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 […]

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 […]

This poem 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. On thy banks, classic Tweed, still my fancy shall wander, Though far from the […]

That summer morning in 2024, stepping into Berwick with the promise of Lowry and the Sea. The culmination of destinations. Not just my own, but also in the Tweed’s own travels. From the Southern Uplands of Scotland, right through to meet me here. An old friend calling me back. The walk towards the Granary Gallery […]

My dad died in October 2010 and after the funeral, my sister and her two children (4½ and 2½ months) were able to stay with me and my mum for some much needed family time. We took some day trips out to places we had been to with my dad, taking a picnic and creating […]

Books possess a remarkable power to whisk us away to different times and places. The Borders has long been a muse for writers, inspiring them to create enduring poetry, ballads, and literature that beautifully depict our landscape. Sir Walter Scott drew on Scottish history and landscapes to inspire his timeless classics including several books which […]