Soutra Aisle and Medieval Hospital Site

A steep climb at the start no matter which direction your ride it, but after that a wonderful ride along a valley and moorland past Soutra Aisle.

Soutra Aisle marks the site of a large medieval hospital. The building above ground is a burial aisle that was built in the 17c with stone from the original church. The hospital was founded by the Augustinians at the request of King Malcolm IV circa 1160. Situated mid way between Edinburgh and the Border Abbeys, the House of the Holy Trinity at Soutra was one of the three most important hospitals in Scotland and occupied a walled area measuring some 700 square metres. Following the Battle of Neville’s Cross (1346) Edward III of England moved the Anglo-Scottish border northwards along the Lammermuir Edge to Soutra. The duration of the boundary change is not known but it’s believed to have reverted in the 1380’s.
The open air site contains an information display and offers good views of the surrounding countryside.
The old Roman road of Dere Street passes beside Soutra Aisle on its way from Corbridge, Northumberland, to Cramond on the Firth of Forth.

Good stretch of road with climb and descent linking A7 and A68.