Drumelzier is a special place where my family roots are and the Tweed provides the backdrop. My father was born at Drumelzier Place Farm around 1914. The Browns lived all around the area, Tweedsmuir, Drumelzier, Broughton, Biggar. Lovely memories spending holidays there with grandparents. I learned to swim in the River Tweed.

I swim in the River Tweed all year round, she has become a playful companion in my life and I often have wildlife encounters particularly when I’m alone in the water. When you are just a bobbing head you no longer present such a threat to the wildlife, particularly birds. I have crept up to […]

Writer John Mackay Wilson (1804-35), who was born and lived in Tweedmouth, returned to his hometown to take up the role of Editor to The Berwick Advertiser in 1832. Two years later, he started publication of his Tales of the Borders, which became international bestsellers for the best part of 120 years. Sadly, Wilson died […]

After the Second World War, an unusual figure became part of life in the Scottish Borders: Wojtek, the Polish soldier bear. Adopted as a cub by Polish troops in the Middle East, he travelled with them across the Mediterranean and through wartime Italy, where he became famous for helping carry ammunition during the Battle of […]

Summer, what summer. There hasn’t been one The rain, the wind, the chill and the cloud When will it ever end All summer long we wait, more in hope now than expectation Scottish kids go back to school, no sun; robbed of their regular summer glow And yet… and yet…..these last few days… The grandkids […]

Raised in Kelso the river Tweed was always close, whether swimming in the Cobbie Pool, dismissive of stories of danger and drowning or trout fishing, usually unsuccessfully on the Teviot. Work took me away from the Tweed for most of my working life, only to return to Birgham on retirement. By this time I had […]