Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HERMITAGE CASTLE
Known as 'The Strength of Liddesdale',
Hermitage Castle
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
; adult/child £4/2.40;
9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep)
embodies the brutal history of the Scottish Borders. Desolate but proud, with massive
squared stone walls, it looks more like a lair for orc raiding parties than a home for Scottish nobility, and is one of
the bleakest and most stirring of the Border ruins.
Strategically crucial, the castle was the scene of many a dark deed and dirty deal with the English invaders, all of
which rebounded heavily on the perfidious Scottish lord in question. Here, in 1338, Sir William Douglas imprisoned
his enemy Sir Alexander Ramsay and deliberately starved him to death. Ramsay survived for 17 days by eating
grain that trickled into his pit (which can still be seen) from the granary above. In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots fam-
ously visited the wounded tenant of the castle, Lord Bothwell. Fortified, he recovered to (probably) murder her hus-
band, marry her himself, then abandon her months later and flee into exile.
The castle is about 12 miles south of Hawick on the B6357.
Getting Around
Rent hybrid bikes from
Borders Cycles
(
01450-375976;
www.borderscycles.com
; cnr
Howegate & Silver St; 1 day/6 days £18/72; Mon & Wed-Sat)
.
The half-hourly First buses 95 and X95 connect Hawick with Galashiels, Selkirk and
Edinburgh (£7.20, two hours).
RIDING OF THE MARCHES
The Riding of the Marches, also known as the Common Riding, takes place in early summer in the major Borders
towns. Like many Scottish festivals it has ancient origins, dating back to the Middle Ages when riders would be
sent to the town boundary to check on the common lands. The colourful event normally involves extravagant con-
voys of horse riders following the town standard as it is paraded along a well-worn route. Festivities vary between
towns but usually involve lots of singing, sport, pageants, concerts and plenty of whisky. If you want to zero in on
the largest of the Ridings, head to Jedburgh for the Jethart Callant's Festival (
Click here
)
.
Jedburgh
POP 4090
