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  • Jack Frost, Mischief Maker

    Jack Frost, Mischief Maker

    The mischievous Jack Frost has been out creating his magic while we have slept. Covering trees and other objects with white feathery ice crystals, hoar frost, creating a surreal landscape.

    The name is derived from the Old English, har, meaning white or grey with age as the frost looks like white hairs.

    And now the science bit……

    The feathery crystals are formed when water vapour in the air comes into contact with a surface that is below freezing. Immediately ice crystals are formed and continue to grow as more vapour freezes causing this beautiful phenomenon lighting up when the morning sun hits it.

  • Gorebridge Walk Highlights G7:Castles and Churches

    Gorebridge Walk Highlights G7:Castles and Churches

    Borthwick Castle is one of the largest and best-preserved Scottish Medieval fortifications. Built in 1430 but during the Civil War in 1650, Cromwell attacked the castle. The damaged inflicted by his canons can still be seen today.

    Borthwick Paris Church has been on this site in one form or another since the 12th century. It has been added to over the centuries including a Gothic Revival spire in the 19th century.

    Crichton Castle was built in the late 14th century for the Crichton family and sits on a high terrace above the Tyne Water. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the castle for 2 years after her marriage to Lord Darnley in 1565.

    Crichton Collegiate Church was built by the Crichton family who paid priests to pray for their family’s salvation. Impact marks from musket balls fired by Cromwell’s troops in 1650 can be seen on some of the outer walls.

  • Trig Points

    Trig Points

    Trigonometrical or triangulation points as they were also known as were used by the Ordnance Survey to map out the shape of the UK resulting in the excellent OS maps that we are all familiar with today.

    There were over 6,500 trig points throughout the country on hills and mountains at one time but many have been lost over the decades since they became obsolete.

    They are concrete pillars, typically 4 feet tall, with a substantial portion of the structure below ground.

    The brass fitting often seen on the top of trig points is known as a ‘spider’.

  • Cairns

    Cairns

    A cairn is a manmade stack of stones that has been used since prehistoric times as way markers, memorials, burial chambers or to mark the summit of hills and mountains.

    According to Highland folklore, when clans fought each man would place a stone in a pile and those that returned from battle removed a stone. The remaining pile of stones, or cairn, was a memorial to honour the dead.

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  • Wild Flowers

    Wild Flowers

    There is a great diversity of wild flowers throughout the year bringing a floral beauty to the countryside.

    To identify wildflowers check out http://www.nativeflower.co.uk

    Tormental is a short creeping plant with yellow petals that is typically found in grassland, meadows and hedgerows. It can be used to treat wounds, stomach pain or made into a toothpaste and even to make a type of schnapps.

    Germander Speedwell provides nectar for bees and a food source for the caterpillars of the Heath Fritillary butterfly. Wearing it in your button hole was considered good luck for travellers as it would ‘speed you well’ on your journey.

    Cuckooflower has delicate pink flowers and is a sure sign that spring has arrived. It is commonly known as ‘Lady’s Smock’ and is found in woodland and wet meadows. Smock was once the slang term for a woman and the name may have alluded to certain springtime activities in the meadows!

    The common daisy gets its name from the Old English for ‘days eye’ as the flowers are only open during daylight. In fact the composite flower heads are actually made up of lots of tiny flowers.

  • Midlothian Film Locations

    Midlothian Film Locations

    Roslin Gunpowder Mill was once the largest gunpowder factory in Scotland and was in operation for over 150 years. Gunpowder made here was exported all over the world and was used from the time of the Napoleonic Wars until the Second World War.

    Rosslyn Chapel was built in the 15th century for the St Clair family who still own it today. During the reformation the chapel fell into disrepair and in 1650 Cromwell’s troops used it to stable their horses.

    Lady Victoria Colliery is the home to the National Mining Museum and one of the best preserved Victorian Collieries in Europe. Opened in 1865 it was Scotland’s first super pit and deepest mine at the time with a shaft sunk to 530m.

    Arniston House sits in 6000 acres and was originally a hunting park during the Middle Ages and at one time owned by the Knights Templar. The estate was bought by the Dundas family in 1571 who have been in residence for over 450 years.

  • Leaderfoot Viaduct

    Leaderfoot Viaduct

    The viaduct was built in 1863 for the Berwick Railway and carried the branch line of the former North British Railway. This linked the East Coast Main Line with the Waverley Line.

    Slender sandstone pillars tower 37m above the waters of the River Tweed and with 19 arches which all have identical spans of 13m.

    This section of the line was damaged by floods in August 1945 resulting in its closure to passenger traffic but remained open to freight traffic until 1965.

    Where the viaduct crosses the Tweed is close to where the Romans had a ford crossing for the road known as Dere Street.

  • Gorse

    Gorse, or whin as it as sometimes known, is a member of the pea family and has vibrant yellow flowers that have a coconut scent. Peak flowering time is April and May but its flowers can be seen all year round.

    A sprig of gorse is often added to a brides wedding bouquet as a symbol of fertility.

    The flowers can be added to salads or made into a tea. According to folklore you should not kiss your loved ones when gorse is not in bloom!

  • Trimontium

    Trimontium

    The fort was an advanced post of the Roman Empire at the foot of the Eildon Hills and occupied intermittently from 80-211AD. It was 60 miles from Hardians Wall and was at least 3 times larger than any of the forts along the wall.

    It had many phases of construction and contained annexes, bath house and an amphitheatre that held up to 2000 people.

  • Below is the most recent video from Black Cat Hiking, highlighting Walk 4 from Galashiels Station. Many thanks to Ron Barnes for his continuing interest in promoting the walks.

    Below is the most recent video from Black Cat Hiking, highlighting Walk 4 from Galashiels Station. Many thanks to Ron Barnes for his continuing interest in promoting the walks.

  • Christmas Message

    Drumlin Walks wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us so that we can all get out into the fresh air and enjoy the countryside.

    Infact even if the weather is inclement it is worth putting on your boots, a brave face and your waterproofs and enjoy the experience as you never know what you will come across.

    It will also help you work off the Christmas excess and save you from sitting watching an endless run of repeats on TV.

    Drumlin Walks hope that you all have lots of adventures and experiences in 2024 😊

    Forbes and Brian