“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Sunday 23 August 2015

My Sunday Photo... Melrose Abbey

The magnificent ruin of Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders.

I don't usually write any words with my Sunday Photo post but this week I thought decided I would because this incredible abbey deserved them. 

Unfortunately, when we were passing through Melrose the abbey wasn't open to the public so therefore this is the nearest I could get to take photo's.

More facts about the abbey: 
Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale, with lavishly decorated masonry.
It dates back to 1136 when it was founded by King David 1 and was the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland.
The exterior of this magnificent ruin is decorated by unusual sculptures, including hobgoblins, cooks with ladles and a bagpipe playing pig.
The abbey grew rich on the wool trade suffered through the Wars of Independence and was substantially rebuilt in 1380's. It continued in use as an abbey until the Protestant Reformation of 1560. After that, the existing monks were allowed to stay on: the last one died in 1590.
Another interesting fact is the abbey is the supposedly, the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, which is marked with a commemorative carved stone plaque.
When the abbey is open visitors can also visit a small museum housing a display of artefacts found within the abbey.
Maybe I will return when it is open to the public to take close-up photographs.
I'm linking as usual to One Dad 3 Girls link so if you'd like to see more photos then click on the link.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone and thanks for stopping by.
OneDad3Girls

37 comments:

  1. As stunning building looking even more magnificent in the sunshine.

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    1. It was fabulous and although the sun was out it was still a little chilly for my liking.
      Roll on summer I say ;D
      Enjoy your Sunday

      Delete
  2. Hi Neesie. That is beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks for the info on it. Looks like there are quite a few graves there. Take care. Happy PPF!

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    1. There were GlorV1, but we couldn't wander around on this particular day. Last Sunday's photo of the Kelso abbey also had lots of ancient gravestones which were fascinating to read.
      I've always loved to wander and read the historical stones.
      Have fun and enjoy your weekend.

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  3. What a beautiful image, a lovely old building set against such a clear sky x

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    1. It was a beautiful day Victoria but still a little too fresh for my liking. I'm still waiting for summer!
      At least I was able to capture the abbey with that blue sky.
      Have a great Sunday and thanks for your visit

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  4. It's really is magnificent, I hope you do go back, I'd love to see inside :) #MySundayPhoto

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    1. Well there's not really an inside as such Tara, it's a ruin and basically just small parts of the architecture remain. You can still see where the walls have been and there's still lots to see so if I'm that way again I'll certainly be revisiting because it is magnificent.
      Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your lovely comment,

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  5. What a gorgeous building Neesie and it looks like it was a beautiful day too. Lovely photo x

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    1. It was on all accounts Cathy,
      We were travelling around the Scottish Borders and saw lots of magnificent things and the weather was good too. So a win-win situation.
      I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for visiting my place.

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  6. What a stunning building! The photo is made even better by the bright blue sky and green grass :)

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    1. Thanks Sarah, I was pleased that the weather was so good but disappointed that I couldn't get nearer. I'll obviously have to revisit sometime.
      Thanks for your visit and comment. Enjoy your weekend

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  7. Great photo. I love churches and their grounds. And I love how you've captured the bright blue sky and luscious green grass x x

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    1. This abbey is steeped with history and atmosphere. It really is mind-boggling to look at these abbeys and think how they managed to build them way back then, without modern technology or machinery.
      Have a great weekend and thanks for your comment.

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  8. isn't it gorgeous? and what a lovely day it was for you- sunny and blue. we went there many years ago. we thought it was splendid.

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    1. Thankfully it was a great day weather-wise... still a little chilly but the sky was very clear. The grass is so green because we've had so much rain!
      Hopefully the remaining 'summer' will be hot (ha!)
      Great to hear that you've visited the abbey. Hopefully, you managed to go nearer.
      Thanks for your lovely comment and I hope you have a great weekend.

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  9. The building looks so majestic! So romantic and calm in there =) #mysundayphoto

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    1. It never ceases to amaze me when I see such a beautiful magnificent ruin like this abbey. They have an incredible atmosphere and are such special places to visit.
      Have a great Sunday

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  10. That looks like a very interesting place, certainly somewhere that would be nice to explore, shame it was closed to the public! Great photo x

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    1. The abbey isn't always closed to the public, so maybe I'll be luckier next time and be able to enter the grounds.
      Enjoy your Sunday

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  11. What an amazing photo Nessie. The clear blue skies and that green green grass frame the Abbey and your shot beautifully. Would love you to link up to #MyAugustPhoto :)
    Our Seaside Baby

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    1. Thank you... but it's not difficult to take a good photo of such a magnificent architectural ruin. But having the weather behave certainly helped.
      Have a great weekend.

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  12. What a grand looking Abbey, seems to be standing so proud in the sunshine

    Thank you for linking up

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    1. Isn't it just Darren,
      It is magnificent, but I was disappointed that we weren't able to enter the grounds. If I'm ever that way again then I'll be sure to revisit.
      It's just unfortunate that it wasn't open on the day that we visited.

      Delete
  13. Fab pic of an awesomely regal building!! I'm drooling over this arched windows. Saving this pic so I can enlarge and for a closer look at the details. Really cool.

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    1. I'm sorry that I couldn't enter the grounds to get some close-ups for you... maybe next time ;D
      It really was a stunning site.
      I'm glad that you enjoyed my post. Have a wonderful Sunday and I'll hopefully see you again soon.

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  14. What a grand Abbey - thanks for some history. I certainly hope you can go back Nessie and explore and take more pictures. If not for you than for us!!!!! Now I am going to bop over and look at more photos.
    Sandy xx

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    1. I can't believe that on the day we were in the area, the abbey was closed.
      I definitely will take more photo's if I get to revisit. I'd certainly like to as it is a stunning ruin with masses of history.
      Have fun and enjoy your Sunday.

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  15. Replies
    1. It is indeed Kim although it's only a ruin now and unfortunately not a building.
      There's only a few walls standing.
      Have a great Sunday

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  16. such a beauty! Amazing place to live or visit, thanks for bringing us here,

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    1. Unfortunately Laurie, it's only a ruin now.
      There's masses of history contained within the site and I'm sorry that it wasn't open when we visited so that I could take more close up photographs.
      It was my pleasure to take you with me ;D
      Have a great Sunday

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  17. This is a beautiful shot and a stunning Abbey!! I love that it is so sunny! xx
    #MySundayPhoto

    http://www.amomentwithfranca.com/

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    1. Thank you Franca,
      I was thrilled that the weather was so good. It is a stunning Abbey and one which I'd like to revisit.
      Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for visiting my place.

      Delete
  18. What a magnificent building, we really do know how to build them grand in the UK
    Mollyxxx

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  19. Oh that is beautiful! What a great photograph!!

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