5 Producers to try around Jedburgh

A pretty Scottish Borders town with links to royalty, skirmishes as well as being home to some fantastic local food and drink producers, Jedburgh is a place to be excited about!

Jedburgh is a royal burgh, holding special significance for Scottish royalty including David I, who founded the famous Jedburgh Abbey in 1138[1], Alexander II, who gave the town its royal burgh status[2], and Mary Queen of Scots who stayed in the town during her short life. Since then, because of its close proximity to the English border and Scottish capital, Jedburgh has seen plenty of action.

Would that I had died in Jedburgh Mary Queen of Scots

Jethart and Callants

Jedburgh‘s original name was Jethart. Like many other border towns, Jedburgh, too, celebrates an annual common riding festival. In Jedburgh, it is known as The Callants Festival. The festival spans across most of the summer, starting this year on the 17th May at the town hall and ending on the 14th July with a ceremony of returning the sashes. Throughout the months there are several ridings including the Queen’s ride, which is the route Mary Queen of Scots took to visit the Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle[3]. The first riding celebrates the alliance between Jedburgh and neighbouring town Kelso during the frantic years plagued by skirmishes from both sides of the border[3]

Dear Borderland! Blench na’ nor fear!
Oor Borderland, nae foe comes near!
Stand firm and sure; For Jethart’s Here!
Stand firm and sure; For Jethart’s Here! Words by G.F. Lenid traditional Callant’s Song Jethart’s Here!

A Town for Many

Jedburgh boasts an expansive array of activities to see and do in the town. As well as being to home to some fantastic independent shops, Jedburgh is home to some interesting historical sites including Jedburgh Abbey and Jedburgh Castle and Jail, which is believed to be haunted. Jedburgh Castle and Jail offer stay-overs at night so you can revel in the spine-tingling chill.

As well as being a richly historical place, Jedburgh is a popular place for sport, in particular, Rugby Union. Several players from the Jedburgh team have gone on to play at a national level for Scotland. The local team, Jed-Forest, is one of the oldest teams in the world[4].

Jedburgh is also a fantastic place for budding geologists. James Hutton, known as the founding father of geology, discovered interesting rock formations at various sites in the borders including one at Jedburgh which led to the belief that the Earth has evolved over a significant period of time[5] defying what had been accepted at the time. This theory is generally known as Hutton’s Unconformity[5]. A tribute to Hutton and his findings has been immortalised with a sculpture by Max Nowell at Inchbonny just outside of the town.

Producers From Jedburgh

As well as discovering interesting facts about Scottish Borders history, check out these local food and drink producers based in and around Jedburgh.

Born in the Scotland

Formally known as Born in the Borders, Born in Scotland is on the outskirts of the border town of Jedburgh. The basis of the business is as a visitor centre which boasts a shop, restaurant, outdoor activities and a chance to explore some of the Scottish Borders beautiful, unspoilt countryside.

Born in Scotland has its own brewery onsite where it creates a selection 7 different ales including the popular Foxy Blonde, an ale with floral and citrus flavours, perfect for this time of year.

The ales are the only ‘plough-to-pint’ bottled in Scotland. Other flavours, such as the Elderflower Ale, are created by foraging the local bushes and plants found on the complex.

Lilliard Ginnery

Although based on the Born in Scotland complex, Lilliard Ginnery deserves a mention of its own.

All the gin varieties are made in small batches within the micro-ginnery. The original gin boasts the diverse flavours of the Scottish Borders countryside and gives a taste to the beguiling turbulence which the border region witnessed across many centuries.

Serve Lilliard Gin with tonic water and serve with orange rind to bring out the botanicals within the gin. You can also try Lilliard Ruby Liqueur, ripe with the taste of local summer berries, and Lilliard Velvet Liqueur, with a taste of locally foraged brambles with vanilla.

The gin is named after a local heroine called Lilliard.

Briggsy Quality Butchers

The award-winning high street butcher shop has recently been taken over by Ryan Briggs – a former employee at A J Learmonth’s. Briggs is an award-winning butcher himself being the under 22 Scottish Butcher of the year and has competed in many competitions.

Briggsy’s offer special meat packs which are available to order and collect from the shop. They also offer a variety of local meats ranging from beef to pork and chicken.

If you don’t live near, you can telephone order and organise a delivery straight to your door.

Jasper’s Original Jethart Snails

A classic Scottish Border sweet which is still popular today, the Jethart Snails show the links between the Scottish and French cultures over the centuries.

The sweets are mint-flavoured, hard boiled and in the shape of a snail.

You can find Jethart Snails at the local markets including Jedburgh Farmer’s Market which is on the first Friday of the month and Selkirk Farmer’s Market on the first Saturday of the month.

Border Meringues

Border Meringues has its own establishment where it serves a vast range of sweet treats as well as light lunch and breakfast options.

Set up in 2005, Border Meringues is as popular as ever with locals and visitors alike. You can also pre-order baked delights from Border Delights for special occasions.

Love What You Eat

Explore the fantastic, historical town of Jedburgh and discover some delicious local food and drink producers while you are there! There is something for everyone.

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