The Border Country. Alan Hall H.

it stands at the head of the Halterburn and Bowmont valleys, its position rather than its form being the lure. The northern prospect from the Curr is particularly pleasing as the wide and graceful sweep of the Tweed Valley meets the eye.

      Black Hag Appropriately named, ‘black’ refers to the heather cover, while ‘hag’ applies to the bunkers of peat. From its summit attractive views can be seen to the south, freestanding Schil crowned by its rocky tor and circlet of outcrops, and beyond the dour north face of Cheviot and the Border Ridge extending westwards for 9 miles (14.5km) to Lamb Hill 1677ft (511m).

      White Law north of Steer Rig

      Views of the Cheviots and beyond West and below the Schil there is Sourhope Burn Valley, its floor and flanks peppered with the remains of ancient settlements, homesteads, cultivation terraces, forts and cairns. The burn runs southwest towards Cocklawfoot and the Border Ridge from the Cheviot, then west to beyond Windy Gyle, Beefstand Hill and Lamb Hill (Walks 7–10). These names reflect that this was and still is a prime site for cattle and sheep farming. (There is of course a famous breed of sheep known as Cheviot.)

      One finger points to the Schil, ‘Pennine Way’, the second finger points the way we have just walked and says ‘Low Level Alternative Route’, and the third finger ‘Pennine Way’, which is our pathway (also the Scottish–English border line) on a bearing of 345° over the flattened summit of Black Hag. The fence ahead is crossed by ladder-stile and marks a gradually descending fenceside walk north along Steer Rig that provides not only sightings of White Law, our next ascent, but also east over the V that is Trowup Burn Valley to the Northumberland coastline, and ahead to the Tweed Valley and the Lammermuir Hills beyond. Surrounded by a carpet of wind-bent white grass our twin track drops to the col above Old Halterburnhead. This is a place to rest and enjoy before the short sharp 262ft (80m) ascent north to the grandstand summit of White Law, with fine views over the College Valley to Newton Tors and Yeavering Bell (Walk 1), in addition to the Tweed Valley and beyond.

      From the summit of White Law descend northwest alongside the fence to the stepped stile on the col below Whitelaw Nick, with its one-time fort. Cross the stile and with care descend north, alongside a stone wall, to the ancient border line crossing of White Swire. From here follow the winding, descending, now wide, dry and grassy track northwest (unless you wish to make a short detour west from White Swire to the Stob Stones – see Walk 4). A few yards beyond a prominent earthwork on the left of the path we are joined by St Cuthbert’s Way from the right, and with the joint long-distance paths continue descending, above Shielknowe Burn and below domed Green Humbleton, to cross Halter Burn, by bridge in winter, by ford in summer, to our starting point.

      Old Halterburnhead below Bught Knowe

      White Swire The first recorded mention of White Swyre (‘swyre’ is the old spelling) was in the Royal Command of 1222, when Henry III of England ordered the Bishop of Durham and the Sheriff of Northumberland, ‘to travel to White Swyre, and there settle the marches (boundary) between England and Scotland, restoring them to their status in the time of King John and his predecessors’.

WALK 6

      A Border Foray over White Swire

Start/Finish	Halterburn Valley, GR 840277
Distance	8 miles (12.9km)
Total Ascent	1070ft (326m)
Grade	2
Time	4 hours
Maps	OS 1:25 000 Explorer OL1 6, The Cheviot Hills OS 1:50 000 Landranger sheet 74, Kelso & Coldstream Harvey 1:40 000 Walker’s Route, St Cuthbert’s Way
Parking	Halterburn Valley, GR 840277, between road and Halter Burn
Accommodation	Kirk Yetholm and Town Yetholm – hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, caravan and camping site, youth hostel at Kirk Yetholm

      A stimulating, waymarked walk offering fine views of the hills above the College Valley and of the eastern Cheviots, both seen at their best on a clear day.

      The ascents on this route are never severe along the way and the paths and tracks are distinct and generally firm underfoot. It is, however, recommended that walking boots be worn as low-lying sections can be squelchy after heavy rain.