Property to rent in Melrose, Scottish Borders

Melrose commands a premium by Scottish Borders standards but remains excellent value compared to Edinburgh. The median two-bedroom flat lets at roughly £575–£750 pcm, with one-bedroom flats from £475 and family three-bedroom houses typically £725–£950. Properties with views of the Eildon Hills or the Abbey, or those within walking distance of the Tweedbank railway terminus, command the highest rents.

The housing stock is heavily weighted toward attractive stone-built properties — Victorian villas, Georgian townhouses, and traditional cottages — with a smaller number of modern developments on the edges. Demand is strong from Edinburgh commuters who use the Borders Railway (the Tweedbank terminus is two miles away, around five minutes by car or a pleasant cycle), retirees relocating from cities for the lifestyle, and professionals working remotely from one of the most desirable small towns in southern Scotland.

We're still building granular rent data for Melrose. The ranges above reflect our current view of the market; actual rents will move with seasonality and supply. Register for alerts to be notified the moment a matching property is listed.

Schools. Melrose Primary serves the town and is well-regarded; secondary pupils attend Earlston High School, around five miles north — Borders Council provides school transport. The Borders General Hospital sits on the edge of town, making Melrose unusually well-served for healthcare for a settlement of this size.

Transport. The Borders Railway terminus at Tweedbank is two miles away — roughly hourly trains reach Edinburgh Waverley in about 55 minutes. By road, the A68 connects to Edinburgh in around 75 minutes; the A6091 links to Galashiels and the wider central Borders network. There is no station in Melrose itself.

Employment. Local employment is dominated by the BGH, the local council, and tourism — Melrose Abbey, the Eildon Hills walks, and Abbotsford (Sir Walter Scott's house) draw visitors year-round. Independent shops, cafes and restaurants line the High Street; the Townhouse and Burts Hotel are well-known restaurants.

Amenities. A Co-op for daily shopping, with larger supermarkets in Galashiels (5 miles). Outdoor life is exceptional — the Eildon Hills walk starts from the town, the Southern Upland Way passes through, and the Tweed offers world-class fly-fishing. The Melrose Sevens (the original rugby sevens tournament) and the Borders Book Festival each draw substantial crowds in spring.