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A brick railway viaduct of many arches crosses a wide river valley, reflected in the shallow water below and framed by green hills.
Scottish Borders

Leaderfoot Viaduct

A soaring nineteen-arch railway viaduct of 1865 over the Tweed near Melrose, 130 feet high and restored in the 1990s.

Welcome

Just east of Melrose, the Leaderfoot Viaduct strides across the River Tweed on nineteen tall arches, 130 feet above the water and more than 900 feet long.

It is built of red brick on piers of rosy sandstone.

It was built for the Berwickshire Railway, which linked the Waverley Line to the east coast by way of Duns and Earlston. The viaduct was officially opened in 1863, but trouble with its stability delayed the first trains until 1865. Floods in 1948 badly damaged the line and nearly brought about its demolition, but in the early 1990s it was restored, and it is now one of the most important railway structures in Britain.

There are good views from the riverbank and from the road bridge alongside. In evening light the arches glow red over the water.

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Before you go

Seen from the banks of the Tweed and the road bridge beside it at any hour.

Where
The Tweed near Melrose.
Height
130 feet.
Arches
Nineteen.

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Did you know

A brick railway viaduct of many arches crosses a river, a gravel path following the bank beneath its reflection in the water.
Did you know

A late start.

The viaduct was officially opened in November 1863, but stability problems meant trains could not use it until October 1865.

An aerial view at dusk shows a brick railway viaduct with many arches crossing a river valley, hills and farmland stretching into the distance.
Did you know

Saved in the 1990s.

Flood damage in 1948 almost led to the viaduct's demolition, before it was restored in the early 1990s.

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Where it is

Over the Tweed east of Melrose, beside the road bridge.

Close byThe Tweed.
  1. Apple trees in blossom in the orchard at Priorwood Garden, with the red stone ruin of Melrose Abbey beyond the wall.Priorwood GardenA walled garden in the ancient precinct of Melrose Abbey, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland.2 miles as the crow flies
  2. Inside the Trimontium Museum: Roman cavalry armour, helmets, a painted shield and a silver face-mask helmet in dark cases lit red.Trimontium MuseumA museum on Melrose's Market Square telling the story of Trimontium, the Roman fort a mile and a half east at Newstead.2 miles as the crow flies
  3. The white lattice deck of the Chain Bridge hanging across the River Tweed from its stone tower, with a heron in the shallows below.The Chain BridgeA chain suspension footbridge of 1826 over the Tweed between Melrose and the village of Gattonside.2 miles as the crow flies
  4. Scott’s ViewScott’s ViewScott's favourite view nearby.2 miles 3 min by road
  5. The Rhymer's Stone, a small upright memorial stone on a cobbled base in front of bushes.Rhymer’s StoneThe stone that foretold a bridge.3 miles 5 min by road
  6. Melrose AbbeyMelrose AbbeyThe great abbey at Melrose.4 miles 6 min by road
Directions
Whitewashed dining room with black chairs, wine racks and pendant lightsRestaurantsThe Hoebridge2.0 miles
The giant red sandstone statue of William Wallace with sword and shield on a tall plinth against a blue sky.AttractionsWallace Statue3.1 miles
Burts Hotel in Melrose, a white-painted 18th-century inn with black window surrounds and red window boxes.RestaurantsBurts Hotel3.2 miles
Gravel path between flowerbeds leads to a wooden door in a stone wallAttractionsHarmony Garden3.3 miles
The main lawn at Mertoun Gardens in early summer, with tall conifers behind and azaleas in flower along the border.AttractionsMertoun Gardens3.3 miles
Empty bar stools face shelves of spirits behind a panelled counterRestaurantsBuccleuch Arms3.4 miles
Café interior with wooden tables, chalkboard menu and a "Deli & Home" signShoppingThe Mainstreet Trading Company3.7 miles
Ruined stone walls and arched windows of Dryburgh Abbey under grey skyAttractionsDryburgh Abbey4.1 miles
The Great Tapestry of Scotland's modern pale stone gallery with a zigzag roofline on a sunny street corner in Galashiels.AttractionsThe Great Tapestry of Scotland5.2 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the viaduct, and when each is next free.

The House in the Hill at dusk, its turf roof over walls of local stone and glass, a bedroom lit inside and the hot tub at the corner.The House in the Hill
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Jedburgh
  • 14 miles from the Leaderfoot Viaduct
Free 22–24 NovA grey stone farmhouse with several chimneys stands against rolling hills, a wildflower meadow in the foreground.The Scullery
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Yarrow
  • 15 miles from the Leaderfoot Viaduct
Free 13–15 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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