Kelso weekend 20th to 22nd September 2024
Twenty members of BDHC enjoyed varied walks around Kelso as part of their September weekend. Although views were limited by autumn mists, between them they covered: a hike into England to the summit of The Cheviot, the highest top in Northumberland; a Corbet, Broad Law; all three of the Eildon Hills; and a section of the Borders Abbeys Way from Melrose to Kelso.
The Cheviot (815m)
Starting near the remote farm at Cocklawfoot, 14 members headed southeast on a grassy track, winding its way up White Knowe to reach a signposted path, crossing into England on part of the Pennine Way. Walkers were saved dancing across peat hags in an arduous bog by huge blocks of stone forming a pavement of slabs for several kilometres to the summit of The Cheviot. Individuals formed an orderly line as they traversed the bog in single file- rather unusual for this club. After lunch huddled in a stone shelter, they had a freer descent on the ridge above a chasm quaintly named “hen hole”. The route then passed Auchope Rig where they signed the book in the mountain shelter hut. By the afternoon, the thick cloud had lifted and returning to Cocklawfoot there were clear views of the rolling hills climbed earlier in the day.
Broad Law (840m)
Broad Law is the highest hill in the Borders, between Peebles and Moffat and is round and grassy. Two pairs of walkers climbed Broad Law on consecutive days, with both parties walking in thick mist and, given such poor visibility, they needed to navigate to the summit. There they could be forgiven thinking they had stumbled across an extraterrestrial scene with a huge air traffic beacon and nearby radio tower. One pair met a radio “ham” speaking to fellow enthusiasts in Japan and Ardnamurchan.
The Three Eildon Hills. (422m)
Following in the footsteps of the C party’s walk the previous day,10 members set off for from Melrose to climb the Eildon Hills via the town centre and onto St Cuthbert’s Way.
An immediate climb up the hill and left into the wood to reveal the first challenge, a huge flight of timber stairs, so long there were two rest areas on the way up. All but two managed without a break! The path continued straight up toward the hill and through the last gate there was a magnificently carved bench to mark long distance walking routes. Clearly brand new as they could still smell the varnish!!
The path meandered uphill through gorse and scrub land until they reached the saddle between the two biggest hills.
At this point, the party split. 2 members did the two biggest hills and then returned to Melrose, the remaining eight took a narrow and very pleasant path around the southern flank of Mid Hill and climbed up to the first peak of the Wester Hill (371m) Although hazy, the cloud base was high enough to reveal extensive views in all directions including the two big peaks to come.
They climbed onto the Little Hill on the way to Mid Hill, more to see how best to climb the very steep sided Mid Hill. The preferred route to climb the less steep shoulder, proved to be a slog due to steepness of the climb, but on unstable scree/shale surface. Although only 422m high the climb thought by some to be harder than many of Munro climbs!!
They were followed up the climb by a family of 4 with a dog. Dad had one child in a harness on his back and the other in a sling on his front!! The chill wind and lack of shelter encouraged the walkers to keep going back to the saddle and, after another loose shaly decent, they had leisurely lunch on the lower slopes of North Hill, passing the time of day with the many walkers enjoying their outing.
After lunch, they had a short, easy climb, to North Hill, a Roman Signal station and then eastward down a steep decline to join the Borders Abbey Way.
They stopped to view Rhymer’s Stone and the stone plaque which marked the spot where the Eildon Tree stood under which Thomas Rhymer, the 13th century prophet with supernatural powers, met and was beguiled by the Faerie Queen. The route back to the car park followed the Borders Abbeys Way and was a gentle, very pleasant end to a very good, and most enjoyable walk. Borders Abbey Way After their hill climbs on previous days, eight members decided to do a gentler walk along the banks of the Tweed, from Melrose to Abbotsford.
This is part of the long-distance route linking the major abbeys of the Borders. The leisurely pace allowed the walkers to enjoy autumn tints and flowers with a solitary salmon splashing in the river. Plenty historical interest along the way including Melrose Abbey and the home of Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford.
A very successful weekend for the club with Kelso a good choice offering varied and interesting walks. It was also very sociable as three members celebrated their birthdays and the Cross Keys hotel an excellent venue to raise a glass (or two).
