Find it

The Mausoleum is open to walkers/cyclists every day. There is an Audio Guide to help you enjoy your visit.

Vehicle access is restricted to Open Days, when staff are on site to assist visitors. See News pages for details.

Lilliards Edge looking towards the mausoleum

Walking

The mausoleum is a twenty minute walk from the ancient Dere Street, which now forms part of

St.Cuthberts Way  long distance path. Look out for the 'tomb' of Maid Lilliard on Lilliards Edge. Having paused to admire her bravery, continue along the top of the ridge in a westerly direction, until you reach the notorious A68 trunk road. You are strongly advised not to cross at the top of the hill, as visibility of on-coming traffic is very poor. Walk southwards down the side of the road towards the houses, then cross when you feel it is safe to do so. Alternatively, follow the dog-leg waymarked path from Lilliards Tomb to the road, keeping to the field edges. Once across, head back up the hill to a gated farm track on your left going into the woodland. The mausoleum is a ten minute walk along the track.

By Car (plus a short walk)

From the North, the mausoleum is 42 miles from Edinburgh on the A68. After passing through St. Boswells continue south for about two miles. As you climb a long hill, the Mausoleum will be visible on the skyline to the right. Continue a further half mile beyond the hilltop until you see the signs for Lilliardsedge Holiday Park on the right. There is a lay-by on the left just before the entrance. Park here and walk back up the road verge, towards the houses, until you find a safe place to cross the road. Once across, continue up the hill to a gated farm track on your left going into the woodland. The mausoleum is a ten minute walk along the track. Private vehicles are prohibited along here, except on designated Open Days. See the News pages for further details.

From the South, the mausoleum is 62 miles from Newcastle on Tyne on the A68. After passing through Jedburgh continue for about four miles until you see the signs for Lilliardsedge Holiday Park on the left. There is a lay-by on the right just beyond the Holiday Park entrance. Park in the lay-by and walk up the road verge towards the hilltop and the houses, until you find a safe place to cross the road. Once across, continue up the hill to a gated farm track on your left going into the woodland. The mausoleum is a ten minute walk along the track. Private vehicles are prohibited along here, except on designated Open Days. See the News pages for further details.

By Bike

If you are confident to cycle on the A68 then follow the directions above. Caution, this is a narrow and fast trunk road and is unsuitable for inexperienced riders. The track up to the mausoleum from the A68 is stoney, but suitable for cycles under all conditions. You may need to lift your bike over the locked gates, so avoid heavy electric bikes. Alternatively, there are minor roads to the west of the A68 linking Ancrum with St.Boswells which are more pleasant for cyclists, but will involve a  twenty minute walk from the road through dense woodland (unsuitable for mountain bikes) to reach the mausoleum.

Public Transport

With the re-opening of the Borders Railway, there is now a regular train service from Edinburgh to Galashiels where Border Buses run frequent services  which pass the mausoleum. Ask for Lilliards Edge Holiday Park, and follow the walking directions in the By Car section above. You are advised not to take the train to Tweedbank, which is mainly a Park-and-Ride station and bus connections are less frequent. From the south, there is a good rail service to Berwick on Tweed, then by Border Buses to St. Boswells, with a possible further change to get to the mausoleum. In fine weather, you could walk south from St. Boswells following the signposted St. Cuthberts Way and the ancient Dere Street, as outlined in the Walking section above. Walking south from St. Boswells on the A68 is inadvisable, it is a narrow and fast trunk road and there is no footway.

©www.BorderArchaeology.co.uk

The track from A68 road up to the mausoleum

Key for the Mausoleum Crypt

To fully appreciate the Monteath Mausoleum you will want to see inside the Crypt where two huge angels guard the sarcophagus, and pale sunlight filters down through the stars in the roof.

A key for the massive oak doors is available from The Ancrum Pantry, Ancrum, TD8 6XH seven days a week. Hours vary, so call them on 01835 830259 or check their Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheAncrumPantry . Ancrum is just off the A68 about three miles south of the mausoleum. Keys are also available from Lothian Estates Office, Bonjedward, TD8 6UF during normal office hours. There is a £5 fee plus a returnable deposit of £5. This income helps us to  maintain the building.

(placeholder)

Download the 'Find It' pdf