Which? readers have named a town in the Scottish Borders as the best destination in Scotland, with the area earning perfect five-star ratings for its scenery and peace and quiet
Scotland’s finest town has been crowned in a fresh study, praised for its stunning setting and captivating past.
This is as per the consumer website Which?, which has just published a rundown of “the UK’s best towns and villages”. More than 9,000 readers from the consumer champion rated locations nationwide on criteria including tranquillity and culinary offerings, with each destination receiving an overall ‘destination score’.
Topping the Scottish rankings is Melrose, which secured a destination score of 78 per cent. The town and civil parish sits in the Scottish Borders, roughly an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.
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According to Which?, Melrose bagged perfect five-star marks for its landscape, beauty, and serenity. The town nestles beside the Eildon Hills, boasting three stunning peaks and serving as a beloved walking spot, whilst also marking the beginning of the 62-mile St Cuthbert’s Way.
Additional picturesque locations nearby include Harmony Garden and Priorwood Garden, reports the Daily Record. The first features the grounds of 19th-century Harmony House with manicured grass and produce plots, whilst Priorwood Garden offers a charming walled space with diverse sections to discover. Melrose also earned four out of five stars for its visitor attractions.
The town’s most prominent draw is Melrose Abbey, a partially demolished monastery stretching back to the 12th century. Meanwhile, the Trimontium Museum in Melrose celebrates one of the largest Roman fortresses north of Hadrian’s Wall. The acclaimed attraction showcases an array of relics unearthed during the past century.
The settlement also secured a four-star rating for its culinary offerings, boasting an impressive range of tearooms, public houses, and dining establishments. Leading venues include the classic Ship Inn pub, local bistro Marmions Brasserie, and Italian restaurant Monte Cassino.
However, the town managed just three out of five stars for retail prospects. Nevertheless, Melrose hosts numerous independent boutiques. Amongst the most favoured establishments in the area are womenswear specialist Sarah Thomson and wine merchant Abbey Fine Wines. Additionally, Simply Delicious offers artisan chocolate, ice cream, jarred confectionery, and more.
Which? noted: “The three peaks of the Eildon Hills provide the backdrop to this most Scottish of towns. Small, ancient, and built of red sandstone, it grew up around the abbey, now ruined, which was established in 1136 and still houses the heart of national hero Robert the Bruce, buried in a casket in the grounds.
“The St Cuthbert’s Way, a 62-mile walk to Holy Island, also starts at the abbey, but there are more leisurely options. These include two National Trust for Scotland gardens: Priorwood, with beautiful views across the abbey, and Harmony Garden, with its flowering bulbs and Georgian manor house.
“Otherwise, Melrose is a place to potter, stopping for refreshment at one of countless tea rooms or enjoying a wee dram at one of the charming old inns.”
Meanwhile, Wells in Somerset claimed the crown as the UK’s finest-rated town or village. The cathedral city and civil parish scored an impressive 83 per cent destination rating, with Which? praising its “awe-inspiring” cathedral and bustling markets. The complete rankings of Britain’s top towns and villages are available on the Which? website.
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