Fishwick Mortuary Chapel

 

Fishwick Mortuary Chapel is a derelict chapel situated on a small hill overlooking the River Tweed. The chapel and graveyard are surrounded by trees and undergrowth and completely hidden from view. Sitting on the opposite bank of the river to the village of Horncliffe. it is not easily accessible and can only be reached from the Union Chain Bridge when the undergrowth along the river bank has died down and the cows are not present.

The chapel sits on the site of an old 12th century church which once served the medieval village of Fishwick. The "mansion of Fishwick" is recorded in charters of the 11th and 12th centuries and the village is recorded in a survey of the lands of Coldingham Priory in 1300. However, excavations at the site have unearthed a pot from the Beaker era and a skeleton, dating from around 2400 BC indicating the presence of ancient settlements. In 1614 the parish of Fishwick united with Hutton and the village slowly disappeared, leaving only the old church and graveyard. In 1835 the church was demolished and Mr James MacBraire, owner of the Broadmeadow Estate commissioned the building of a mortuary chapel on the site. The chapel was last used in 1914 on the death of Anna Macbraire before the estate was broken up and sold. 

Although only a few remnants of the old boundary wall still exist the graveyard is still accessed via an old iron gate. The ruins of the old chapel sit peacefully amid a copse of trees, surrounded by 17th century gravestones, the oldest of which dates back to 1614. Although the roof has collapsed and a tree has fallen into the centre of the chapel the walls, arched window and doorway are still intact, a silent reminder of days gone by.

Copse Of Trees Surrounding The Chapel

View Through The Gate From The Graveyard

River Tweed At West Ord

 

West Ord is a small area on the south bank of the the River Tweed. It is about four miles from Berwick-Upon-Tweed and not far from the village of Horncliffe and the Union Chain Bridge. This small area is largely farmland with a few holiday cottages, however a small road loops from a small road near to the junction with the A698 along the banks of the river to the hamlet of Loanend. 

This serene and unspoilt spot offers fantastic views across the river. On the opposite bank are some attractive fishing shiels close to the grounds of Paxton House. Approaching from the holiday cottages at the top of the hill are breathtaking views of the river valley and countryside opposite.  At the foot of the hill is a parking spot on the grass beside the sheep and the river, the perfect place to picnic or to embark on a picturesque riverside walk. This hidden gem is a truly beautiful, tranquil haven.

Whiteadder Reservoir

Whiteadder Reservoir

The Whiteadder Reservoir is a man-made reservoir in the Lammermuir Hills in East Lothian, on the border of the Scottish Borders  The reservoir is situated about 11 miles from Duns on the B6355. Leave Duns on the A6112 and turn left onto the B6355. Travel along this road for several miles, passing over the Whiteadder Water at Ellemford Bridge and continue through the Lammermuir Hills before reaching the reservoir. Cross into East Lothian and up a hill with the reservoir to your left. 

There are several places to park near to the water to enjoy the peace and observe the wildlife or continue until the road crosses the water at the northern end where there is a small car park and a path along the waters edge. From the cattlegrid a walking route follows the the old Herring Road to Priestlaw Hill.

Whiteadder Water

The Whiteadder Reservoir and The Lammermuir Hills

Whiteadder Reservoir and The Lammermuir Hills

The Whiteadder Water in The Lammermuir Hills

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/priestlaw-hill.shtml

Dunbar

Dunbar is a small coastal town in East Lothian, Scotland, about 30 miles East of Edinburgh and 29 miles North of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Dunbar is about 22 minutes from Berwick-Upon-tweed by train or 30 minutes by road via the A1.This former royal burgh is the birthplace of John Muir, an explorer, naturalist and influential conservationist. North of the picturesque harbour is the John Muir Country park and a coastal path known as the John Muir Way. At the northern end of the town centre  the ruins of Dunbar Castle proudly overlook the harbour and the sea. 

History
The name Dunbar is derived from the Gaelic word Dùn Barra, meaning "summit fort". The town dates back to at least the Iron Age with evidence of a an old defensive fort. It is thought that St Cuthbert  was born in Dunbar in 634 and worked as a shepherd before becoming a monk in Melrose. Dunbar was originally part of Northumbria but after the battle of Carham in 1018 when Lothian was ceded Malcolm II the town was finally acknowledged as part of Scotland.

In 1072 Dunbar was included in a land grant by Malcolm III to his cousin  the exiled Earl Gospatric of Northumbria. The grant included Dunbar and an extensive area of East Lothian and Berwickshire. The Gospatric family founded the family of Dunbar, the head of the house filling the position of Earls of Dunbar and March. Gospatric built the first stone castle in Dunbar and the town steadily grew becoming a royal burgh in 1370. 

Both the Castle and Town were fought over by both England and Scotland and although the castle withstood many sieges the town was frequently burnt. Although the castle was deliberately destroyed in 1568 the town continued to flourish and both a fishing port and agricultural centre. In 1650 the Scottish army were heavily defeated by Olive Cromwell and his parliamentary army in the "Battle of Dunbar". In the nineteenth century the town became a popular holiday and golfing resort, becoming famous for its "bracing air". 

Dunbar Castle
Although a stronghold existed from at least the ninth century the ruins of Dunbar Castle date from the twelfth century The red stone castle was built by the Earl of Gospatric and was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland. It was built overlooking the town and the sea and although it suffered may sieges the castle never succumbed remaining until it was deliberately destroyed in 1568. 

John Muir Country Park
The John Muir Country Park is an area of woodland, grassland and stunning , rugged  coastline stretching from Dunbar to Tyninghame. The John Muir Way runs through the park on its way to North Berwick and the ruins of Dunbar Castle lie just within the park.

http://www.dunbar.org.uk

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunbar/dunbar/index.html

Dunbar Castle

The ruins of Dunbar Castle are situated on the coast at the northern end of the town of Dunbar in East Lothian and are easily reached by rail by road. Dunbar is about 22 minutes from Berwick-Upon-Tweed by train or 30 minutes by road via the A1.

Although a stronghold existed in Dunbar from at least the ninth century the ruins of Dunbar Castle date from the twelfth century The red stone castle was built by the Earl Gospatric and was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland. It was built overlooking the town and the sea and although it suffered may sieges the castle never succumbed, remaining standing until 1568. 

In 1457 the castle was dismantled to prevent its occupation by the English but was later restored by James IV. In 1548 the castle was burnt by the Earl of Shrewsbury but between 1550 and 1560 was extended by Marie de Guise, the mother of Mary Queen of Scots. In 1566 Mary fled to the castle after her husband, Lord Darnley instigated the murder of Rizzio at Holyrood Palace. In 1567 Mary returned to the castle with her future husband Bothwell when he allegedly abducted abducted her and forced her into marriage 

In 1567 the Parliament of Scotland ordered the castle to be deliberately destroyed, Little remains of the castle today and although inaccessible the ruins stand proudly above the harbour.

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunbar/dunbarcastle/index.html

https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk/the-best-castles/feature-articles/dunbar-castle/

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish Loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault. From Balloch in the South to Ardlui at the northern tip the Loch is 24 miles long and is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Highlands".Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond, about 16 miles from Glasgow and easily accessible by train or car. From Berwick-upon-Tweed the train journey takes about 3hrs changing at Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Loch Lomond forms part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and is surrounded by hills and mountains. Ben Lomond, on the eastern shore is the most southerly of the Scottish Monro peaks. The Loch contains numerous islands, the largest of which is Inchmurrin Island at the southern end, near Balloch. 

The many small villages hugging the shore on the western side of the Loch are linked by the A82. The eastern side is dominated by Ben Lomond and is accessed by a smaller road and walking and cycling routes. The Loch Lomond is a beautiful place to walk, cycle, picnic or cruise with stunning Loch and Mountain Views.

The village of Balloch at he southern tip is the ideal place to embark on your Loch Lomond adventure. Sweeney's Cruises offer a variety of Loch cruises and two National Cycle routes run through the village.  

Inchmurrin Island

Ben Lomond

https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/landscapes-nature/national-parks-gardens/loch-lomond-trossachs/

Balloch Castle

Balloch Castle is a 19th century country house in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire. The castle situated within Balloch Castle Country Park overlooks Loch Lomond and is surrounded by parkland and beautiful gardens. Balloch is about 16 miles from Glasgow and easily accessible by train or car. From Berwick-upon-Tweed the train journey takes about 3hrs changing at Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Balloch Castle was built as a residence in 1808 - 1809 by John Buchanan of Ardoch, a Glasgow merchant. who after purchasing the estate demolished the ruins of the old 13th century castle and had the current building erected, a Tudor Gothic house with decorative turrets and crenellations. Buchanan also established the parkland and gardens around the castle. 

In the early 1830's Buchanan sold the castle and moved into his recently rebuilt Boturich Castle. Balloch Castle passed through several owners and further improvements to the park were made. In 1915 the estate was purchased by the Corporation of the City of Glasgow. The subsequent Glasgow City Council continue to own the estate and in 1971 the house became a category A building. 

In 1980 the 200 acre parkland was recognised as a country park, featuring a walled garden, nature trails, picnic areas and lawns complete with fabulous views of the Loch. 

The Old Castle
In 1072 the lands of Balloch were granted to the Lennox family by King Malcolm III, forming part of the ancient earldom of Lennox, The earls built the original castle around 1238 and held it until about 1390 when they moved to the Island of Inchmurrin in Loch Lomond. The castle, built near to the water overlooking the Loch continued in the hands of the Darnley branch of the House of Lennox until 1852 when James, fourth Duke of Lennox, sold Balloch Castle to Sir John Colquhoun of Luss. Unfortunately the old castle was allowed to fall into to ruin and all that remains today is an irregular mound and moat. 

Balloch Castle From Loch Lomond

Balloch Castle Country Park

The Walled Garden

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/museums-and-galleries/collections/buildings/castles-and-country-houses/castles-and-country-houses-vale-of-leven/balloch-castle/

https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/discover-the-park/towns-villages/balloch/