Roamin' in the gloamin'

After spending what seems like a week in the driving seat, I took a quick walk along to the end of the road this evening.

This dark path at one time was among the busiest in Scotland. It was the main drove road for sheep and cattle from the Highlands and Islands on their way to the markets in the south.

The drove would consist of 100 to 1000 beasts. Each drover with his dogs had around 60-80 animals. They would travel a dozen miles a day.

At the height of the trade, 100,000 cattle a year were travelling south to Norfolk to be fattened up before going on their last journey to Smithfields Market in London.

The Gipsy Glen here would be a good resting place before the arduous walk over the Kirkhope Law to the next valley at Yarrow.