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The National
6 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The National
Things to do in Melrose, a 'well-to-do oasis' in the Scottish Borders
Not in a bad way: this is a well-to-do oasis that proudly holds on to its heritage, its fiercely independent shops and, yes, its rugby. Melrose is the home of Rugby Sevens, after all. And so much more besides. Melrose is a town built on sturdy foundations. Various English kings tried to shake them in battle and, although its landmark abbey was sacked in the process, the land of the Borders Reivers held firm. Rambling around the abbey's ruins today you get a real sense of both its original grandeur and Melrose's importance when the Cistercians chose it as the site of their first Scottish abbey after David I granted them permission to build in 1136. (Image: Borders Abbey Way) Melrose saw off the Romans, too, letting them mess around with building the doomed Antonine Wall using the Trimontium fort here as a supply depot, before the local tribes combined to kick them out. They were expelled with such force the director of the town's Trimontium Museum, John Reid, once told me: 'Scotland was Rome's Afghanistan'. As well as all manner of exhibits on a Roman theme you can fulfil childhood fantasies and dress up as a scarlet-clad legionnaire or hurl back in time to the days when emperors visited Scotland's largest Roman fort with the aid of the striking new virtual reality headsets in the impressive museum extension that opened last year. You'll need more of your own imagination out at the sprawling fort site, though information boards tell the tales we know so far and the most northerly amphitheatre in the Roman Empire has been unearthed. They've just secured the site for another 25 years so expect some serious digging to follow once all of the usual hurdles have been overcome. This town on the mighty River Tweed swims in history far beyond the Romans. Legend has it King Arthur still lies interred in the Eildon Hills that gave the Romans inspiration for naming their fort. A much earlier Iron Age fortification sits atop one of the three Eildons, offering views of the Tweed Valley, easily up there with the more celebrated 'Scott's View' nearby. (Image: Getty Images) Also in the shadow of the Eildons, just a short walk south of Trimontium, is the Rhymer's Stone. It is on the site where the Eildon Tree once stood, the arbour that transported Thomas the Rhymer off from the Thirteenth Century into the magical world of the fairies. At the time the prophecies and 'wisdom' he returned with were not treated like fairytales. Perhaps King Alexander III should have paid more heed as the soothsayer predicted the monarch's tragic death on that stormy night in Fife. Grounding ourselves back in the solid stone reality of Melrose's High Street, I find the town's residents proud both of their history but also of how Melrose shapes up today. No massive supermarkets – or small ones for that matter – suck the lifeblood out of Melrose's core, which unfurls around a grand mercat cross topped with a unicorn. What Melrose does have is proper wee businesses: an old-world butcher, deli, galleries, wines store, antique shops and even a book binder. There is, too, of course, a locally made Melrose Gin. (Image: Robin McKelvie) Nick Henderson, whose family have run Burt's Hotel for 54 years – and the Townhouse Hotel across the road for 21 years – told me: 'Melrose is a town with one foot in the past and one foot in the present. We are proud of both here and you can easily enjoy both sides as a visitor, which is a large part I think of why people love to come here.' Visitors do come to Melrose but mercifully they don't descend in the campervan-driven hordes that can blight other holiday spots in Scotland. Bar the summer book festival and the annual Melrose Sevens rugby extravaganza, I've never found Melrose overrun. Its environs make the town itself look like Manhattan. On this visit I hiked on the Borders Abbeys Way from Sir Walter's Scott's old Tweed-side gaff at Abbotsford all the way up through the forests and farmland to Lindean Loch and didn't see another human. (Image: Robin McKelvie) At Lindean Loch I did encounter Laura Mitchell, the bubbly presence behind Cedar Hus Sauna. They don't mess about in this corner of Scotland and, pleasantries exchanged, Laura soon led me into the chill waters. Laura wasn't done with just a post-swim sauna either, as she imbued the steam with the spirit-soaring scent of pine, then proceeded to thrash me with birch in a scene definitely more Malmo than Melrose. The Borders Abbeys Way is just one of the impressive local walks. You can hike off from Melrose Abbey on a 68-mile circular hike around the quartet of ruined Borders abbeys or continue the ecclesiastic theme joining St Cuthbert on his way – a 62-mile march south across the border to Lindisfarne. If you're really keen, you can bash over west to Portpatrick on the Atlantic coast, for a challenging long-distance trail that sweeps you from the Borders 215 miles west to the far extremities of Dumfries and Galloway. Community-led Melrose Paths publish a wee map and leaflet revealing some more modest local walks. All too soon – it always is with Melrose – I was leaving, joining the Borders Abbeys Way again as it snakes off west from Melrose along the Tweed. It was just me, a brace of dog walkers, a gaggle of ducks and a buzzard doing a decent eagle impression on the three miles walk along the river and back to Tweedbank railway station. The train nips you from here to Edinburgh in just an hour. I strongly suggest you enjoy a voyage in the other direction and explore the most trim of the Borders market towns. Foodie Melrose Tempest Brewing Co You'd expect a brilliant new venue from a brilliant family-owned brewery and this doesn't disappoint. No mere brewery, this vast space is also a US-style taproom, beer hall, well-stocked shop, beer garden and an informal restaurant. Wash the smash burgers down with beers from the 16 taps, all within staggering distance of Tweedbank railway station. The Townhouse Run by James, brother of Burt's owner Nick, James, there is the choice again between two dining spaces – this time the bright brasserie or the slightly more formal restaurant. Local produce abounds in both. Kick off with the likes of haggis pakora or locally smoked trout, before a sirloin of Borders beef, or sea bream fillets spiced with a Thai curry sauce. Burt's Owner Nick Henderson ensures local produce and local butcher meat feature heavily on both the bar and the restaurant menu. Kick off with the likes of Belhaven smoked salmon then move on to a rump of perfectly pink Borders lamb. They stock the excellent ales from local brewery Tempest Brewery Co too. Bed Down in Melrose Burt's Hotel In the same family – the Hendersons – for five decades, this trim, welcoming hotel on the High Street is perfectly located. Choose from 20 en suite rooms. I first stayed here almost two decades ago and it has barely changed – here that is a very good thing at a traditional hotel that still has an old school residents lounge. The Townhouse Just across the road from Burt's Hotel, this equally welcoming bolthole is also owned and run by the ubiquitous Hendersons. It has a bit more of a contemporary boutique vibe but is still cosy. Harmony House A grand old stone dame owned by the National Trust for Scotland. This palatial retreat is ideal for extended families or groups of friends, as it sleeps a dozen in some comfort. This self-catering option feels like having your own mini-Abbotsford in the heart of Melrose. You also enjoy privileged access to the celebrated Harmony Garden.
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup SYDNEY - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Magnificent seven for Portia as New Zealand make statement ahead of World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Rugby Sevens - Women's Pool A - New Zealand vs Canada - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - July 28, 2024. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand in action with Carissa Norsten of Canada REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo SYDNEY (Reuters) -Portia Woodman-Wickliffe's return from retirement paid big dividends for New Zealand at the weekend when the veteran winger scored seven tries to help the world champions thrash the United States 79-14 and retain the Pacific Four title. Katelyn Vahaakolo on the other wing chipped in with four tries but it was Woodman-Wickliffe who caught the eye with some devastating finishing as the Black Ferns produced a statement win three months before their Women's World Cup title defence. The 33-year-old, who was playing her first test since the 2022 World Cup final after coming out of retirement in April, also overhauled Vanessa Coutts as her country's all-time leading try scorer with 45 five-pointers in 26 internationals. "It's always amazing to represent the black jersey and the legacy that we have, but it's really cool for where we can go from here," twice World Player of the Year Woodman-Wickliffe said. "For me, I just finish what the girls are doing, if I'm there to finish the tries out wide, then that's my job done. We've still got a lot of work to do as a whole team, which is really exciting." After drawing 27-27 in their last outing against Canada, New Zealand needed to beat the U.S. by 25 points and earn a bonus point on Saturday to retain the Pacific Four title. Despite the Americans scoring the first try, that proved no problem at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium with sevens standout Jorja Miller also on fire on her test debut at openside flanker. Canada earlier also finished the tournament unbeaten after putting sixth-ranked Australia to the sword 45-7 with a clinical performance at Brisbane's Lang Park. The powerful Canadian pack quickly dented the confidence Australia had built up after beating the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra last week as they signalled they will be no pushovers in England in August and September. "Obviously we would have loved to get that win against New Zealand last weekend, but we had to move on," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. "Overall I was very proud of the girls today. It was a decent win. We put a lot of points on the board." New Zealand, who have won six of the nine previous Women's World Cups but are ranked third in the world behind World Cup hosts England and Canada, next play Australia for a second time this year in Wellington on July 12. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Petrer Rutherford)
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
'Not involved': World Rugby accused of 'late stage' player involvement in sevens overhaul
HSBC SVNS Photo: Zach Franzen / World Rugby The global representative body International Rugby Players (IRP) claims players were not involved in devising World Rugby's new HSBC SVNS competition model. However, a World Rugby spokesperson told RNZ Pacific this is incorrect, stating that consultation with players and representatives did take place. In a statement, IRP chief executive Omar Hassanein said they were presented with the details of the new format at a late stage - just before its submission to the World Rugby Executive Board for ratification. World Rugby stated, during its 1 May announcement of the new competition format, that consultation took place throughout the process as part of stakeholder discussions. "Players were consulted on the proposed model changes throughout via the IRP," the World Rugby spokesperson said. World Rugby said after significant discussions in 2024, the model was presented to the IRP before it went out for a final round of consultation in February and March this year. It said during this final round of consultation feedback was received from IRP before the Rugby Sevens High Performance Committee (which included player representatives) considered the final proposal. They then recommended it to the Executive Board (which involved IRP representatives), which approved the final recommendation. However, Hassanein said in a statement issued by the IRPA that although early exchanges took place, "discussions on the actual mechanics of the model did not include the players". The statement, released 11 days after World Rugby announced the new three-division series, called for players to be at the heart of any future discussions on the future of the Sevens game. The global representative body for professional rugby players said the only way to make the code successful was to have players at the centre of all detailed decision-making. "During World Rugby's recent development of a new tournament model, IRP can confirm that players were not involved in devising the model and were instead presented with its details at a late stage, immediately prior to its submission for ratification by the World Rugby Executive Board," Hassanein said. "Following the incredible success of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, there is a fantastic opportunity to grow Rugby Sevens globally, one which we must collectively embrace. "Players understand the game better than anyone, and therefore must be involved at each step to ensure the best outcome. This should include all discussions, not only on tournament structuring and welfare matters, but also the commercial aspects of the game," Hassanein added. IRPA's sentiments were endorsed by US Rugby Players Association president Chris Mattina. He said unions "want the series and Rugby Sevens to grow and believe that this is best done through collaborating with the players competing in these events". "We hope that World Rugby hears the voices of the players and includes them in the process moving forward. for the good of the game," Mattina said. Former All Black and IRP executive member Conrad Smith said the whole process has been very challenging to say the least. "We have had a number of exchanges with World Rugby. Obviously, the definition of "consultation" lies at the heart of the matter," Conrad Smith said. "In saying this, we don't see any benefit for the game of sevens in playing this out in public" adding that the IRP is "keen to now work with World Rugby to make the future of 7's as good as it can be". New Zealand v Fiji in a men's match at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Los Angeles at Dignity Health Sports Park on 3 May 2025. Photo: Alex Ho / World Rugby World Rugby said the sevens model has evolved to strengthen the longterm financial viability of the code, which needed a reset to support unions. It said teams were briefed on three separate occasions at sevens events in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, with constant communication. It said the public announcement was the end of the process, not the first time teams heard. Pacific team Samoa, who were geared to finish in the top four of the World Sevens Challenger Series final playoff in Los Angeles in early May, missed out on requalification for the core SVNS Series after the change was announced at the event. Had the old format of 12 teams still been used, Samoa would have qualified as a core team in the 2025/2026 competition But since the new format was announced, it meant they lost out, and their loss in the final four play-off means they miss out of both the core series and the new division two. Fiji beat New Zealand 33–5 in a men's Pool C match at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Park on January 25, 2025 in Perth, Australia. Photo: Alex Ho / World Rugby According to World Rugby, the new structure introduces a devolved, three-division hosting model that expands the series from 10 to 13 events in 2026. Division 1 will see core team numbers reduced from 12 to eight per gender in a six-tournament series, with all events adopting a two-day format. Division 2 features six teams per gender, competing across three events while Division 3, a standalone challenger event, will have eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions. World Rugby Sevens general manager Sam Pinder said they are firmly committed to the success of rugby sevens on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. "While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," Pinder said. "We are grateful for all the engagement throughout an extensive stakeholder consultation process and now look ahead to an exciting future for the short format of the sport." A global host tender process will launch this month to determine the tournament hosts.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
CBS Sports acquires U.S. broadcast rights for men's and women's Rugby World Cups
CBS Sports and its Paramount+ streaming platform have acquired the exclusive rights in the United States to broadcast both the men's and women's Rugby World Cups through to 2029 as the sport seeks to crack America ahead hosting the men's World Cup in 2031 and the women's edition in 2033. The CBS deal, which will be announced Thursday, encompasses the men's World Cup in 2027 and the next two women's World Cups, which will be held in later this year and 2029. Advertisement Games will split across linear and streaming, meaning select matches will air on CBS Sports and the rest will be streamed on Paramount+, in a similar way to CBS' coverage of the UEFA Champions League in soccer. The World Cup has most recently been aired by NBC, which remains the broadcaster of the Olympic Games and therefore will retain the rights to Rugby Sevens, the seven-a-side version of the sport, during the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. As part of the contract agreed with World Rugby, the sport's governing body, CBS will also become the home of not only every men's and women's World Cup match but also men's and women's USA national team matches. The deal also includes coverage of the Pacific Nations Cup, the HSBC SVNS (an annual series of international Rugby Sevens) and WXV (an annual women's competition between national teams). The women's World Cup, which will be hosted by England in August and September, will now be on CBS and Paramount+, with supporters in the U.S. able to follow star names such as Ilona Maher. As part of the package, CBS has also bought the rights to show the men's test match between New Zealand and Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 1. World Rugby says there are 800,000 registered rugby players in the U.S., which makes it a top-five most populous market, while adding that by seizing just one per cent of the sports rights market in the U.S., they would double rugby's global economy. This deal is the latest notable investment within the sport from the U.S., after Michele Kang, who has major investments in women's soccer, last year gave $4m to USA Rugby to help the U.S. women's Rugby Sevens team go for gold in 2028. The team won bronze in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The U.S. women's rugby team also broke its record attendance this month as over 10,000 supporters turned out to support the team in Kansas City in a defeat against Canada. Advertisement World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin describes the CBS deal as a 'generational moment for rugby'. He said it will be 'instrumental' in building on a strong momentum in the U.S. market and claimed rugby already has a fanbase of nearly 40 million people in the country. In an interview with The Athletic, Gilpin added that World Rugby had been 'quite deliberate' about not selling the rights for too long. The deal is until 2029, meaning there is room to capitalise on growth before the men's and women's World Cups being held in 2031 and 2033 in the U.S. 'We believe the value is going to grow significantly and we've had sensible conversations with media rights partners about that and with this partner (CBS) in particular who absolutely want to be part of that journey,' Gilpin said. 'They're shaping up to be a really good partner who will make sure we get some great national coverage for rugby when that's when that's possible but they'll also get a lot of content out there and work hard with it.' (Photo of South Africa's Siya Kolisi lifting The Webb Ellis Cup in 2023:)
