W for Wallace, Waterloo, Walks and Woods

Welcome to a Look Around 

"My Scottish Borders"

W is for: 
Wallace, Waterloo, Walks and Woods

 


WILLIAM WALLACE was the Scottish Patriot during the Wars of Independence when he  defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and became  Guardian of Scotland until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk  in 1298. He was captured  In 1305, handed over to Edward I of England  who had him summarily hanged, drawn, and quartered for high treason  

His statue near Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders,  commissioned by the Earl of Buchan, was the first monument to be raised to Wallace in Scotland.  In red sandstone and 21.5 feet high, it was placed on its pedestal  in 1814.

The Duke of WELLINGTON''S victory over Napoleon at The Battle of  WATERLOO  is commemorated in the monument high on the hill at at Penielheugh, near Jedburgh.  A 150 foot tower, it was built between 1817 and 1824 and looks over lush farmland and rolling hills - a notable landmark from many parts of the Scottish Borders. 

The Scottish Borders is WALKING country - not as well known as the Lake District of Yorkshire Dales, but if you want challenging routes or more gentle strolls, this is the place to be, without the crowds you find elsewhere. 

Long Distance Walks across the region include:

• The Southern Upland Way - a 212 mile coast to coast route across southern Scotland.
• Border Abbeys Way - a 64 mile circular route linking the four 12th century Borders landmarks.
• St. Cuthbert's Way -  62 miles  form Melrose to Holy Island  following in the footsteps of the 7th century bishop.
• John Buchan Way - a 13 mil waymarked route through from Peebles to Broughton in the west of the region,named after the author whose family had strong links  with the area.  
• Berwickshire Coastal Path   - a 15 mile trail that takes in stunning sea views, dramatic cliffs, small  fishing villages  and St. Abb's Nature Reserve. 
• Sir Walter Scott Way - 92 miles from  Moffat to Cockburnspath crosses lowland valleys, rollling hills and places steeped in history,  alongside the River Tweed and its tributaries - a land that inspired that inspired this 19th century poet and novelist.  

Forests have their own paths network including Glentress, Yair and CraIk where you can take the trail to the intriguingly named WOLFCLEUCHHEAD WATERFALL  

For the less energetic I recommend a WOODLAND WALK  near my home in Earlston - through Cowdenknowes Wood, whatever the season. 

 Early Spring

June

October - A carpet of autumn leaves with a view of  Leader Water 

 Winter!

Follow the next stage of this
A-Z Journey 

through the Scottish Borders

X is for:
EXplorer. EXcursions. EXpressions and EXhaustion! 

Do take a look at earlier  posts in "My Scottish Borders

A-Z Challenge Preview
A-Z Challenge A - Abbeys,Abbotsford and Armstrong's
A-Z Challenge B - Border Reivers, Border Ballads and Blackmail

A-Z Challenge C - Common Ridings and Carter Bar 

A-Z Challenge D - Dryburgh Abbey,  Duns Scotus and The Douglas Tragedy 

A-Z Challenge E - Ellio's, Earlston, Enigma Hero and Eyemouth Tart 
A-Z Challenge F - Flodden, Fletcher and Flowers of the Forest  
A-Z Challenge G - A Green & Pleasant Land and Galashiels 
A-Z Challenge H - Hermitage Castle and Hawick  

A-Z Challenge I - Inspirational Land  of James Hogg & Will Ogilvie

A-Z Challenge J - Jedburgh, Jedthart Justice & Jethart Snails 
A-Z Challenge K - Kalaidoscope, Kelso and Kinmont Willie   
A-Z Challenge L - The Fair Lilliard and Leaderfoot Viaduct
A-Z Challenge M - Muckle Mou'ed Meg and Melrose 
A-Z Challenge N - Newark Castle and Nature  
A-Z Challenge O - Oxford Connections - Sir James Murray & Mary Somerville 
A-Z Challenge P - Pele Towers and Princely Connections  
A-Z Challenge Q - Queen of Scots and Queen of Elfland
A-Z Challenge R - Rivers, Rugby and Rumbledethumps 
A-Z Challenge S - Scott's, Sir Walter and 'Scott's View 
A-Z Challenge T - Turnbull's and Thomas the Rhymer  
A-Z Challenge U - US Presidential Connection, Unusual Sight & Unusual Facts  
A-Z Challenge V  -Valoour  Votes and Vital Statistics