Newstead, Scottish Borders

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Newstead is a village in the Scottish Borders, just east of Melrose. It has a population of approximately 260.

It is reputedly the oldest continually-habitated settlement in Scotland. Its situation in the valley of the River Tweed, at a crossing point for the Roman Dere Street, was of great strategic importance throughout history. This was principally due to the proximity of the prominent Eildon Hill. Former inhabitants include: the ancient Selgovae; the Roman army; monks and masons, builders of nearby Melrose abbey and, more recently, navvies working on the impressive railway viaduct at Leaderfoot.