Melrose Sevens

Hong Kong, Dubai and Melrose might not outwardly have much in common, but they have a solid sporting link, in that they all play host to world-famous rugby sevens tournaments – and the Scottish town has a heritage that far outstrips its more exotic contemporaries. Dating back to 1883, the Melrose Sevens still take place every April (pandemic notwithstanding), drawing international teams and big crowds to the picturesque Melrose Rugby Football Club.

This is, of course, no coincidence. The sport itself – a condensed form of the more familiar 15-a-side game – was invented right here in the Borders, and has grown in popularity to the point where it’s now an established part of both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.