The house and estate of Makerstoun was home of the Makdougall family for many years. In 1860, following the death of Sir Thomas Brisbane, it was inherited by Maria Scott Makdougall, a spinster, 76 years of age. Miss Makdougall was a staunch teetotaler who now found herself in possession of one of the finest wine […]

FULLY BOOKED There are more than 40 towers known along the Tweed corridor. Towers of the Tweed, one of the research themes of Uncovering the Tweed, will investigate and visit several of them to explore stories around particular tower house sites. Elements of the sites will be recorded digitally using photogrammetry and laser scanning, with […]

Wordsworth climbed from his carriage and held out his hand to wife Mary and sister Dorothy. The crunch of their small feet on the gravel drive startled a robin, who sang as it watched the three visitors look up at Abbotsford. “Such a fine house and a peaceful place,” William said as the front door […]

This tale was contributed by The Wilson’s Tales Project which celebrated the life and stories of Tweedmouth-born John Mackay Wilson and his ‘Tales of the Borders’ through a series of events for all ages supported by a Destination Tweed Community Grant. The monks of Dryburgh heard the Laird of Meldrum, was dying. Two brethren set […]

In 1964 the Inspector and Chemist of the Tweed River Purification Board issued one of his regular reports, with details about water abstractions and pollution incidents. Examples include: • There were many complaints about the dumping of soot and a letter was sent to all chimney sweeps in the Borders about proper disposal arrangements. • […]

In the 1950s an unusual and ambitious body was set up – the Tweed River Purification Board. This body viewed the Tweed as a whole, crossing local authority borders, and aimed to make the Tweed a clean and healthy river. The make-up of the Board in 1954 was a sign of the times – including […]