What's going for it? Those monks knew a thing or two about location, location, location. You rarely find a monastery anywhere ugly, do you? If you were going to spend your life holed up in one spot with nought but the good book and a nice view for solace, you'd make sure that spot was jolly darn outstanding. Melrose's Cistercians did not disappoint. These days, the abbey, while fantastic for intricate carving (loving the pig playing bagpipes), is rather lacking in mod cons, being ruined and all, but the wee town that grew up around it and the landscape beyond is stirring enough to set your mind on higher things. This is where the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried, and where the great Scottish romantic Sir Walter Scott lived, making Melrose the ground zero of Scottishness, even if Scott was driven to an early death, churning out novels to pay for his vast house he couldn't really afford. Lesson for us all there, chaps.
The case against Enough tourists sometimes to overrun this small town. Few modern thrills, beyond walks on the hills, otter-spotting and a potter round Anderson's fishmongers and poulterers.
Well connected? No. Hourly buses to Edinburgh (two hours 15 minutes), and every 30-60 minutes to Jedburgh (30 minutes). Just over an hour's drive to Edinburgh and Berwick, 90 minutes to the M74. Plans afoot to reopen the rail line from nearby Galashiels to Edinburgh by 2015.
Schools Primaries: at Melrose Primary "children's achievement is satisfactory", says Education Scotland. Secondaries: just the independent St Mary's School in town, so it's off to Galashiels Academy ("committed staff", but it needs to "raise expectations across the school") or Earlston High ("very good").
Hang out at… Tearooms galore, and old inns such as The Ship. The Wynd hosts theatre, films, concerts and even the odd gig and jig.
Where to buy I'd plump for the delightful period homes in the historic centre. On and off High Cross Avenue there are fine period terraces and detacheds; more of the same around Dingleton Road.
Market values Huge detacheds, £400,000-£650,000. Large detacheds, £250,000-£400,000. Detacheds, £150,000-£250,000. Semis, £120,000-£280,000. Terraces, £110,000-£170,000. Rentals: few come on the market, but three-bedders are £600-£700pcm.
Bargain of the week Three-bed terrace on Dingleton Road, recently reduced to £150,000, with Cullen Kilshaw.
From the streets
Keireine Canavan "Overlooked by the beautiful Eildon Hills, with wonderful walks, Melrose is a friendly, picturesque 'townlette', with independent shops and the best ice-cream shop in the Borders."
Irene Wilson "Lots of tourists, but they keep the place lively."
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