Scottish Borders with Johnny Cash

[pedro]

Decided that I was going to make a concious effort this year to see more of my own country. So, saddled up this afternoon with lunch in the top box and Johnny Cash on the Ipod.
Started off with a few pics from the street where I live. The pub is reputed to be the oldest in Scotland and celebrates it's 650th Anniversary this year. Then Duddingston Loch, Thomson's Tower, where Curling originated from. The plaque was cast by an artist who lives in the village and celebrates Jock Tamson who once occupied the village manse. The phrase 'We're all jock Tamson's Bairns' originate here.

 

[pedro]

more

The terraces on the sise of the hill show some of the oldest signs of civilisation in Edinburgh. The hillside was terraced to grow crops as far back as the stone age. The stocks are still outside the local church as well and one of the former landladys of the Sheep Heid was once placed in them for opening on a Sunday.

 

[pedro]

Then

Headed off down the A701 and turned off at Tweedsmuir. One of the lads from work does a bit of cycling down there and recommended the road up past the Talla Reservoir and Meggat Water. These dams form part of the main water supply to Edinburgh apparently.

 

[pedro]

Then

stopped for lunch at Meggat Water. Marks and Spencer Curry, Uncle Bens Rice, Irn Bru and Asda Cookies

 

[pedro]

more

pics again

 

[ghiribizzo]

I shall be along to Dalkeith to get one rather like that on Friday.
Clearly I need to get a Wunderlich bag for the bars now...

 

[pedro]

Then back up through Innerleithen

towards Midlothian. The last pic shows the feint outline of Arthur's Seat in the distance where the journey began.

 

[richthor60]

thats a lovely bike pedro, you should maybe block out the reg. no. in case its cloned, HTH

 

[Jazbee]

I shall be along to Dalkeith to get one rather like that on Friday.
Clearly I need to get a Wunderlich bag for the bars now...

It works better fitted the other way round though

Great picks Pedro, never been through some of these places so need to have a run planned down there soon

 

[pedro]

one more.

 

[Broliant]

Just saw these photos - really great and that route's a personal fave. I normally head south and hook into those roads via the 'Roberton' road off the A7 just past Hawick and that loops me back over to St Mary's Loch, those two reservoirs and back onto the A701 for a pleasant cruise back home.

Striking thing about those photos of the reservoir is how low the water level is. I've got a photo here from August last year and the water was right up at the top of the tower. It's clearly much lower this year.

See photo here...

Anyway, lovely looking bike and nice shots of what was almost certainly a great run. Cheers for sharing!

 

[pedro]

Cheers

Had a look at your pics, see what you mean about the water level on the reservoir . It'll probably be overflowing after today's efforts mind you. Speaking of which, I remembered this other reservoir shot of mines taken in Italy a couple of years back.
Same pic appeared in a Touratech Catalogue as well not so long ago.

 

[Broliant]

I do hope that tower doesn't have a regular full-length church building propping it up underneath!

 

[EmmettC]

That's a favourite road of mine too, I usually head back through innerleithen along the b709 it's a great road too. Pedro I'm literally just around the corner from you, let me know if you need help with your m&s curry next time.


Edit.

Just noticed my avatar pic was actually taken around there

 

[pedro]

Broliant-
Yes the spire does have a regular church right underneath it, along with an entire Italian Village. The valley was flooded as part of a hydroelectric project back in the 30's. The villagers were forced to leave by the Fascist Government and received no compensation for their lost homes. I rode past it again about 10 days ago on my way down to Garda.

Emmet C-
Yes, anytime you fancy a bit of al fresco cooking down in the borders, just let me know. Could have done with taking a few Markies Curries down to Italy with me, barely survived the pasta overdose of the last 2 weeks.

Cheers,

P.