From Nags to Queens, There are Signs for Everything

Where would we be without signs?  They help us in everyday life, but they can also be rather fun!

Melrose is famous for its Abbey, so it comes as no surprise that they named
a street after it.
Most Border towns have their town crest on all
street names, as can be seen above on the right hand side.

This is the sign from the butchers in Lauder.

I find this sign fairly stands out.  Its on the main roadway
through Lauder.

I found this whilst out walking at 
Sorrowlessfield near Earlston.
This is a place I regularly walk, but have
never seen this before, or can find it since. 

I'm sure there must be a story to this name, but as yet I've been
unable to come across anything.  This is in Jedburgh,
and some believe it may have been the name of an
Inn, of which there were apparently many in
Jedburgh in years gone by.

As can be seen in the picture, this hotel in Kelso, was
established in 1725, making it one of the
Scottish Borders oldest hotels.

Leafer Peeper Season

There is nothing better than on a crisp autumn day to go for a walk & kick up leaves.  Certainly takes me back to my childhood, walking through the park doing just that.  With the leaves starting to change, it gives a new look and vibrancy to the Border countryside.

This is taken in my garden, of a Japanese Maple tree.
Unfortunately the day after this was taken
the leaves all fell off.

There are woods near to where we live called
Speedies Wood.  I love the carpet of leaves here.

Just a week ago this field was still in crop.  Now its all
been harvested.  The hill behind is the Blackhill, near
to Earlston, where the annual Blackhill
Race is run.

Another taken from the garden.  The leaves have just started to change
colour, hence the difference shades you can see.

Whilst in the small village of Kirk Yetholm, I came across these bright
red apples.

Even on a dull day, the colours of the trees brighten the landscape up!

Bright red Rowan Tree in full bloom.

From Cottages To Castles

The Scottish Borders has some amazing houses.  From small quaint cosy cottages, to big imposing mansions, the Scottish Borders has it all.  Many of these are set in the stunning countryside that the Scottish Borders offers.

Cowdenknowes house near to Earlston, is privately owned.
It sits nestled underneath the Blackhill and is surrounded by
amazing trees, which as the picture shows are just starting
to change colour.

The Clockhouse cottage is on the Cowdenknowes Estate.
It's a self catering property that is set away from the hustle
and bustle of everyday life where you can just relax
 in the beautiful countryside.

This manse can be found in the pretty little village of Linton.
It adjoins the church there.

Whilst wandering through the town of Kelso, I cam across
this cottage.  It was part of a row of cottages all with
cobbles to the front.

There are only a handful of thatched cottages in the
Scottish Borders, and this one can be found in the
village of Town Yetholm.  

I have to say I am somewhat biased about this house.  Its the
Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course, but the main hotel is just
stunning. 

Water Water Everywhere, But How To Get Across? Bridges of Course!

Bridges are more than just a way of getting from A to B.  The Scottish Borders have some amazing ones, that do make you wonder how on earth they were built, especially in the days when there was not the technology that we have today.

In the Scottish Borders, there are two main rivers - The Tweed and The Teviot.  Over the years they have been the cause of some amazing photography.

A very iconic bridge - Leaderfoot Bridge.  When the railway was still running in the Scottish Borders, this was one route over the River Tweed.  (Picture courtesy of Susan Donaldson)

These two pictures are of Craigsford Bridge, which crosses the River Leader, near Earlston.  The top one was taken only a couple of days ago & shows how dry the river has become this summer.  The second one was taken in 2012 after torrential rain.  It only took a couple of hours for the river to get this high.

A little gem of a bridge, is near to Cowdenknowes House, near Earlston.  It's on part of the Jubilee Walk.

A nice calm tranquil scene in Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, with a bridge in the background crossing the River Teviot.

This picture and the one below are of the same bridge, crossing the River Teviot in Hawick but taken in different decades.  This one was in the 1970's and shows the old Turnbull Dyers Chimney, an iconic landmark in Hawick, that is sadly no longer there.

Believe this one was in the 1980's.  

The Chain bridge that crosses the River Tweed near to Gattonside, near Melrose.  It was opened on 26 October 1826, with conditions being that only 8 people were allowed to be on the bridge at any one time.  The hills in the background are two of the three Eildon Hills.

 "Auld Stane Brig" that collapsed in Selkirk following heavy flooding. 

Making an Entrance

 There is so much more to the Scottish Borders than you might first imagine.  Its full of rolling hills and amazing landscapes.  But hidden behind all that are some amazing views, treasures and buildings.

You can walk or drive past somewhere and all of a sudden you see something for the first time, even though its been there for decades or longer!

To start off my first blog, I thought I would share some pictures that make an entrance to buildings, churches and houses, just as this is making an entrance to the world of Blogging.

I hope you enjoy.

A rather plain looking church door entrance to Bedrule Church, hides the fact that within is a plaque to Francis Fasson.  He was killed whilst retrieving the Enigma codebooks from an U-boat (U-559) that eventually sunk with him still onboard.  These codes were used to decipher the Enigma Navy machine (Shark) at Bletchley Park during WW2.

The old entrance to the Bridgewell Jail in Jedburgh.

Ornate entrance Gate to Bowden Church

Entrance Gate to Bowhill near Selkirk.  This is owned and lived in by the 
Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch

These two pictures are taken of the main entrance gate to Floors Castle, Kelso.  This is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe.  
The detailing directly above the gates is of the family crest.

Earlston Paths Group, have constructed many walks around Earlston.  This is their last one which runs from Earlston, along side the River Leader to Leaderfoot. 
 It coincided with the Diamond Jubilee, hence the title.