The Border Country. Alan Hall H.

woodland and areas of scrub grew below 2500ft (762m), reducing and replacing areas of coniferous forest. 4000 Elm tree decline, allowing infiltration by ground vegetation into forest clearings. Human BC 6000–3000 Mesolithic Period: Penetration of settlements along riverbanks, e.g. Rink Farm near Galashiels, Kalemouth and Springwood near Kelso. 3500–2500 Neolithic Period: Saw the introduction of a basic form of agriculture. 2500–2000 Development of a hierarchical society in which ceremonial objects such as polished stone axes and maces were made. 2000–1250 Introduction of new types of ceremonial sites such as beaker burials, individual burials in cairns and cists (stone coffins). The erection of stone circles and standing stones, e.g. Five Stanes Rig, Ninestane Rig and Threestone Burn. 1750 Bronze Age technology introduced into the Borders. 1500–700 An age of open settlements and field cultivation together with hilltop meeting places, e.g. the Eildon Hills and the heights surrounding the glen of Heatherhope. 700–500 Iron Age technology, ring ditches, horseshoe houses with palisaded settlements, e.g. Hownam Rings. 500–200 Iron Age fortifications, with the development of arable and livestock farming, e.g. Glenrathope and the Street. AD 80–105 Roman occupation of the Borders – Flavian’s cohorts established at Trimontium, Melrose. 140–180 Antonine occupation of the Borders – HQ remained at Trimontium, Melrose. 205–212 Severan’s Roman campaigns. 400–550 With the Roman withdrawal a period of tribal warfare, followed by early Christian crusading by the Celtic communities, e.g. the Yarrow Stone. 550–1015 Northumbrian political and religious domination of the eastern and central Borders. Monastic settlements established at Jedburgh, Old Melrose and Coldingham. 1015 Battle of Carham; Berwickshire and Teviotdale incorporated into the kingdom of Scotland. 1128–1140 The four great Border abbeys of Kelso, Melrose, Jedburgh and Dryburgh were completed in the reign of David I of Scotland. 1124–1603 Continuous conflict between England and Scotland, during which the Borders were trampled underfoot by the armies of both sides. When they had passed through, the reivers (fighting families) on both sides of the Border were at each other’s throats. The reiver had no loyalty save that of a blood relationship. Reiver strongholds were the pele towers such as those at Smailholm, Newark, Dryhope, Kirkhope and, the bloodiest of them all, Hermitage. 1603 The Union of the Crowns, after which there was a 100 year period of pacification before peace and prosperity came to the Borders.

      River Tweed to Caddonfoot overlooked by Neidpath Hill (Walk 22)

      Derelict fort at Yeavering Bell (Walk 1)

Public Rights of Way

      This is a grey and troubled area, and it is not within the remit of this guide to go further than state the four criteria needed to establish and maintain a public right of way.

      1 It must have been used by the general public for a continuous period of 20 years.

      2 It must have been used as a matter of right.

      3 It must connect two public places.

      4 It must follow a route more or less defined.

      The law of trespass differs in England and Scotland, especially with Scotland’s ‘Right to Roam Law’ imminent at the time of this edition’s update, and this guide is not qualified to lead the walker through either maze. The author suggests that a serious and courteous enquiry to the landowner, farmer or shepherd regarding the feasibility of a certain route makes life much easier for all concerned. To show concern for others’ property and privacy, as well as the environment, is to show concern for the entire countryside.

      Two publications are recommended:

      Public Rights of Way in the Borders Region, Scottish Borders Council, Newtown St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0SA

      A Walkers Guide to the Law of Rights of Way in Scotland, Scottish Rights of Way Society Ltd, 24 Annandale Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4A. Tel: [phone]

Access

      Rail Links

      Two main lines pass through the Border hills and the Southern Uplands, stopping at Berwick-upon-Tweed on the east coast Intercity line, and Carlisle on the west coast Intercity link between Glasgow and the western areas of England and Wales (Carlisle station is connected to the central Borders by the Scottish Borders Rail Link bus).

      Frequent Intercity services stop at Berwick-upon-Tweed each day, with several slower stopping trains supplementing this service. Carlisle is served from Glasgow, the west of England, Wales and London. Timetables, tickets and fare details are available from Scottish and English railway stations, and travel agents. The telephone numbers of the two stations serving the area can be found in Appendix 3, Useful Information.

      Road Links

      The A1(M) and the M1 lead north to Tyneside from the eastern half of England, and from there the A1 continues north to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Scenic routes from Newcastle upon Tyne are the A697 to Wooler and Coldstream (Chapter 1), and the A68 directly through the Cheviots via Jedburgh to Teviotdale and Tweeddale (Chapters 1 and 2). For southbound travellers four roads lead from Edinburgh direct to the heart of the Borders, the A703 to Peebles (Chapter 4), the A7 to Selkirk (Chapter 3), the A68 to Melrose and Jedburgh (Chapters 2 and 1), and the A697 to Kelso and Wooler (Chapters 1 and 2).

      To reach the Borders from the southwest of England and Wales, take the M5 then M6 motorways north to Carlisle, then travel northeast on the A7 Borders scenic route to Langholm, Hawick and Selkirk (Chapter 3). From Glasgow use the A74 to Moffat, then northeast via the A708 road to St Mary’s Loch and Selkirk (Chapters 3 and 4).

      When a car is used to reach the start of a walk and parking space is limited, care should be exercised to make sure that your parked car does not restrict access and passage for those who live and work in the area.

      Bus Services

      Long-distance City Link express bus services from 29 major cities and towns (including four airports) in England and Scotland pass through the eastern Borders, stopping at Galashiels, Hawick and Jedburgh. Western fringes of the area are served with long-distance buses from the west of Scotland, England and Wales, calling at Carlisle and Moffat.

      Local Services

      As in the majority of wild and lonely areas, the Borders are not particularly well served by local bus services. School buses can be