About the Author
Alan Hall, a Scottish ‘squatter’ for 44 years, has written and photographically illustrated 10 outdoor and walking guides covering the Scottish Borders, the Lammermuirs, Kielder Forest, Northumberland, the north Pennines, North York Moors, Fife and Perthshire, and Lochaber – Ben Nevis and Glencoe. Plus, at the time of writing, Kissamos and Selinos in western Crete.
An inquisitive pedestrian, full-time writer and photographer, Alan has walked in, in addition to Britain, Catalunya and the French Pyrenees, Italy and Sri Lanka, plus some 20 Greek islands and small areas on the Greek mainland. None more extensively, however, than his favourite, the addictive island of Crete.
Other Cicerone titles by the same author
Border Pubs and Inns – A Walker’s Guide
Walks in the Lammermuirs – A Walker’s Guide
Walking in Northumberland (second edition)
THE BORDER COUNTRY
A WALKER'S GUIDE
by
Alan Hall
2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
© Alan Hall 1993, 1999, 2005
Third edition 2005, reprinted 2010 (with updates)
ISBN 978 185284 459 2
ISBN 1 85284 459 0
Second edition 1999
ISBN 1 85284 303 9
First printed 1993, reprinted 1994
ISBN 1 85284 116 8
Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore
All photographs by the author
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Dedication
Dedicated to Greta
Advice to Readers
Readers are advised that, while every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Please check Updates on this book’s page on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk) before planning your trip. We would also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Greta my wife, who travelled with me every step of the way, from the book’s conception to its completion – a shared journey that enlarged the pleasure and enhanced the outcome. Also included is our son Kevin, with his unbounded enthusiasm and energy for the entire project. His knowledgeable company on the hills lightened the step. I am deeply indebted to Hector Innes for his expert advice on matters photographic, and also to the Countryside Rangers, Scottish Borders Council for their guidance. Thanks also to my many friends who unearthed their ageing volumes rich in Borders history and legend, and finally to hill walkers well met along the way who spoke with pleasure of their time in the Borders. I offer this guide to all who have given me help and encouragement, and to all lovers of the Borderland, with sincere wishes that it stimulates you all to travel just that little bit further.
Front cover: Smailholm Tower, Walk 19
CONTENTS
The Border Hills and Southern Uplands
Walk 1 Early Christianity and Iron Age Forts
Walk 3 Mountains, Crags and a Waterfall
Walk 4 A Gentle Introduction to Cheviot’s Foothills
Walk 5 Up and Down the Cheviot Hills
Walk 6 A Border Foray over White Swire
Walk 7 The Lure of the Hen Hole
Walk 8 The Schil, Guardian of the College Valley
Walk 9 To the Changing Summit of Cheviot
Walk 10 By Clennell Street to Windy Gyle
Walk 11 A Walk into the Sixth Century BC
Walk 12 By the ‘Clattering Path’ to Iron Age Forts
Walk 13 A Redundant Reservoir to Celtic Hilltop Forts
Walk 14 In the Footsteps of Agricola’s Legions
Walk 15 The Iron Age and the Romans Inspired this Walk