Hope this is the right place?
When I joined this forum, given a very friendly welcome, Bob (Mailman) was previously unaware of the Scottish Borders. I promised once I was out and about on the XS I would put up some photos of this little corner of the planet.
So I propose to come here every now and again and post castles, bridges, maybe other landmarks and general views. That might give some kind of impression of this region. And how it contrasts with Bob's home in Arizona.
We can't really get out and about just now for Covid reasons. But serviced the wee Honda today and used that as my excuse, and I'm sticking to it, for a quick trip.
You asked for castles?
Greenknowe Tower is the commonest type of castle in the Borders. And it's just a few miles along the road.
It's a fortified house, also called a peel tower. Life in these parts was dangerous in the Middle Ages. Anybody who could afford to would build their house in the form of a little castle so there are many of them. Most are ruined, like Greenknowe. Like many others, the roof fell in long ago, but the walls are mostly intact. They were really built! Sometimes people buy one and renovate - takes a lotta time and probably a lotta money. You end up with your own castle, a house which looks imposing from the outside but inside is probably smaller than it looks, due to those thick walls, with inconvenient internal layout, and unless very well done cold and draughty. For prospective buyers, Greenknowe also is also said to have its own ghost.
The rough stone finish, corner turrets and crow-stepped gables are all very typical features.
Land marks?
The three volcanic summits of the Eildon Hills are visible from most parts of the central Scottish Borders. The central peak is 1435 feet high but they manage to be imposing due to the stand-alone location. And the Eildon Hills are local enough I can go out the door and walk up them.
In fact, first climbed the middle Eildon at age two so they have been part of my life for a long time. So here's another view:
Looking along the wooded Tweed Valley towards Galashiels. The river Tweed is hidden among the trees in the middle of the picture.
When I joined this forum, given a very friendly welcome, Bob (Mailman) was previously unaware of the Scottish Borders. I promised once I was out and about on the XS I would put up some photos of this little corner of the planet.
So I propose to come here every now and again and post castles, bridges, maybe other landmarks and general views. That might give some kind of impression of this region. And how it contrasts with Bob's home in Arizona.
We can't really get out and about just now for Covid reasons. But serviced the wee Honda today and used that as my excuse, and I'm sticking to it, for a quick trip.
You asked for castles?
Greenknowe Tower is the commonest type of castle in the Borders. And it's just a few miles along the road.
It's a fortified house, also called a peel tower. Life in these parts was dangerous in the Middle Ages. Anybody who could afford to would build their house in the form of a little castle so there are many of them. Most are ruined, like Greenknowe. Like many others, the roof fell in long ago, but the walls are mostly intact. They were really built! Sometimes people buy one and renovate - takes a lotta time and probably a lotta money. You end up with your own castle, a house which looks imposing from the outside but inside is probably smaller than it looks, due to those thick walls, with inconvenient internal layout, and unless very well done cold and draughty. For prospective buyers, Greenknowe also is also said to have its own ghost.
The rough stone finish, corner turrets and crow-stepped gables are all very typical features.
Land marks?
The three volcanic summits of the Eildon Hills are visible from most parts of the central Scottish Borders. The central peak is 1435 feet high but they manage to be imposing due to the stand-alone location. And the Eildon Hills are local enough I can go out the door and walk up them.
In fact, first climbed the middle Eildon at age two so they have been part of my life for a long time. So here's another view:
Looking along the wooded Tweed Valley towards Galashiels. The river Tweed is hidden among the trees in the middle of the picture.