There was formal schooling in Tweedsmuir for just over 200 years. The Kirk Sessions in Tweedsmuir appointed a schoolmaster in 1768, and decreed that a school should be built. This was achieved sometime between 1791 and 1799, although it is reported that there were very few students. Up till then, schooling would have been provided […]

At the mouth of the Tweed, sat right bonny Berwick A Northumbrian beauty was she. With castle and bastle, keeping Reivers barbaric At bay, from the Bear and Wych tree.   An envious eye, noted her form and fare When Kings Malcolm and Owen, took a liking there. With military might, against Utred they battled […]

Ian Brunton shared memories of Peebles in the 1930s, which were recorded in the early 2000s. They are reproduced here by kind permission of The Tweeddale Society from their 2005 publication ‘Peebles Remembered’. Whitie’s Books and Crafts in Peebles have copies. Every August, the boys would wait anxiously for the time when the mill dams […]

Willie Euman shared memories of Peebles in the 1930s, which were recorded in the early 2000s and are reproduced here by kind permission of The Tweeddale Society from their 2005 publication ‘Peebles Remembered’. Whitie’s Books and Crafts in Peebles have copies. There was a stretch east of Tweed Bridge on the north bank of the […]

On the A72, travelling from Dolphinton to Peebles one summer a couple of years ago, I spotted a golden eagle from the road! My favourite circular walk is along the old railway and back, past Barns Tower [between Lyne Station and Kirkton Manor], to look for ospreys. Victoria Park to Hay Lodge (Peebles) – this […]

I recommend the book ‘Witch Wood’ by John Buchan, who lived in Broughton. A great fictional novel in Scots and English set locally – the names and places are changed but it’s clearly this area. The Buchan Way is a great walk. Peebles to Broughton via Stobo, the route is named after novelist and MP […]