Borders Wedding Venues - Dryburgh Abbey Hotel
With rolling green hills, hundreds of stately homes and the mighty River Tweed, the Scottish Borders are an ideal wedding location. You might call me biased, given I am a local in these parts and ScotlandShop HQ is based her, but I can't think of anywhere better to tie the knot. To add evidence to this claim in 2017 we very first spoke to the staff at this wonderful wedding venue and this year we returned again as part of our celebration of the area and River Tweed.
About the Venue
Dryburgh Abbey Hotel is a splendid baronial country house hotel and wedding venue sitting in 11 acres of private wooded grounds. The hotel is perfectly situated on the banks of the River Tweed in the heart of the Scottish Borders. The core of the present building was constructed in 1845, to serve as the home and private residence of Lady Baillie. In 1875 the house was updated by Lady Baillie’s brother, Lord Jerviswoode, and remained in the family until 1929 when it was purchased by the Scottish Motor Traction Company. The company added the east wing to the house and launched it as a hotel in 1932. The hotel continues to thrive; taking home 4 awards at the 2017 Scottish Hotel Awards Regional Finals, and a nomination for Wedding Venue of the Year at the 2017 Scottish Wedding Awards, Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year in 2020 as well as Wedding Hotel of the Year for the region. What more can we say?
Adjacent to the hotel is Dryburgh Abbey. Founded on the 10th of November 1150 by Hugh de Moreville, the Abbey was established by Premonstratensian canons and construction would have been spread over at least 100 years. It survived many attempted burnings by English troops, with Richard II ordering the sacking of the Abbey in 1385 as a punishment for Scottish raids on England. However, we are glad to say the Abbey stood strong during these times and flourished in the 15th century, however the Protestant Reformation of 1560 effectively ended monastic life at Dryburgh Abbey and by 1584, just two brethren remained alive.
Historic Scotland look after the Abbey today and you can wander around in the peace and tranquility of the grounds and explore the nave, the canon's own choir area, the north and south transepts or arms, cloisters buildings, the dormitory for the resident clerics, a processional door into the south aisle, a chapter house where the canons met and a "warming house" with a large fireplace. In the 12th century, Dryburgh was part of Whithorn Priory which included six Scottish houses, with Kelso, Jedburgh and Melrose the more wealthy establishments of the group. Today you can take the Border Abbeys tour and visit all four if you are in the area, and if you are feeling energetic it also makes a challenging but very beautiful bike route.
Today the historic ruins of Dryburgh Abbey serve as the burial ground of Sir Walter Scott, antiquarian and novelist, and his tomb is in the north transept which he called ‘St Mary’s Aisle’. In the 1700s, the ivy-clad ruin attracted the attention of David Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan and chief founder of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Buchan bought Dryburgh House and set about creating a charming landscape in which the ancient abbey figured prominently. When he died in 1829, he was laid to rest in its sacristy. His close friend, Scott, joined him 3 years later on 26th September 1832.
A third great Scot, Field-Marshal Earl Haig, was interred beside Scott in 1928. Haig was commander in chief of the British army in the First World War and created first earl of Bemersyde by a nation grateful for his contribution. Whenever we start investigating these things we discover other interesting facts and this same family created the world renowned Haig Club Single Grain Whisky which remained in their family until 1919. This brand is now owned by Diageo who are of course about to become our neighbours when they open their Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience on the corner of Princes Street just 20m from our Edinburgh Shop.
The village of Bemersyde is just up the hill from Dryburgh and yet another famous Scot is celebrated here. As you take the winding road upwards, you will find a statue of William Wallace to your left with a very scenic view of the Eildon Hills. This sandstone beauty was the very first Wallace Monument erected in Scotland back in 1814. Keep driving a bit further up and you will be at Scott's View, reputedly the favourite view of Sir Walter Scott and the story goes that when Scott's funeral procession passed the stunning viewpoint on its way to Dryburgh Abbey, his horses stopped out of habit, allowing their friend to have one final look at the Borders landscape he loved so dearly.
Weddings at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel
We do love a good wedding at ScotlandShop and weddings at Dryburgh incorporate the stunning location and historic background of the hotel and surrounding area. Ceremonies can be held riverside looking out on to the River Tweed, in one of the beautifully appointed event spaces with stunning views of the Borders landscape or Dryburgh can arrange ceremonies in the Chapter House at the Abbey. Imagine strolling behind the piper as he leads you from the abbey back to the hotel for champagne and strawberries on the lawn, and photos overlooking the River Tweed.
Dryburgh have a dedicated team to help you arrange your wedding, going above and beyond to ensure your special day is perfect. With outdoor weddings all the rage this you can choose to have a really personal ceremony in this exclusive setting or invite 120 guests indoors or a marquee banquet outdoors for over 200 guests. Makes me want to get married all over again!
A big thank you to Caitlin Davie from Dryburgh Abbey for co-writing this piece. If you are thinking of tying the knot, you should definitely consider Dryburgh Abbey Hotel. While you have nuptials on the brain, head over to our Weddings section and check out our fantastic range of products. If you have visited the area don't forget to share your photos and stories with us.
