Burts Hotel, Market Square, Melrose presented by A1 Tourism

Burts Hotel, Market Square, Melrose, Scottish Borders, TD6 9PL
Telephone: 01896 822285
Fax: 01896 822870

Scottish Tourist Board 3 Stars

E-mail Establishment

Discover a world of peace and leisure

Nestling on the banks of the Tweed, in the shadow of the Eildon Hills, Melrose lies at the very heart of the Scottish Borders. It is one of Scotland's most ancient burghs, set in a valley which once attracted the Romans, who established the large fort of Trimontium. Christians from Lindisfarne followed in the 7th century, and built the predecessor of the current abbey, a little chapel at the Old Melrose, two miles from the present town.

In 1136, King David I founded the magnificent abbey, whose ruins stand in the town today, where the heart of Robert the Bruce lies buried. This land of myth and legend, of beautiful and contrasting scenery, was the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott's historic novels whose descriptions brought 18th century visitors from around the world to experience the splendour at first hand.

Despite its turbulent and often violent history, today the Borders exudes an aura of peace, tranquillity and seclusion - a distinctive region within Scotland where you can re-discover that life need not always be so hectic. It is a place where you can simply relax, wandering quiet lanes or strolling the banks of the Tweed. Or explore the abundance of nearby castles, stately homes and peel towers, or visit Edinburgh, Scotland's magnificent capital, less than an hour's drive away.

Welcome to Tranquillity and Indulgence

Relaxing and comfortable surroundings, the finest food and traditional Scottish hospitality combine to make Burts Hotel the perfect base for a peaceful break. Having discovered its charm, visitors return year after year to this comforting home from home - to fish or to walk, to play golf, or simply to delight in the season's reflection in our menu with its abundance of local game and fresh fish.

Set in Melrose's picturesque 18th century Market Square, Burts was built in 1722 as a comfortable home for a local dignitary and still reflects much of the period charm of that time. A listed building due to its architectural significance, Burts has been carefully extended and modified to offer all you would expect of a first class hotel.

For more than 30 years Burts has been managed personally by Graham and Anne Henderson, whose friendly personal attention has built the hotel's excellent reputation. Now joined by their son Nicholas and his wife Trish, the family provides each guest with every modern comfort and the ultimate in service.

Creature Comforts - A Home from Home

The hotel's 20 delightful bedrooms provide every convenience, and each is equipped with en suite facilities of the highest standard. Television, radio, telephone, tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryers are tastefully blended with the individual décor of each bedroom to create a truly restful and relaxing ambience.

Burts is always a welcoming place to return to after an outing. Put your feet up at a real blazing fire and enjoy a drink in our cheerful lounge bar, a popular meeting place where families are welcome. Here you'll find cask-conditioned ales and a fine selection of over 60 malt whiskies, tempting the taste buds for the culinary delights that lie ahead.

Or, when the weather is warm, you can relax in the late afternoon peace of the private hotel garden. There is also the comfortable resident's lounge on the first floor for a quiet read.

Burts Cuisine

Burts is renowned for its excellent cuisine which has inspired the highest praise from food guides and critics alike. The ingredients are of the finest quality, with menus offering local game, fresh fish and poultry, combined with the finest seasonal salads, vegetables and fruits. If you enjoy succulent beef, then be assured that, as members of the Scotch Beef Club, our supply comes only from Scotland's most renowned, quality assured farms.

The formal restaurant is elegant and dedicated to the culinary art. There you can choose from our regularly changing table d'hôte menu, or our extensive a la carte menu. For a true taste of the Borders you could begin with Deep-fried Wedges of Teviotdale Cheese enveloped with Smoked Salmonserved with a Whisky Marmalade, followed by Loin of Border Lamb rolled with Wild Mushrooms and Spinach centred with Kidney accompanied with a Minted Apple Chutney. To finish, Selkirk Bannock Pudding scented with Lemon accompanied with a Shortbread Ice Cream.

Both lunch and supper are also offered in the relaxing atmosphere of the lounge bar. There, you may find a menu to keep you from straying too far in the middle of the day, with lunch treats such as Steamed West Coast Mussels with Mushrooms, or a Galantine of Quail stuffed with Applesand Apricots doused with an Orange and Chervil Dressing. The extensive supper menu will tempt you with starters such as Parfait of Venison or Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Tartlets followed by a wide choice of imaginative dishes such as Medallion of Pork topped with a Tomato Mousse coated with Hot Gooseberry Chutney.

Private dining and conference facilities are also available.

Ideal Location

Burts is the ideal location to explore the beautiful countryside and heritage of the Scottish Borders at your own pace. Every rural pastime is here on your doorstep - fishing, golf, walking, cycling, pony trekking, and game shooting, to name but a few.

Nowhere in the world can boast such a wealth of salmon rivers attracting anglers from all over the world. The season is one of the longest in Scotland, running from 1st February till 30th November. One of the finest tackle shops in the Borders is to be found in Melrose Square, where both equipment and advice are readily available. Given notice, staff at the hotel can make arrangements on behalf of guests, not only to fish, but also for game shooting on local estates.

Quiet roads, deserted hills and valleys and miles of forest trails make walking, cycling or pony trekking an incomparable experience in every season. There are guided walks, horse riding centres with tuition for the novice, or whole day for the novice, or whole day ride-outs for the more experienced, and cycles for hire to suit the whole family.

Explore the Breathtaking Landscape

For the golf enthusiast, the Borders offers no less than 19 courses with uncrowded fairways and green fees difficult to match anywhere. Melrose Golf Club itself, with an elevated position providing outstanding views over the "Scott" country, offers a fair challenge to the club golfer.

No mention can be made of Melrose without the sport of rugby following closely behind. It was here that the game of 'Sevens' was invented, the first tournament having played on 28th April 1883. 'Sevens' tournaments are now held throughout the world and the Melrose annual event is one of largest and most prestigious days in the rugby calendar.

The rich Borders' history as a frontier land fired the imagination of Sir Walter Scott nearly 200 years ago, and many local historic characters filled his books. Abbotsford, the home he built on the banks of the Tweed, near Melrose, has now itself taken a place in the history, with the library and hiscollection of historic relics to be seen much as he left them. And that is only one of many country houses, castles and magnificent Adam mansions, each with classically styled parkland and estates which can now be enjoyed by everyone.

You'll find the central location of this picturesque town brings the best of the Borders within easy reach - and there can be nowhere more welcoming to return to each day than Burts Hotel.

Melrose

At the heart of the Scottish Borders, nestling between the River Tweed and the triple Eildon Hills, lies the attractive town of Melrose. Adding to the wealth of historic interest are individual, specialist shops to browse around, whilst country pursuits are close to hand.

Make the most of your stay by calling into the Tourist Information Centre, opposite the Abbey. It can answer all your questions on attractions with details of current opening times and charges.

Tariff

Effective from 1st April 2007

Single Room from £60.00
Double/Twin from £112.00

The above prices are inclusive of Full Scottish Breakfast and VAT @ 17.5%

Special Break Terms

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Two night's minimum stay

Attractive Reductions for additional nights

Single Room per person per night £85.00
Double/twin per person per night £82.00

The above prices are inclusive of Table D'Hote Dinner @ £32.75

Restaurant Lunch Table D'hote Menu £25.75
Restaurant Dinner Table D'hote Menu £32.75

Payment

We accept all major Credit Cards and debits Cards (excluding Diners Club and American Express)
Cheques can be accepted in payment when accompanied with a Bankers Card.

How to get there

From the North
Travelling on the Edinburgh Bypass, take the A68 South, signposted 'Jedburgh.' Follow the A68 through Dalkeith, Pathhead, Lauder and Earlston. At the roundabout after Earlston (approx. 3 miles), take the second exit towards Galashiels (A6091), then take the second turn to the right, signposted 'Melrose'. Burts Hotel is on the left in the Town Square.

From the South - from Newcastle
Head for Newcastle Airport, taking the A696 (A68) signposted 'Jedburgh', through Ponteland, Otterburn, Jedburgh and St Boswells. Take the first exit at the next roundabout, then the second turn to the right, signposted 'Melrose'. Burts Hotel is on the left in the Town Square.

From Carlisle
Take the A7, signposted 'Hawick' and 'Galashiels'. Follow the A7 through Longtown, Langholm, Hawick and Selkirk. Take the second exit at the first roundabout (on outskirts of Galashiels), then the second exits at the next two roundabouts. Proceed into Melrose towards the Town Square. Burts Hotel is in the square, on the right.

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