Visit the largest 3D map of a country in the world near an unassuming village in the Scottish Borders.
Continue reading “The Great Polish Map of Scotland”The Great Polish Map of Scotland
The Pilgrim’s Path to Lindisfarne
St Cuthbert was an Anglo-Saxon monk who took up residence on the island of Lindisfarne, where he would one day become bishop. After his death, he was said to be the cause of many great miracles and was venerated as a saint. For this reason, the island he once called home became a popular pilgrimage site — but not one accessed by boat. Instead, when the tide recedes, it is possible to walk across the sand to reach this most Holy Island.
Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Path to Lindisfarne”The Norber Erratics
High on a lonely hillside stands a stony herd – the Norber Erratics. These great boulders, deposited by passing glaciers during the last Ice Age, have dotted the landscape for thousands of years. Being made of sandstone, the weather had affected them differently to the surrounding limestone pavement – rain erodes the limestone at a much faster rate, leaving the erratics perched atop narrow stone pedestals that look rather like legs. I can’t help but feel that they might just wander off on some new adventure.
Continue reading “The Norber Erratics”Heatherhope Valley Circular
A circular walk that rises high above the Heatherhope Valley along an old drove road, taking in ancient standing stones and no less than three iron age hill forts, before descending to the valley floor to visit a picturesque reservoir.
Continue reading “Heatherhope Valley Circular”Capelaw Hill
A gentle introduction to the Pentland Hills that is easily accessible from Edinburgh.
Continue reading “Capelaw Hill”The Hunt for MacGregor’s Cave
A short walk reveals a rocky haven for bandits and clansmen hiding from the prying eyes of the law — join me on the hunt for MacGregor’s Cave.
Continue reading “The Hunt for MacGregor’s Cave”The Minch Moor and the Three Brethren
The Minch Moor Road is one of the oldest in the Borders. Once a drove road between the Tweed and Yarrow valleys, it has found a new lease of life as a popular walking route as part of the Southern Upland Way. Journey along it to find a royal castle, imposing cairns and a hideout used by William Wallace.
Continue reading “The Minch Moor and the Three Brethren”The Cateran Hole
After an unsuccessful attempt last year in less pleasant weather, I set off on a sunny Easter Sunday in search once more of the elusive smuggler’s cave on Bewick Moor known as the Cateran Hole.
Continue reading “The Cateran Hole”Thornielee Forest
What would you do if you were offered the choice between death or to be married to the ugliest woman alive? Find out what happened when one bold Reiver had to make this very choice on a walk through Thornielee Forest.
Continue reading “Thornielee Forest”Loch Faskally and the Pass of Killiecrankie
Many a Scot knows the tale of the Battle of Killiecrankie, where Bonnie Dundee met his end. Yet the soldiers who fought that day would scarcely recognise the large loch that sits near the southern entrance to the pass.
Journey through the peaceful woodland at the shores of Loch Faskally, but watch out for Jacobites in the Pass of Killiecrankie. After climbing high above in search of mountain vistas, follow the more sensible example of Queen Victoria and pay a visit to the majestic Linn of Tummel. Finally, return to the modern era with the dawn of hydroelectric power, forever changing Highland life.