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Walkers battle against the wind


Darn Hall, to become Barony Castle

Alpacas in the grounds of Barony Castle

Shelter from the wind, through the trees

Lunch in the lee of Ewe Hill

Stiff breeze along open section of road

Good, the cows are not after us!

"This way" points Ian Dickson

Sponsored Walk 26 May 2011
Report by Jim Paterson
Photos Jim Paterson and Dorothy Paterson

The weather forecast for Saturday was dire looking indeed.The walkers were busy digging out their waterproofs as it looked as if it was going to be a wet one!  Ian Dickson, obviously a boy scout in his younger years, had pulled together a Plan B route that offered more shelter from the wind and rain, just in case.

However Plan B was never used, as the sun shone on our band of walkers as they arrived at the front of St. Mungo's Church on the Saturday morning. The wind was what pilots call a "stiff breeze" which means hold on to your seat it's a blustery gale out there and its going to be bumpy.

We headed down to Eddleston village, where we parked up and headed up the road to the Black Barony.  Built in 1536, this stunning manor house, now a luxurious hotel and conferencing venue, is set in 25 acres of woodland. Believed to have been commissioned by Sir Andrew Murray, it was initially built as a border tower. It later served as a family home for many years for the Murrays, an influential family in Scottish history. Originally known as Darn Hall, it is sometimes also referred to as Black Barony Castle. There are many curious stories of hauntings within its walls, and since it has been a hotel so many guests have reported strange goings on that a form is now left in each room for guests to fill in if they happen to experience anything out of the ordinary.

Before reaching the Castle we turned off past the Ice House, where ice for the "Gin & Tonics" no doubt was kept before the arrival of the refrigerator. Heading through the castle grounds we walked north toward Shiplaw, joining the Shiplaw to Lamancha road for a time. We passed the now disused Edinburgh University Observatory, built at the time in one of the darkest spots in Midlothian, ideal for searching the night skies. In fact I am told the well known Sir Patrick Moore visited the Observatory, but that was many moons ago (if you forgive the pun!)

By now we were heading into the Cloich Hills and the hamlet of Cloich itself. The "stiff breeze" was fair ripping at our faces, and Bob Jarmson was starting to look decidedly "weather beaten". We all prayed that demise of the blue sky and the gathering grey clouds would keep moving swiftly across our heads and refrain from pouring down on us. Apart from a spot or two we made it to the lee side of Ewe Hill where we stopped to shelter from the wind and grab some lunch, catching up with the young hares who were a might quicker than the less sprightly among us.

Now lunch is not a quick sandwich and a gulp of water when you walk with Dorothy and Marjorie.  The wine glasses appear, to be filled with a vintage red, brought in a coke bottle! The main course is followed by cheese and biscuits. As Dorothy said "If your going to do it, do it in style!"

Fully refreshed, some of us more than others, we continued on our way. Leaving the lee side of the Ewe hill brought us once more into the full force of the "stiff breeze" which as you see above, made us laugh. Tree felling was in progress and much of the hillside was cleared, removing what shelter from the wind we expected, but it wasn't long before we headed into the woods at Greenside, or Courhope, depending on what your map says, and around Crailzie Hill, to meet up with the Border Drovers way.

But not before we passed through a field of cows. Dorothy has bad memories of cows, having had curious calves approach and pin her to a wall. This field had full grown cows, and they became curious as well, but fortunately not enough to approach and pin us to a wall.

Through the gate we were safely on to the Border Drovers Way, which from the 16th to the mid 19th century was the main drove road between the trysts (fairs) at Falkirk and Crieff, and the main meat market in London. The black Kyloe cattle were prized in London, which, in the mid 18th century, had a population of over 1 million, as against Glasgow Aberdeen and Dundee at less than 12000. At the peak over 100,000 cattle were walked south each year, at least equal to the sheep walked south each year for mutton and wool. 

We were now heading back to Eddleston on the final leg of our walk, downhill toward the Fairdean Burn and Barony Castle. We arrived back at the cars to see the "hares" enjoying a rest on the park benches.

We had made it and were still dry. A quick refreshment halt at the Leadburn Inn gave us the opportunity to chat over a great day which we all enjoyed, and managed to raise funds for St. Mungo's at the same time from our sponsors..

  

Penicuik: St. Mungo's Parish Church (Church of Scotland). Scottish Charity No SC005838