Strawberry Hill rises quietly above Tweedsmuir, its 495-metre summit offering wide, rewarding views after a strenuous climb. From the top, the waters of Fruid Reservoir stretch out below, with nearby Garelet Dod standing watch across the valley. It is a place where landscape and history meet, and where the name of the hill carries a […]

Rising quietly to just 538 metres, the hill was hardly impressive at first glance. Sheep grazed its slopes, and mist often clung to its rounded summit, disguising it as little more than another fold in the Scottish Borders. Yet locals had always called it The Crown of Scotland, a name far grander than the hill […]

FULLY BOOKED Part of Uncovering the Tweed: Join AOC Archaeology for an engaging, hands-on workshop that explores the fascinating world of prehistoric stone technology, part of our Prehistoric Lives theme within the Uncovering the Tweed project. Whether you’re a seasoned field-walker, a passionate prehistorian, or just starting your journey with lithics, this workshop offers something […]

I took part in the first day of the first River Tweed Festival at Peebles (31 October 2025), which was a joyful celebration of watery creativity and inspiration. The forecast downpours held off long enough for participants to gather beside the Tweed and take a moment to connect to the river, its landscape and its […]

Did you know there’s a giant in Tweedsmuir? In the heart of Tweedsmuir, the Giant’s Stone stands at 5’2″ tall and has intrigued locals and visitors for centuries. First recorded in 1834, this enigmatic standing stone is believed to be part of a lost Druidic circle, possibly disrupted by agricultural changes. Two smaller stones nearby—just […]

One of my favourite places near the Tweed is the Colvin Fountain, otherwise known as the Moffat Ram. It is an iconic cast-bronze sculpture which was gifted to the town by philanthropist William Colvin in 1875. Colvin commissioned renowned sculptor William Brodie to craft the black-faced ram fountain which was modelled on a prize-winning ram […]