There are a few nice routes round Gordon Woodland that you can do any time of year although it can get a bit sludgy in the rain! Lots of wildlife to see here including birds of prey and some deer running about.
Friday, 22 November 2019
Gordon Community Woodland
"Gordon is a small Borders village with a large community woodland of over 200 acres, almost all mixed broadleaves. The wood has a pond, a cabin, a river, old burial mounds and a disused railway line as well as lots of trees, so there's something for everyone and a lot to do." (from woodlandtrust.org)
Friday, 15 November 2019
Cardrona Tower
Cardrona Tower
There doesn't seem to be much historical significance to Cardrona Tower. It was built as a residence and then passed on due to financial troubles some 150 years later, then it was simply abandoned.
This one's quite easy to miss when it's raining and you're marching along with your hood up... as I discovered... spent over 3 hours trying to find it then realised I'd walked passed it 5 times...!
"The 16th century ruin of Cardrona Tower, located in the Tweed Valley Forest Park, has been monitored for over twenty years for the presence of bats by a team of Bat Conservation Trust volunteers and Forestry Commission Scotland rangers.
The work began when the potential for bat colonies within the vaulted roof of the cellar was realised by local bat experts. This significant long-term bat survey has recently been joined by a detailed archaeological laser scan and historic building survey. Both surveys help to enhance our understanding of the important natural and historic features present at Cardrona.
Cardrona Tower is relatively undisturbed, being little visited by humans. Access to the tower is controlled by a locked metal yett (gate). The cellar space allows for a stable cool damp climate – vital for the bats in order to remain in their torpid state. The damp affords them some condensation to drink from and ensures their survival" (from scotlandsnature.blog)
There doesn't seem to be much historical significance to Cardrona Tower. It was built as a residence and then passed on due to financial troubles some 150 years later, then it was simply abandoned.
This one's quite easy to miss when it's raining and you're marching along with your hood up... as I discovered... spent over 3 hours trying to find it then realised I'd walked passed it 5 times...!
"The 16th century ruin of Cardrona Tower, located in the Tweed Valley Forest Park, has been monitored for over twenty years for the presence of bats by a team of Bat Conservation Trust volunteers and Forestry Commission Scotland rangers.
The work began when the potential for bat colonies within the vaulted roof of the cellar was realised by local bat experts. This significant long-term bat survey has recently been joined by a detailed archaeological laser scan and historic building survey. Both surveys help to enhance our understanding of the important natural and historic features present at Cardrona.
Cardrona Tower is relatively undisturbed, being little visited by humans. Access to the tower is controlled by a locked metal yett (gate). The cellar space allows for a stable cool damp climate – vital for the bats in order to remain in their torpid state. The damp affords them some condensation to drink from and ensures their survival" (from scotlandsnature.blog)
Monday, 11 November 2019
Old Thirlestane Castle
Old Thirlestane Castle
This is not the Thirlestane Castle you know! It was the previous residence of the Maitland Clan before they moved to what is now known as Thirlestane Castle.
"Our occupation of Thirlestane begins with Old Thirlestane. All that is visible today is the remains of a peel tower (a fortified tower, usually with one room per floor). This lies just less than 2 miles south east of Thirlestane Castle, on the edge of a small cliff, to the River Leader so has strong defences on one side). The present ruins are thought to date to the 15th century, i.e. when Richard Mautalent was its lord. However, since the records of the former lords of Thirlestane go back to the mid 12th century -1140 or thereabouts, the original tower must go back to around that period." (from clanmaitland.uk)
This is not the Thirlestane Castle you know! It was the previous residence of the Maitland Clan before they moved to what is now known as Thirlestane Castle.
"Our occupation of Thirlestane begins with Old Thirlestane. All that is visible today is the remains of a peel tower (a fortified tower, usually with one room per floor). This lies just less than 2 miles south east of Thirlestane Castle, on the edge of a small cliff, to the River Leader so has strong defences on one side). The present ruins are thought to date to the 15th century, i.e. when Richard Mautalent was its lord. However, since the records of the former lords of Thirlestane go back to the mid 12th century -1140 or thereabouts, the original tower must go back to around that period." (from clanmaitland.uk)
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