71km (44 miles) SE of Edinburgh, 19km (12 miles) NE of Jedburgh, 110km (68 miles) NW of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 19km (12 miles) E of Melrose, 39km (23 miles) W of Berwick-upon-Tweed
A typical historic border town like Jedburgh, Kelso lies at the point where the River Teviot meets the River Tweed. Sir Walter Scott called it "the most beautiful, if not the most romantic, village in Scotland." The settlement that grew up here developed into a town around Kelso Abbey.
Kelso today is a flourishing market town at the center of an agricultural district. But for visitors, the reasons to come are the ruined abbey and the palatial Floors Castle (by the great architect William Adam) and Mellerstain (begun by William but finished by his son Robert). The town is also one of the best centers for touring the Borders because it's near Jedburgh, Dryburgh Abbey, and Melrose.
