Robin, Susan Girdwood and their family would like to extend a warm welcome to all guests and visitors to The Old Priory Bed and Breakfast and to our beautiful town of Kelso in the heart of the Scottish Borders.
We offer traditional bed and breakfast hospitality.
Our rooms are considered to be what hotels call superior and we aim to provide a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
We are centrally situated, within a short walk from all of the towns restaurants,
for wedding guests
Ednam House is only 100 yards, a quick totter on high heels!
Hopefully your first visit to us will not be your last!
The Old Priory Bed and Breakfast is in a Grade B listed building, which was built in 1796 by Henry Swan who
was a writer (solicitor), as either an office or as his home next to his office.
The Old Priory Bed and Breakfast is a classic Georgian Town House sitting in two worlds, the frontage is on Woodmarket while the rear overlooks the Old Parish Church in Abbey Row, the Abbey and Abbey grounds are just at the end of Abbey Row.
Sir Walter Scott's Great Grandfather was born in the building next door, and Sir Walter Scott stayed with his Aunt in a
house just round the corner whilst going to school in Kelso.
Our Bed and Breakfasts walled Garden provides off road parking and a haven in the town for our guests. Kelso is a vibrant town with events such as the Jim Clark Rally, Border Union Show, Civic Week, Regular Horse Race Meetings, British Motorcycle Federation Show and many more events throughout the year.We have a very flexible layout and can accommodate most parties. We have twin beds, doubles and the Family Suite.
We find that this is particularly useful
for fishing,
walking and golfing parties.
Our Sitting Room provides a huge space in which to have a glass of wine while you plan your next outing. The Sitting Room overlooks the garden and the church. The garden is enclosed and we encourage guests to use it. The Old Priory is perfectly situated for exploring the Borders and North Northumberland. Alnwick Castle, famous for its new gardens and the background of the Harry Potter films, Bamburgh Castle, Norham Castle, Berwick on Tweed, St.Abbs Head, Coldingham Bay and Lindisfarne, Holy Island are all within stricking distance of Kelso. The wonderful sandy beaches on the East coast are 30 miles from Kelso. Berwick on Tweed is the nearest railway station to us and is usually the start of the Coast and Castles Cycle Route.
The Borderloop Cycle Tour, Tweed Cycleway and the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route all pass through Kelso.
Floors Castle, Mellerstain House, Paxton House, Manderston , Abbotsford, Hermitage Castle, Thirlestaine Castle, Dryburgh Abbey, Smailholm Tower, the William Wallace Statue, Melrose Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey and, and, of course Kelso Abbey are all within easy reach of Kelso along with many other historic sites.The Border towns of Jedburgh, Hawick, Galashiels, Selkirk and Melrose are all a leisurely drive through our beautiful countryside. Edinburgh is 42 miles and Kelso is a great
base if you want to explore Edinburgh. Newcastle ferry terminal is approx 60miles.
Golf is an attraction to our area and we have numerous golf clubs that are available to visitors through the excellent package that VisitScotland promote called Freedom of the Fairways. This allows you to play on a wide variety of courses including the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course and Cardrona in Peeblesshire and gives you a chance to see more of the Borders.The River Tweed is famous for its salmon fishing and the Junction Pool, the meeting place of the River Tweed and River Teviot, is one of the most sought after places to fish. A leisurely half hour can be spent on the old bridge watching the
fishermen and admiring the view to Floors Castle.
Springwood Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, as well as the Border Union Show. This year sees the return of the Honda Goldwing motorcycles a spectacle much enjoyed a few years back, the regular Championship Dog Show, many other dog shows, Tweed Angling Fair, Scottish National Scooter Rally, the British Motorbike Federation , Wedding Fairs and of course the Ram Sales all take place in the showground.
Kelso has other events throughout the year, Kelso Races, “Britain’s friendliest course”, attracts many visitors, the Jim Clark Rally in May has become a huge draw to the town, Civic Week, St.James’ Fair and the Massed Pipebands at Floors Castle are all reasons to come.
