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The white lattice deck of the Chain Bridge hanging across the River Tweed from its stone tower, with a heron in the shallows below.
Scottish Borders

The Chain Bridge

A chain suspension footbridge of 1826 over the Tweed between Melrose and the village of Gattonside.

Welcome

There's something special about crossing the Tweed on a bridge that has carried walkers over the river for two centuries.

The Chain Bridge opened on 26 October 1826 and hangs on two pairs of iron chains from castellated stone towers, with a span of about 300 feet. Look for the old notices at either end, still asking that no more than eight people cross at once and that nobody makes it swing. Repairs in 1991 took the swing out anyway. The little house at the Melrose end was the toll house, built with the bridge, and its door once faced straight along the deck so the keeper could see who was crossing. The Southern Upland Way crosses the river here, so it's a lovely start to a riverside walk. Keep an eye on the river for goosanders and grey herons.

A short drive awayRhymer’s StoneA memorial stone of 1929 near Melrose marking where Thomas the Rhymer is said to have met the Queen of Elfland under the Eildon Tree.4 min by roadSee itThe Rhymer's Stone, a small upright memorial stone on a cobbled base in front of bushes.
Before you go

Open at any time, all year.

Where
Over the Tweed on the north side of Melrose, between the town and Gattonside.
Getting there
From the Market Square, walk along the High Street towards St Mary's Road and take the path past Melrose Parish Church and the war memorial down to the river, then turn right along the riverside path to the bridge: about 15 minutes.
Parking
The Abbey car park on Buccleuch Street, which charges, with toilets on Abbey Street nearby.
Walks
The Paths Around Melrose leaflet has circular walks over the bridge from the Abbey car park.

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Where it is

Over the Tweed on the north side of Melrose, between the town and the village of Gattonside.

Close byMelrose and the Tweed.
  1. Harmony GardenHarmony GardenA peaceful walled garden of lawns, scented borders and fruit and vegetable beds round a Georgian house in Melrose, with views of the abbey and the Eildons.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. Melrose AbbeyMelrose AbbeyThe magnificent red sandstone ruin of Scotland's first Cistercian abbey, founded in 1136, where Robert the Bruce's heart is buried.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Abbotsford, Home of Sir Walter ScottAbbotsford, Home of Sir Walter ScottSir Walter Scott's romantic house by the Tweed near Melrose, which he built and filled with his library and collections, and where he died in 1832.3 miles 7 min by road
  4. Leaderfoot ViaductLeaderfoot ViaductA soaring nineteen-arch railway viaduct of 1865 over the Tweed near Melrose, 130 feet high and restored in the 1990s.3 miles 6 min by road
  5. Stone tower with sash window above a white-framed door and lanternOld Gala HouseThe 16th-century home of the Lairds of Galashiels, now a free museum and gallery with a painted ceiling of 1635 and gardens.4 miles 11 min by road
  6. The Great Tapestry of Scotland's modern pale stone gallery with a zigzag roofline on a sunny street corner in Galashiels.The Great Tapestry of ScotlandA purpose-built gallery in Galashiels for 160 stitched panels made by more than 1,000 people, telling Scotland's story from 8500 BC to today.5 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Inside the Trimontium Museum: Roman cavalry armour, helmets, a painted shield and a silver face-mask helmet in dark cases lit red.AttractionsTrimontium Museum0.4 miles
Burts Hotel in Melrose, a white-painted 18th-century inn with black window surrounds and red window boxes.RestaurantsBurts Hotel0.6 miles
The Rhymer's Stone, a small upright memorial stone on a cobbled base in front of bushes.AttractionsRhymer’s Stone1.7 miles
Whitewashed dining room with black chairs, wine racks and pendant lightsRestaurantsThe Hoebridge2.9 miles
Empty bar stools face shelves of spirits behind a panelled counterRestaurantsBuccleuch Arms4.5 miles
Café interior with wooden tables, chalkboard menu and a "Deli & Home" signShoppingThe Mainstreet Trading Company4.8 miles
Three-peaked Eildon Hills rise above patchwork fields and woodland in the BordersAttractionsScott’s View5.0 miles
The giant red sandstone statue of William Wallace with sword and shield on a tall plinth against a blue sky.AttractionsWallace Statue6.1 miles
Ruined stone walls and arched windows of Dryburgh Abbey under grey skyAttractionsDryburgh Abbey7.1 miles

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The Daily for 22 October, from Scotland with love. An aerial view of the Kylesku Bridge curving across a sea loch at sunset, Sutherland

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Stay nearby

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

A grey stone farmhouse with several chimneys stands against rolling hills, a wildflower meadow in the foreground.The Scullery
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Yarrow
  • 13 miles from the Chain Bridge
Free 13–15 NovThe 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
  • 15 miles from the Chain Bridge
Free 29–31 OctPlaces 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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