Earlston Parish Church Choir Outing to Morebattle on the edge of the Cheviot Hills in the Scottish Borders - June 1906. This involved a 20 mile (one way) hilly journey on a crowded wagonette, with no protection against the elements! For the passengers, this looks all too precarious. and I guess many would have to get off when it came to going uphill.
The countryside around Morebatle today - here at the next village of Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish-English border. Kirk Yetholm marks the end of Britain's first long distance walk - the 268 mile Pennine Way.
However
the choir's experience did not deter the members from taking a similar
trip in 1908 - here outside the Red Lion Hotel in Earlston, ready to set
off for the Yarrow Valley - another 20 mile twisting journey. The
puzzle is the group could have taken a train from Earlston to the
nearest town Selkirk and then finished their journey by horse and
wagonette to Yarrow Manse, where they enjoyed refreshments = and a photocall (below).
looking over to the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys.
This was the region that was prominent in the days of the Border Reivers, in the 14th-16th centuries, with feuds not only with their English neighbours but also between local families in the Borders - with names at the forefront Scott, Armstrong, Turnbull and Elliot- and many more. One historian likened it to the times of the American wild west in terms of its lawlessness, family feuds, raid and counter
raids, murder and treachery!
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I sure wouldn't want to have been sitting on the outside of those wagonloads of people when the wheels hit a bump...I'm afraid I'd be out on the road!
ReplyDeleteI've ridden in horse-pulled conveyances and the ride is not all that comfortable. I'm with Barbara! That outside seat would be a little nerve wracking! :)
ReplyDeleteI just know there was singing. Lots of singing! I imagine the horses found this stimulating for their pull too. It's a lovely countryside, better enjoyed slowly by wagon than quickly by car.
ReplyDeleteThey were definitely in for an "entertaining" ride with that many people on the wagon! Like everyone else is saying, I would not want to be sitting on the outside! Lol
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a Wild West-like era in British history.
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos and description. I must rummage further in my family photos for a good horse and wagon picture that I'm sure is hiding in there somewhere.
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