sad and sombre, befitting tho occasion when Earl Haig is to complete his Inst journey.