A Walk in the Woods 2
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Last year there about 15 people on the walk, this year there were around 30, so hopes are high. |
Is it going to rain or when will it stop raining? (click on rainfall for radar picture)
The weather was guiye dour to start with. As we climbed the first hill the visibility dropped and mist descended on us. Half way up Marshall Swinton realised that three were missing so headed back down the hill to get them. He must be the fittest of the lot of us. If I'd gone down I'd never have had the strength to return. By the time we had passed the first summit between Minch Moor (567) and Pipers Knowe (477) the front of the group was no longer visible from the back. Marshall Swinton, who by this time had rounded up the strays and passed us, halted the troops so the old and infirm could catch up.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture. I've compressed the .jpegs by 50% but they are still fairly big files and may take a minute or two to download on dial up. If you have broadband access then you've got no problems. If you haven't got broadband access then, WHY NOT? Full speed B-band with POP3 mail for £29.99 per month at BT.Yahoo
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| First climb from Traquair village to Minch Moor | Nicky Berry receives 1st aid for a particularly nasty blister | 1st Stop to rally the troops as visibility falls | 2nd Stop after crossing Minch Moor in almost zero visibility |
Crossing the Minch moor was a bit of a bind. You could hardly see 50 yards in front of you as the mist thickened. At least it wasn't too cold and most folks had brought light water proofs. Lesley Lindsay was by this time suffering from a couple of real nasty blisters on both heels. Out came the first aid kit...Take note of this Mrs. Celia Renton, not such a daft idea after all eh? (Am I the only husband who's treated like a complete buffoon? No respect for the elderly these days). Lesley hirpled on to the end despite being in some considerable pain. 11/10 for Lesley.
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Historical note 1: To the right or south of the Minch moor road, or Minchmuir, lies Yarrow valley and the route to Broadmeadows, a youth hostel. On a clear day Newark tower can be clearly seen. Newark dates from the 15th century an was used by Scots Kings as a hunting lodge, a convenient base for Ettrick forest. It features in Scott's Lay of the last minstrel. It is best known as the setting for a grisly deed, the repercussions of which can be seen along the SU Way in the pathetic martyrs' tombs. In the civil war the Royalists led by the Marquis of Montrose and the Covenanting army led by David Leslie, met in battle in 1645, at Philiphaugh, near Selkirk. The Royalists were surprised and routed. The victorious covenanting army showed no mercy to their prisoners. Remembering the slaughter of defenceless prisoners in Aberdeen by Montrose's supporters, They herded their captives to the courtyard of Newark and butchered them. Meanwhile Montrose fled over the Minch moor road and rattled the door to Traquair house seeking admission. The laird, a supposed Royalist supporter, pretended not be in and Montrose was forced to move on and eventually escape to Norway.
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We stopped for lunch at the Three Brethren, a group of cairns which mark the confluence of the Lairds properties of Selkirk Burgh, Yair and Bowhill. I think it's known as four lairds lands for some reason. I was once told that each of the cairns is in one of the old shires of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles. Despite it being quite damp and cold by this time most were thankful for the rest. Three Brethren is just past the half way point.
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| Sam the dog keeps look out whilst the walkers break for lunch | It's a struggle getting up but at least its all down hill to Yair bridge |
As we made the descent from Three Brethren and into Yair forest the skies began to clear, just as predicted by Online weather.co.uk and not as predicted by Radio Borders who had forecast gloom and doom all day. Those responsible for the upkeep of the Southern upland way have made a good job of repairing last years damage from flooding, little evidence remained.
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Historical Note 2: "Muckle Moothed Meg" To the North of Minch moor road in the tweed valley lies Elibank forest and Elibank tower. According to legend Sir Gideon Murray of Elibank had caught Willie Scott o' Harden stealing his cattle. Willie was offered hanging or marriage to Sir Gideon's eldest ugly daughter "Muckle moothed Meg". Willie took one look at the unfortunate Meg and chose hanging, but relented later and married Meg. Had this marriage not taken place then one of the Borders most famous residents would never have existed, Sir Walter Scott of Abbotsford is descended from the couple. There is and old salmon fly pattern called "Meg with the Muckle mooth". It's a plain, drab, brown thing and unlikely to excite any self-respecting salmon. A variation of this fly has a tiny fleck of red near the head of the fly, it is known as "Meg in her braws". Doesn't say much for poor old Meg's looks. I particularly like this story as I fish for Salmon on the Elibank beat.
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Whilst climbing is exhausting, descending fair goes for the knees. By the time we'd crossed Yair bridge and stopped at Fairnilee farm mine were aching like hell. Still I don't think I was the only one.
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| Stopped for a break at Fairnilee farm, Yair Bridge | The last leg, the start of a steep climb over the hill to Galashiels |
The last stretch is from Fairnilee farm to The Salmon Inn in Gala. The climb from Fairnilee is not as steep as the first climb from Traquair but after doing 10 miles it feels twice as high and steep. According to the map its know as Hog Hill but I think it should be renamed B****** Hill. This was also the hill where a cow with calf chased me over a barbed wire fence whilst training for last years walk. Bad memories all round. As you proceed through the woods from the farm you come across a path which leads straight up the hill for what seems about 500 yards but probably much less. Looking up there you think you'll never make it but I managed it in better fettle than last year, which was encouraging.
Finally it's down hill all the way to the Salmon Inn. Another walk successfully completed with few casualties. Mind you, there may have been a few more casualties before closing time at the Salmon.
This year's total
£2185 !!!!
The walkers:
Shirley & Tony Hamilton, Nicky and Jake Berry, Lesley Mitchell, Michelle Brownlee, Lesley Lindsay, Neil Rutherford, John Laing, Bruce McClory, David Fairburn, Robert McGurn, Peter Sandison, Shona Lemmon, Stefan Pflug, Brian Frater, Mark Smith, Keith Johnston, Mark Irving, Forbes Shepherd, Richard Forsyth, Gary & Tracey Millar, Gary & Tracey's neighbours (names yet to be found) Jim Milne, Ewen, Ford, and Davy Rennie (father-in-law of Neil Rutherford).
Apologies to anyone who's name is misspelled or omitted...blame Mrs Swints
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| Looking up to Hog Hill summit | The end in sight | Topping up lost reserves | Oh well, go on then, just the one more. |
A big thanks to all who sponsored us
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There is still time to donate, contact Morag - Morag@lahaina.fsnet.co.uk
Don't forget to sign my guest book
Some other good walks around the area
| Short walks around Galashiels area | St Cuthbert's way |
