Royal Arch Melrose, unique meeting

Headed for Dryburgh Abbey, via Peebles, Galashiels, Melrose and St Boswells , all well known Border Towns. Galashiels was prticularly busy as it was their version of the Border Marches / annual ride out, and the streets were full of folks out for a good day.

Passed these old petrol pumps, out in the middle of nowhere, but still in use.

Made it to Dryburgh Abbey eventually where there were eventually about 100 Royal Arch masons gathered for the annual unique service and Degree working there. The First Principal of the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , Ian Fraser, was present with Tom Frost , his Depute , and many members of Supreme Chapter, who had travelled from all parts of Scotland.

The Degree working for the day was carried out by members of Mid and East Lothian Provincial Grand Chapter, led by the Grand Superintendent Alex Moonie, but with Bill Annand taking the Chair for the degree.

The meeting was held in the Chapter house, photos of the old Chapter and a rather hazy one of this afternoon - but the effect is very unique for this type of meeting, which had been organised by Melrose RA Chapter. The Abbey dates back to the 1100's when it was supported by King David 1st of Scotland, and eventually used by Cisterien Monks - it is beautiful now, but must have been a remarkable building in its hey day.

The bodies of Sir Walter Scot , the poet and writer, and Earl Haig are interred here in the grounds, the grave of Earl Haig being a copy of one of the mass graves in which his troops were buried during the 1st World war

Weather was still not too clever - in the meantime Mrs B had been at her friends BBQ in Loanhead, which sadly was a virtual wash out due to the weather. Time someone got this weather sorted out. We would like a summer here.

Headed home via the back roads, wanting to get a photo of Scot's view, but the weather was so bad you could not see anything - it is a very famous view point, featuring in many paintings.

So it was back to base, feet up - Crocodile Dundee 1, and getting rddy for a busy day on Sunday.