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St Boswells, Scottish Borders, Scotland – Maxi-METHS and AGM

36th Annual Reunion - Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th September 2022

Venue: Buccleuch Arms, The Green, St. Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0EW, Scotland

Participants: Eric (co-leader) &Valerie Scott, Stewart Halliday (co-leader), Jane Smith (guest), Rupert & Sally Roschnik, Mike Macklin, Rhoda Leslie, Gillian & Tony Adams, George & Val Wallace, Yvonne Robb, Jenny & Nigel Horrocks, Neil & Carol (guest) Lawford, Dave Mc Mullan, Maureen Wilson, Kay Black, Judy & Mick Ireson, Miriam Horrocks, Kathy & David Kelly, Janet & Lloyd Woods, Gordon Craig, Stephen & Catherine Temple (new members) – 30 (a record) and Holly the dog

Tuesday 12th September, 2023

On a beautiful afternoon 30 members and guests pitched up at the Buccleuch Arms to be greeted by Eric and Stewart who had organised and planned the meet. We had a sunny evening in the garden to catch up with friends. Also joining us for the evening were Simon Le Gassicke (member) and his friend John Woodman, both of whom were doing the Southern Uplands Way.

Wednesday 13 September, 2023

St. Boswells to Harestanes (13 km with 80m climb)

The day dawned bright and sunny with a forecast suggesting it would stay that way for much of the day. So, after a hearty breakfast at the Buccleuch Arms almost all of the group set off along the main street of St. Boswells. Eric took us down to the golf course where we walked along the edge of it until we got to the riverbank of the Tweed; A brief stop to look at herons on the far bank; then past the mill to Mertoun Bridge. The next section of the river bank was short grass and the river looked stunning in the sunshine. By this point the group had stretched out quite a bit, as expected, and a small group was guided onto a shorter alternative. We paused to look at the spring below Benrig House, “Crystal Well,” before leaving the riverside and climbing the steps out of the lower valley. Here we made a mistake (or I did) forgetting to follow the signs of St Cuthbert’s Way and taking a path and road away from the river too soon. Nigel came to the rescue, having downloaded the route to his phone, and got us back on track and we caught up with the slower walkers at Maxton Church. From here we had a short tarmac section to get us to where St Cuthbert’s Way joins what was the Roman road, Dere Street, but is now a grassy footpath. This runs almost arrow straight for about four miles to our café stop at the end of the walk at Harestanes. The main group stopped for a lunchbreak shortly after joining Dere St in a patch of woodland with a sunny clearing. A group of four decided to carry on. They met an American lady again, having seen her earlier at the golf course, and stayed together for a while getting the opportunity to discuss the differences between our countries. The advance group split again, with George and I keen to try to get the bus at 2.00pm whilst Stephen and Gordon continued more slowly. The main group joined them at Harestanes and caught the 3.00 bus.
A magnificent day on a very varied route, golf course edge, river bank and old Roman road, Thank you Eric.

Neil

Shorter alternative. – Sally, Maureen, Rhoda, Carol & Holly the dog
We had lost the bulk of the walkers before the end of the golf course. Along the Tweed the water was very clear with the weed making wavy streaks. We saw cliffs on the far side of the river which Val said had had sand martens’ nests on previous occasions. After Mertoun Bridge we came to a beautiful broad green sward, but with cattle and a path protected by a double strand electric fence that we had to ensure that Holly did not sniff. We turned away from the river at a sign for St. Boswells on a steep path. When we came to the edge of the houses, we hadn’t a clue where we were so we asked a lady for directions. She gave us directions that avoided the main streets and led us to the marvellous Book/Coffee shop. We could all have happily spent the rest of the day there, chatting and browsing.

Carol

Thursday 14 September, 2023

The Eildon Hills (Eildon Mid Hill 422m and 14km walk)

With a second day of good weather ahead the plan was to walk up the three peaks of the Eildons. Nearly all the group (24) set off to the bus station to catch one of the excellent small buses to Melrose, a town that lies at the start of St. Cuthbert’s Way. Fortunately, there were only a few seats already taken when the bus arrived so there was plenty of room for us all. We alighted in the centre of Melrose and caught a glimpse of Melrose Abbey before turning away from it and taking a road steeply uphill, then turning left by a sign to St Cuthbert’s Way. It was a sharp start, going up quite a long flight of steps to reach open countryside above the town, and then levelling off a bit as the path continued to climb between fields. We paused at a wooden sign and bench before continuing along the path as it turned right then left, rising to a bealach (col) between Eildon Mid Hill and Eildon Hill North.

From the bealach, a small group (6) continued on a direct route to follow the path to St Boswell’s, see below, while most climbed up to the first summit, Eildon Hill North (404m). Back in Roman times this was the site of a signal station with good views over Melrose and the country around. After admiring the views, we descended to the bealach.

The second ascent was up a clear path to Eildon Mid Hill, the highest of the three hills at 422m. More good views, then back down to the bealach where we stopped for a lunch break. After lunch Catherine and Kay left the group and started back to St Boswells and Gordon Craig went on alone own via the reservoir.

The remaining 15 (Stewart, Rupert, Janet, Lloyd, Nigel, George, Mick, Judy, Mike, Yvonne, Miriam, Dave, Steve, Kathy and David) climbed Eildon Western Hill (371m), the third peak, and the most eventful. On the way down, the path was blocked by a large number of fallen trees, so a detour was needed back up and round through the forest before dropping down to rejoin St Cuthbert’s Way, coming out onto open land - various routes were followed through the forest and all worked in the end. After regrouping, the party continued through Bowden village, then followed a path near Bowden Burn, leading onto a kilometre or so stretch of road to Newton St. Boswells. Leaving the road, a pleasant path took us to the River Tweed and followed its bank as it curved toward Dryburgh and then South to St Boswells, coming out near the bus station where we started.

Judy

Direct route to St Boswells:

From the bealach before the first summit, Sally, Jayne, Val, Gillian Tony Adams and Jenny parted company with the main group and continued to follow a very well signposted St Cuthbert's Way down through Broad Wood to Bowden. With Bowden Burn right beside us we made our way through a delightful wooded valley, then along a seemingly endless stretch of tarmac for the last kilometre towards Newtown St Boswells, heading for the Garden Centre for a restorative cup of coffee (and maybe a cake too!!). Too full of the aforementioned, we ended up finishing the last leg of the 7km walk by bus!

Thanks to Eric and Val Scott for walking the route beforehand and suggesting it. It was a great day out.

Jenny

Others

Eric and Maureen (golfing), Neil and Carol (cycling), Val and Rhoda with Holly all did their own thing today.

Friday. 15 September, 2023

The Three Brethren (464m and a 10 km circular walk)

Participants: David McMullan (lead), Janet Woods

Dire weather was predicted for the third day of the AGM meet at St Boswells so when a show of hands was requested for people who wanted to walk only two were raised. The main route finders on the previous two walks did not cover themselves in glory so Eric, fearing the worst if the claggy weather completely closed in, escorted the two volunteers to Philliphaugh car park, near Selkirk to ensure that at least they started off walking in the right direction.

We walked up the direct route from the car park to the three cairns on the summit and then came back on a path that crossed the Northern flank of Peat Law. However from the bealach between Peat Law and Linglie Hill we only had Eric’s guidance to look out for a ‘railway carriage’. There was no sign of any railway carriage but we found a good trail that showed clearly on Google Maps and which led us back to join our up-route and on back to the carpark. Thanks to Google Maps, a GPS and of course Eric’s efforts at the start, we had no difficulties finding the route.

In the event the weather was much better than predicted and, with the exception of the last 30 minutes, there was never more than a light drizzle. It did mist over a bit when we reached the three cairns but on the way down we had clear views over to the Eldon Hills where we walked the previous day. Talking to the others later about their activities during the day, the tapestries did sound fascinating but the two walkers had no doubt they made the right decision.

Dave

Cultural Alternative - Great Tapestry of Scotland

Eric and Val had told us that the Great Tapestry of Scotland was worth a visit as it was only a few miles away in Galashiels. Without any great organisation many cars made their way there to see if it was as good as the recommendation. A Scottish version of the Bayeux Tapestry perhaps?

This tapestry is actually 160 separate panels, embroidered by people all across Scotland and tells a story of the development of Scotland from early to modern times. The work is fascinating with each panel having a similarity in layout but different styles and colours to illustrate the time. At least 12 members visited, Mick & Judy, George & Val, Neil & Carol, Yvonne and Miriam.

The AGM meet was a great success with walks in both sunshine and rain. St Boswells was a great location and for those not wanting walk, there was plenty to entertain; the The Mainstreet Trading Company, selling books and serving cakes and coffee; The Great Tapestry of Scotland; The abbeys – Dryburgh, Melrose, Jedburgh…….

A big thank you to the very friendly and efficient staff at the Buccleuch Arms. It was a great venue; with good food; a folk evening with a local musician on his piano accordion; even a lovely song from our own Kay. Also, big thank you to Jane & Stewart and Val & Eric for organising the meet.

Contributions:

Reports from Neil, Carol, Judy, Jenny and Dave

Pictures from Neil, Jenny, Stewart and Janet