In the wild lands

We thought we had been to Hermitage Castle, especially as I unearthed an old guide book, but as soon as we got there we knew we had never been. An impressive castle in a wild landscape. This is the ‘debateable lands’, a lonely area fought over for many centuries. Hermitage was in a strategic position for controlling the border and it saw much action and bloodshed over the years. And of course there are links with Walter Scott as he was interested in all the myths and legends associated with it.

I don’t think it gets many visitors and the Steward in his little cabin was very happy to tell us all about the place. A fine castle, much taller than it looks from a distance (see extra).

We had started the day at ‘Hidden River’ near Longtown, Gordon’s choice for breakfast (well it is his birthday tomorrow) and an excellent breakfast it was too. We are now in a hotel in Canonbie and will soon be heading back to Langholm for something to eat and then to the Buccleuch Centre to see . . . well of course Phil Cunningham and Ali Bain.

Before going on to Canonbie we called in at Langholm and found a castle (well bits of a castle). All the many times we have been in Langholm over the years, for one reason or another, and we didn’t know it had a castle. And we found a geocache - amazing!