Tag: History
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The Perfect Xmas Gift
The second edition of the hugely popular Border Station Walks is now available Sitting alongside its sister publication, Midlothian Station Walks, it provides details of circular walks from the three Borders Rail stations. Both books open up the beautiful countryside and amazing walks available from Shawfair station in Midlothian to Tweedbank station in the Scottish…
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Galashiels Walk Highlights G1: Bloody Deeds and Silent Pipes
Buckholm Tower was built in 1582 by John Hoppringil and stands above the Gala Water. Legend has it that, Pringle, the Laird of Buckholm was cursed by the wife of a covenanter after he murdered her husband and son then hung their bodies from hooks in the vaulted cellar. Dobies grave is marked by a…
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Spotlight on Buckholm Tower
The now ruin of Buckholm Tower, built in 1582 by John Hoppringil, stands above the Gala Water. Legend has it that , Pringle the Laird of Buckholm, was cursed by the wife of a covenanter after he murdered her husband and son then hung their bodies from ceiling hooks in the vaulted cellar. Every June…
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Shawfair Walk Highlights S1: A Changing Landscape
Woolmet Colliery opened in 1904 with over 800 people working 305m (1000 feet) below the surface to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of coal a year. The bing was a prominent landmark on Edinburgh’s skyline until it was levelled and landscaped. The miners memorial garden is dedicated to the miners that lost their lives at…
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Spotlight on Crichton Castle
The Medieval Crichton Castle , now a ruin, sits on a terrace high above the River Tyne was built in the late 14th century. There is a highly decorative diamond-faceted façade that overlooks the courtyard but unfortunately there is currently no access into the courtyard. Crichton Castle – Crichton Castle – Wikipedia Mary Queen of…
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Eskbank Walk Highlights E2: Maidens & Ice
A 17th century grotto hides the entrance to an icehouse which has a brick built egg-shaped pit which was filled with ice in winter to store meat and other perishables. Maiden Bridge was named as Margaret Tudor stopped here in 1503 on her way to Newbattle Abbey to meet her future spouse, king James 1V.…
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Stow Walk Highlights S2: An Ancient Well
St Mary of Wedale Church , built in 1876, has an impressive 140 feet tower containing a clock. The train drivers on the Waverley Line used to set their watches by it such was its reputation for accuracy. Packhorse Bridge, also known as a subscription bridge, built in 1654-5 which allowed burdened horses to cross…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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