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The Borders Ballads

Driving Route

The Borders Ballads

Driving

In the period 1300 to 1603, the Borderland was in almost constant turmoil with wars and feuding between families on both sides of the border; this led to 'the reiver' who made plunder and pillage a way of life.

It was not for enrichment or gain but simply a struggle to survive and Borderers are great survivors. The reiver lived in the marginal hilly lands along the border. He did not conform to nationalist or class stereotype for the reiver could be shepherd, labourer; bonnet laird or belted Earl and were neither Scots nor English but rather viewed themselves as Borderers. This three hundred year conflict produced a race of wild men and strong determined women.

Despite such an unlikely setting, there was an oral tradition of ballads/storytelling that produced what many scholars reckon to be the finest folk-lore from any place or time in the world's history. These are known collectively as The Border Ballads, they are earth poetry, conveying the deeds, feelings and people who lived in the Borders during that troubled time. There are no known authors of the ballads. The travelling minstrels would make song/stones to commemorate notable battle/raids, tales of tragic loves or the supernatural. As early as 1578,

Bishop John Leslie would note that the Borderers
'delyt mekle in thair awne musick and Harmonie in singing,
quhilke of the actes of thair foirbearis thay have leired.’

This tradition had survived in folk memory until the 17th/early 19th centuries when they were collected, sometimes improved and printed.

Sir Walter Scott was one of many noted collectors and spent his spare time riding through the Border hills in search of such fragmentary treasures. His ‘Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border' is the main source of the following trail. James Hogg was another who used ballad sources and some of his tale locations are included.

Downloads:
The Borders Ballads.gpx
height
Distance:
127.5mi / 205km
trending_flat
Total climb:
12,694ft / 3,870m
trending_flat
Total descent:
12,923ft / 3,940m
Towns along route:
Newcastleton, Bonchester Bridge, Jedburgh
Our best efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data, however the data and geographic information contained along route lines and on maps should be used for informational purposes only.

What you'll see

Image of Rhymer's Stone

Rhymer's Stone - Melrose

History & Heritage

Rhymer’s Stone is large stone inscribed with the legend of Thomas the Rhymer, who was said to have the gift of prophecy. Park at the…

Image of Abbotsford

Abbotsford - Melrose

Visitor Attractions

The extraordinary home of Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott, poet, novelist and ballad collector a Borderer whose influence on the literary world of his and…

Image of County Hotel

County Hotel - Selkirk

Buildings, Historic Buildings, Monuments & Statues

Nearly opposite the Courtroom is the County Hotel, a coaching inn much frequented by Scott on social occasions.

Image of Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom

Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom - Selkirk

Museums & Exhibitions

As Depute-Sheriff of Selkirkshire for 32 years, Scott dispensed justice from this room. The Courtroom contains many relics of Scott and his contemporaries.

Image of Philiphaugh Battle Memorial

Philiphaugh Battle Memorial - Selkirk

Historic Buildings, Monuments & Statues, Monuments & Statues

Outside the town, the Rugby and Cricket Fields are on the site of the Battle of Philiphaugh.

Image of Generals Bridge

Generals Bridge - Selkirk

Bridges

Possibly 18th century. Broad single segmentally-arched bridge over Yarrow Water.

Image of Bowhill House & Grounds

Bowhill House & Grounds - Selkirk

Visitor Attractions

Deep in the heart of the Scottish Borders an enchanting country estate awaits you with an adventure playground, exhibition & world renowned art collection.

Image of Tamlane's Well

Tamlane's Well - Selkirk

History & Heritage

The well can be found at Carterhaugh Farm on the right hand side of the road. This is the location of the ballad of Young…

Image of Aikwood Tower

Aikwood Tower - Selkirk

Exclusive Use, Self-catering

Aikwood Tower, a grade A-listed traditional Reiver Tower, is steeped with 500 years of history and medieval charm. It has been sensitively restored in a…

Image of Kirkhope Tower

Kirkhope Tower - Selkirk

Reivers

Kirkhope Tower was originally built in the sixteenth century by the Douglas owners of the Ettrick Valley.

Image of Yarrow Kirk

Yarrow Kirk - Yarrow

Religious Buildings

Built in 1640 when St Mary’s of the Lowes (sometimes called St Mary’s of the Forest) was abandoned by its minister and congregation, they moved…

Image of Yarrow Stone

Yarrow Stone - Yarrow

Ancient

A standing stone, it is highly unusual and has a Latin inscription commemorating two princes of the British kingdom of Strathclyde.

Image of Craig Douglas & Blackhouse Farm

Craig Douglas & Blackhouse Farm - Yarrow

History & Heritage

This is a very ruinous structure of the late 16th century, once belonging to the Stewarts of Traquair.

Image of In the period 1300 to 1603, the Borderland was in almost constant turmoil with wars and feuding between families on both sides of the border; this led to 'the reiver' who made plunder and pillage a way of life. It was not for enrichment or gain but simply a struggle to survive and Borderers are great survivors. The reiver lived in the marginal hilly lands along the border. He did not conform to nationalist or class stereotype for the reiver could be shepherd, labourer; bonnet laird or belted Earl and were neither Scots nor English but rather viewed themselves as Borderers. This three hundred year conflict produced a race of wild men and strong determined women. Despite such an unlikely setting, there was an oral tradition of ballads/storytelling that produced what many scholars reckon to be the finest folk-lore from any place or time in the world's history. These are known collectively as The Border Ballads, they are earth poetry, conveying the deeds, feelings and people who lived in the Borders during that troubled time. There are no known authors of the ballads. The travelling minstrels would make song/stones to commemorate notable battle/raids, tales of tragic loves or the supernatural. As early as 1578, Bishop John Leslie would note that the Borderers 'delyt mekle in thair awne musick and Harmonie in singing, quhilke of the actes of thair foirbearis thay have leired.’ This tradition had survived in folk memory until the 17th/early 19th centuries when they were collected, sometimes improved and printed. Sir Walter Scott was one of many noted collectors and spent his spare time riding through the Border hills in search of such fragmentary treasures. His ‘Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border' is the main source of the following trail. James Hogg was another who used ballad sources and some of his tale locations are included.

St Mary's Kirkyard - Yarrow

History & Heritage

he St Mary's Kirkyard can be found by looking for the signs at St Mary's Loch and climbing the few hundred yards up the slope.…

Image of Henderland Tower

Henderland Tower - Yarrow

History & Heritage

The ruined mound of Henderland Tower sits beside the Dow Linn.

Tushielaw Inn - Selkirk

B&B

Once a toll house for Drovers

Image of Harden

Harden - Hawick

Castles & Stately Homes

Home of he notorious Border Reiver known as Auld Wat, Walter Scott of Harden

Image of Drumlanrig’s Tower

Drumlanrig’s Tower - Hawick

Buildings, Historic Buildings, Monuments & Statues

A recently restored 16th-century building

Image of Goldielands Tower

Goldielands Tower - Hawick

Reivers, Ruins

A watch-tower – many a night its beacon would blaze warning Branxholme of danger

Image of Branxholme Castle

Branxholme Castle - Hawick

Castles & Stately Homes

The ancient stronghold of the Scotts of Buccleuch which stands on a high bank above the Teviot begun its life as a Border pele-tower.

Image of Johnnie Armstrong Memorial

Johnnie Armstrong Memorial - Hawick

Historic Buildings, Monuments & Statues, Monuments & Statues, Reivers

Teviothead is the site where Johnie Armstrong, a noted reiver, met James V under an assurance of safe conduct

Image of Hermitage Castle

Hermitage Castle - Newcastleton

Ancestry, Castles & Stately Homes, Reivers, Ruins

Turn left at Fiddleton Toll where the sign indicates Hermitage Castle. You are now in the Elliot family country

Image of Newcastleton

Newcastleton

Towns & Villages

You are in Armstrong family country. The ballads of Jock o the Syde' (a greater theif did never ryde). "Hobbie Noble' and 'Dick o the…

Image of Bonchester Bridge

Bonchester Bridge

Towns & Villages

Passing through the family lands of the Armstrongs, Elliots, Turnbulls Kerrs and Rutherfords

Image of Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum

Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum - Jedburgh

Visitor Attractions

A Howard Reform Prison built on a medieval castle

Image of Jedburgh

Jedburgh

Towns & Villages

Jedburgh, a town of ancient lineage and modern interest.

Image of Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre

Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre - Jedburgh

Museums & Exhibitions

A 16th century bastle house

Image of Jedburgh Abbey

Jedburgh Abbey - Jedburgh

Visitor Attractions

The Abbey was founded by David I on the site of an earlier religious establishment