Historic Scottish Borders attraction reopens after 5 years

Kelso Abbey has been undergoing conservation work (Image: Steve Cox)

A HISTORIC attraction described as "one of the most spectacular architectural achievements in medieval Scotland" has reopened after five years of conservation work

First Minister John Swinney attended the reopening of Kelso Abbey on Friday following the completed of the work by Historic Environment Scotland.

The abbey, which is set to turn 900 in 2028, will now be open daily between 9.30am and 5pm.

The work on the historic site has included masonry consolidation, netting and re-pointing.

First Minister John Swinney and district architect Clive Cruikshank visit Kelso Abbey following recent conservation work by Historic Environment Scotland (Image: Scott Louden)

Community groups and conservation specialists joined for the ceremony in Kelso on Friday.

Swinney commented: "Kelso Abbey is one of Scotland’s most impressive historic buildings.

"To see it reopen its doors before its 900th anniversary in 2028 was a moment to savour.

"The abbey will draw thousands of visitors into the Borders, supporting jobs and benefiting businesses by boosting visitor spend throughout the region.

John Swinney visits Kelso Abbey following recent conservation work by Historic Environment Scotland. Left to right: Charles Innes-Ker Duke of Roxburghe, First Minister John Swinney, HES CEO Katerina Brown, Gavin Horsburgh Provost of Kelso (Image: Scott Louden)

"The Scottish Government’s Grant in Aid funding of Historic Environment Scotland enables their work to protect and conserve Scotland’s historic environment and Kelso Abbey shows exactly what that investment means in practice – not just for visitors, but for the communities who live alongside these remarkable places.”