In June 2026, the Albert Watson Memorial Hut, a bike bothy at Tweedsmuir, needed a new roof. The hut was built in 1947 for a Glasgow cycling club and is still used with permission by cyclists wanting overnight accommodation. The cost of the roof repairs was about £3,000, and I estimated I could get 60 people to donate £50 and raise the money over eight weeks. Within 24 hours, I had raised £1,500 and within the week we’d got the full amount! We’ve had many memorable gatherings at the hut, which can sleep up to 12 people, and I love to cycle around here.
Excitingly, the original visitors’ books are still at the cycling hut. Records dating back to 1947.
Eileen told us: I recorded 47 varieties of birds, including crossbills, over the course of one weekend at the bike hide!
[The hut was built by Cycle Touring Club Lothians and Borders in memory of the CTC Edinburgh member Albert Watson, who was well known among Scottish cyclists as a record-breaking tricycle and tandem tricycle rider and contributor to the cycling press. Find out more here]These stories were shared with us during the 2026 Merlindale Nature Festival, held near Drumelzier on Saturday 1 August 2026. With thanks to everyone who added their stories to our giant River Tweed map.
