WATCH: 'Landmark moment' as Kelso Abbey reopens
It's being described as a landmark moment for Kelso.
First Minister John Swinney cut the ribbon to mark the official reopening of the town's abbey this afternoon (Friday) - allowing visitors back inside the historic attraction for the first time in five years.
The A-listed structure - which marks its 900th anniversary in 2028 - had been closed since 2021 after inspections raised concerns about unstable masonry.
But, following extensive conservation work by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the gates have now reopened.
The Duke of Roxburghe, who chairs the Kelso 900 group, believes the reopening will allow it to forge ahead with plans for anniversary celebrations.
He said it marked an "exciting new chapter".
"I hope people from across Scotland and beyond will come to rediscover this remarkable place as we begin the countdown to the abbey's 900th anniversary in 2028," he said.
Speaking at the reopening, Mr Swinney said preserving Scotland's historic buildings was vital.
"It's so important that we preserve and protect our historic environment and Kelso Abbey has such significance in the religious story of our country," the MSP told Greatest Hits Radio.
"I'm so pleased that the collaborative efforts of Historic Environment Scotland and the community here in Kelso have resulted in the moment that we're going to witness today."
Historic Environment Scotland's District Architect, Clive Cruickshank, said inspections carried out since the closure had given experts confidence the abbey could safely reopen.
"There were recurring defects that were enough for us to put precautionary closures in place," he said.
"Since then there's been a series of high-level masonry inspections... that's given us far more assurance about what the abbey is like and how it's behaving, particularly over the winter months."
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Mr Cruickshank said the work wasn't over, with parts of the nearly 900-year-old building still unexplored.
"There are some areas of this abbey that haven't been visited for decades because of how badly eroded they are," he said.
"Over the next few years we'll be looking at innovative ways of exploring those areas. It gives us a far better understanding of the abbey and something we can give back to the community."
The reopening has also been welcomed by local traders, who hope it will encourage more visitors to spend time in the town.
Kelso Provost Gavin Horsburgh said: "The reopening of the abbey is truly tremendous. Instead of just getting a closed gate, visitors are now able to go in and explore the abbey.
"This will really help trade in the town and give people a reason to come and also go shopping as well."
Kelso Abbey is now open daily, with Historic Environment Scotland and local groups already planning celebrations for its 900th anniversary in 2028.
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