BAMBURGH CASTLE

Whilst staying on Holy Island, it was a short drive down the coast to the village of Bamburgh where we were able to visit the historic castle.

Bamburgh Castle, is on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland and is a Grade I listed building.

The site was originally the location of a Celtic Brittonic fort known as Din Guarie and may have been the capital of the kingdom of Bernicia from its foundation c. 420 to 547. In that last year, it was captured by King Ida of Bernicia. After passing between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons three times, the fort came under Anglo-Saxon control in 590. The fort was destroyed by Vikings in 993, and the Normans later built a new castle on the site, which forms the core of the present one. After a revolt in 1095 supported by the castle’s owner, it became the property of the English monarch.

In the 17th century, financial difficulties led to the castle deteriorating, but it was restored by various owners during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was finally bought by the Victorian era industrialist William Armstrong, who completed its restoration. The castle still belongs to the Armstrong family and is their private home. It is open to the public.

[Wikipedia]

The view of the village from the castle walls

Etched into the walls of the “dungeon”

ImageImage 1     -*-*-*-     Image 2

Nesting birdUhtred of Bebbanburg

Bamburgh, under its Saxon name Bebbanburg, is the home of Uhtred Uhtredson, the main character in Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories. He is one of the few characters in the show “The Last Kingdom”to be fictional. The book series became a TV series and this character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg is loosely based on Uhtred the Bold, an ealdorman of all Northumbria from 1006 to 1016.

KIRKCALDY, FIFE, SCOTLAND

Our last day at South Queensferry, we made sure we took the train across the famous Forth Rail Bridge (and back) and then drove to Kirkcaldy in Fife, the long way around by driving to the Kincardine Bridge. We returned via the newer Queensferry Crossing Bridge so have now crossed all three Forth bridges.


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Remembrance Monument, The Rail Bridge Bistro, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:-
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND BOYS WHO WORKED ON THE FORTH RAIL BRIDGE AND THOSE WHO DIED DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION


Train from Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh-Aberdeen Line, Dalmeny, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Forth Road Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Train Emerging from Tunnel, Fife Circle Line, North Queensferry Railway Station, Fife, Scotland UK


Tanker Berthed, Hound Point Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Former Coast Guard Quarters, Battery Road, North Queensferry, Fife, Scotland UK

Former accommodation of married Coast Guard officers, patrolmen and their families. The property was effected as a result of the Forth Bridge Railway Act of 1873, which gave the Company the right to acquire the old Coast Guard Station to make way for the building of the then new Forth Bridge. However, the Company was obliged to construct suitable new Coast Guard buildings to the satisfaction of the Admiralty. It was as late as 1911 before the site was disponed to the Admiralty by the Bridge Company, the site being occupied between 1873-1911 under the terms of the Act. In 1899 the Royal Navy took over an area of the site and formed a gun battery which was used during the First World War. Prior to this, the six cottages were built between 1882 and 1883 as a Coast Guard Station and these consisted of an officer’s house, five cottages and a Watch House, also known as High Battery (formally to E of cottages). The present signal station tower was erected around 1917 and it was at this time that the Coast Guard Station was dis-used. The cottages were used between the Wars to accommodate the Forth River Pilots. It is understood that there were no gun emplacements on the site during the Second World War. The existing external WCs became redundant and are now used as stores.


Inchgarvie, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Uninhabited now but was inhabited at various periods going back to late 15th century. The place has quite an interesting history that can be read here;


Betty Nicols, 297 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Historical documentation for the property dates back to 1741 for a hostelry on the site and the pub as it is now was built as an exact replica of the original in 1902 with a plaque on the outside of the building confirming this.
The pub has a reputation for ghosts and there have been several visits from psychics and the Scottish Paranormal Society, who have found activity in all parts of the pub. In particular the cellar area, which is part of the original building and is reputed to be built on a monks’ cemetery, has a strange atmosphere and presence and the lounge area is said to be haunted by a man and dog. The cellar area, where the outlook was to the sea, contains a blocked up tunnel which is believed to have been used by smugglers in bygone years and during the Second World War Polish airmen were billeted in the cellar area.


Former King’s Theatre, 262 High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Masonic Hall, West Quality Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription above door:-

“MASONIC HALL. PRESENTED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL OF ROSSLYN 1890”
A church from 1845 and a Masonic Hall from 1890.


Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Built in 1576 and seriously damaged by Cromwell’s troops storing munitions that caused an explosion in 1651. Extensively restored in 2009.
Category A Listed Building.

Image 1     *****     Image 2     *****     Image 3

Steps, Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Inscription in pavement:

“The Royal Burgh of Dysart’s mercat cross stood near to this spot”

Dysart Toll Booth & Town House, Cnr High, Cross & Victoria Streets, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Formerly The Mechanics Institute, 54-56 High Street, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Baxters was a pub but is now permanently closed.


Coat of Arms, The Mechanics Institute, High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

” Sigil. de Dysert.” The “General Armory,” however, blazons this as a coat-of arms, with the field argent and the tree proper.

The Pineapple emblem may be associated with William of Wallace.


Coastal View to West Wemyss, The Walk, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Saipem 7000 & Fidra Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Oil Platform, Firth of Forth, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


“The Walk”, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


St Serf’s Church Tower, Shore Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

St Serf’s is a 6 storey church tower dating to around 1500. St Serf’s church was abandoned in 1802 and demolished in 1807 and only the tower and cemetery remains now.


Erosion Defences, Beach Front, Pan Ha’, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Oil Rigs, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Boat on a Slip, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Stone Breakwater, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Stone Breakwater & Slipway, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Derelict Harbourside Building, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK


Harbourmaster’s House, Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart Harbour, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland UK

Now operates as a Café


Lamp, Car Park, Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK



INCHCOLM ISLAND VISIT

A day outing while in South Queensferry is to take the tour boat from Hawes Pier (right outside our hotel) to Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth.

The island has been the subject of raids by the British during Scotland Wars of Independence and more recently fortified as defence for Edinburgh in both World Wars. This post covers the trip to and from the island and a view of some of the defensive positions.


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Tugboats, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

These tugs service the shipping attending the nearby “Hound Point” oil facility.

Corringham     (top)      Hopetoun     (bottom)


Hound Point Oil Terminal, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Hound Point is a marine terminal off a rocky headland of that name on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Scotland, just east of the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry. Built by BP and opened in 1975, it is owned and operated by Ineos as an oil-export terminal for North Sea oil and is the largest such facility in Scotland. It is supposedly named for the legend of a hound who howled after its master died in the crusades.


Hound Point Oil Terminal & Forth Rail Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Gnome Rock, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Old Dock, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Bay, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Towards Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Rock Strewn Beach, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Rocky Hillside, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Pathway to Wartime Defence Positions, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Tunnel Remains, Middle Defences, Inchcolm, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Wartime Fortifications, Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth, Scotland UK


Seals, Navigation Buoy 17, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Below the Bridges, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Queensferry Crossing      Forth Road Bridge     Forth Rail Bridge


Queensferry Crossing Bridge, Firth of Forth, Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

This is the second road bridge to cross The Firth of Forth and was opened in 2017.


Forth Road Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland. The bridge opened in 1964 and at the time was the longest suspension bridge in the world outside the United States. The bridge spans the Firth of Forth, connecting Edinburgh, at South Queensferry, to Fife, at North Queensferry. It replaced a centuries-old ferry service to carry vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians across the Forth; railway crossings are made by the nearby Forth Bridge, opened in 1890.


Forth Rail Bridge Pylon, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Coloured                                            Black & White


SOUTH QUEENSFERRY

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Firth of Forth Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The “Forth Rail Bridge” on the right, was opened in 1890 and is a UNESCO Wold Heritage site. The “Forth Road Bridge” the central bridge was opened 1963 and the newest bridge is “Queensferry Crossing” which opened in 2017 and is on the far left.

South Queensferry Lighthouse, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A category B listed building since 1971, it was built by the Scottish civil engineer John Rennie in 1812, probably in collaboration with Robert Stevenson of Bell Rock fame, and is contemporary with the pier itself (also a Rennie work). It was a beacon to guide the ferry which operated between Hawes Pier and North Queensferry before being made redundant by the construction of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964.

Rusted Mooring Ring, Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Hawes Pier, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The pier was also constructed by Rennie in 1812.

Old Roadside Marker, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Former ‘Seals Craig Hotel‘, 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Doors of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Brass Plate, Vennel Kirk, The Vennel, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The church has now been converted to a private residence.


Masonic Lodge & South Queensferry Mosaic Mural, The Vennel & Hawthorn Bank, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The first school in Queensferry was at the top end of the churchyard of the Old Parish Church in the Vennel. In July 1671, it was decided to build a school using local stonework, at the south end of churchyard. The school was ready for occupancy in 1672 and still stands today as the Masonic Lodge.

Residential Block, Brewery Close, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Jubliee Clock Tower from The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian. Scotland UK



“Loan House”, 10 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category B Listed Building
The property fell vacant in the later 20th century and was gutted by fire in 1987. In 1990 the building was restored, with the addition of a north wing, by Douglas Abrahams and Partners for use as offices. As a result of the fire the original interior was lost and the interior of the building had to be rebuilt. Now Scottish Motor Trading Association Offices.

“Priory Lodge”, 8 The Loan, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category c Listed Building – 19th century gothic. This house is the only example of this style in the town centre.

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plate – The National Trust for Scotland

Door – Marriage Lintel

The inscription above the door reads :-

[SPES MEA CHRISTUS, ‘Christ is my Hope’, and an anchor which indicates the occupation of the owner of the house. SW-AP were carved in relief with the year of the building, 1641.]

C.1641 – See its history here!


Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Now a grade A listed building, the Priory Church is the only Carmelite foundation in the British Isles still in use for regular worship, out of the 12 founded in Scotland and the 39 in England.
George, the Laird of Dundas, invited the Carmelite Friars to come and settle in Queensferry around 1330. They were in temporary buildings until a century later. Architectural style suggests this was built no earlier than 1457.

Door Knocker, Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, Cnr Rose Lane & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


“1884”, Rose Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information to identify this symbol. It does look like what may have been an early Masonic Symbol.

Bellstane Bird, Bellstane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bellstane takes its name from the ringing of the bell which was rung to tell people the market was about to start. The actual bell is now in Queensferry museum.


Harbour Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Bay View, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Forth Rail Bridge, Firth of Forth, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Slipway, Gote Lane, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Dedication Plaque, Rosebery Hall, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK


Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Inscription:- In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

Waterside Residential, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

Scrolls, “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The upper floor of Black Castle has 3 sets of windows, each with carvings and scroll details. The eaves above two of the dormer windows bear the date of construction (1626), along with Lowrie’s and Speddie’s initials. (WL – MS)

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Well Head, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

A site where locals were able to draw water

Door Steps, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Belhaven Sign, Anchor Inn, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Interior scenes of Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

“Weihenstephan”, Orocco Pier Hotel, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

ARRIVED AT SOUTH QUEENSFERRY, SCOTLAND

We reached our destination of The Hawes Inn under the famous Forth Rail Bridge, late afternoon and immediately went walking about. We spent a couple of hours here back in 2016 on a previous trip and were keen to take a better look over the place.

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 The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Formerly known as the Newhalls Inn, this is a category ‘B’ listed building with several additions and alterations over the years. It was certainly renamed the ‘Hawes Inn’ by 1886. In fact evidence shows that in the book “Duncan’s Itinerary of Scotland 1820” it is listed as “The Hawes Inn” then.
​The Hawes Inn, 7 Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, is a late 17th century Coaching Inn, with a date stone [Marriage Lintel] on the south east wall which says JS- 1638- BB, taken from the old house, Newhalls (no information on the ‘old house’ as yet). These initials are believed to be merchant John Smith, and his wife Bessie Bathgate. During the eighteenth-century, the inn was used as a change house for stagecoaches using the Newhalls Ferry and the adjacent ‘Hawes Garage’ used to be the stables and coach-house.

Rear of The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn & Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Stone Window Frame [1893], The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Pub Sign, The Hawes Inn, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
The Hawes Inn Sign at Night, Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
      Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and it was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Duke of Rothesay, the future Edward VII. The bridge carries the Edinburgh–Aberdeen line across the Forth between the villages of South Queensferry and North Queensferry and has a total length of 8,094 feet (2,467 m). When it opened it had the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world, until 1919 when the Quebec Bridge in Canada was completed. It continues to be the world’s second-longest single cantilever span, with a span of 1,709 feet (521 m). Completed in 1890, it is considered a symbol of Scotland (having been voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016), and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge (to distinguish it from the adjacent Forth Road Bridge), although this is not its official name.

Award Plaques, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

 Stone Pylons, Firth of Forth Rail Bridge, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 Forth Road Bridges, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The bridge in the foreground is the oldest opening in 1964 and the background bridge opened in 2017. It is a  1.7 miles (2.7km) structure & the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is also by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span. When we passed here in 2016 it was still under construction.

  “Thirty Knots” Newhalls Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
 The Ferry Tap, 36 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

The building was erected in 1683 states the plaque on the wall and was originally a house. When it became an ‘Inn’ is unknown so far. There is no mention of it in the early census information for Queensferry. The first information found is in the 1881 census, when, as a hotel, it was named the ‘Prince of Wales’ until pre March 1890. When the future King Edward VII opened the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge in March 1890, the hotel’s name was changed to ​‘The Forth Bridge Hotel’. The Hotel suffered a fire in 1907 and it had to be rebuilt. Jessie Mackenzie was proprietor at this time. There was another fire in 1976, remembered by locals, and it was closed for a while. The new owner, Neil Waterman re-opened it as a public house with the rooms upstairs converted into flats.
Later it was renamed ‘The Forth Bridges’ and with another later name change it became ‘The Ferry Tap’.

Anchor Inn, 10 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

It is believed to be the oldest “Pub” in Queensferry (not being a “hotel”), and is definitely the smallest ‘pub’ in Queensferry, a traditional village pub.

 “Black Castle”, 43 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “A” Listed Building c. 1626. In 1626 mariner and explorer Willam Lowrie built the house for him and his wife Marion Speddie to live in and it is believed that the home would have originally been sandstone in colour. The name was most likely adopted during the “Witch Hunts” of the 1640s.

See a history surrounding its macabre story.

Old Buildings in East Terrace, Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

East Terrace is a roadway above the Edinburgh Road. The steps seen above lead to it.

Edinburgh Road to Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Doorway of Former 'Seals Craig Hotel', 23 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Category “C” Listed Building. c.1870

Orocco Pier Bar & Restaurant, 17 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

South Queensferry Tollbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

History of this building:   The building incorporates The Jubilee Clock Tower & Roseberry Hall.

Stone Steps, Tolbooth, 19 High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

Plewlands House, Cnr The Loan & Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

This another property with a history. Unfortunately I did not photography the great Marriage on the doorway but see it here in Google Street View.

History is here:

See also:   Image 1 … & …   Image 2

Memorial to John Reid, High Street, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

In Memory Of
John Reid
Provost of the Burgh
Of South Queensferry
1884 – 1899

"Craig View", 5 Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK
Old Street Sign, Newhalls Road-Edinburgh Road, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland UK

HAYDON BRIDGE to SOUTH QUEENSFERRY (Scotland)

We proceed further on our trip leaving Haydon Bridge and heading across the border and into Scotland with our destination and stay for the next few days being South Queensferry

Google Maps View of Locations

Old Bridge, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

The old bridge built in 1680 is now a pedestrian bridge only. It is a Grade II Listed Building

England-Scotland Border Stone, Carter Bar, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Jedburgh Abbey, Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, UK

Jedburgh Abbey & Canongate Bridge, Abbey Bridge End, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, UK

Jedburgh is one of the four great abbeys established in the Scottish Borders in the 1100s. David I founded a priory here in 1138 and raised it to abbey status in 1154. The brethren may have come here from St Quentin Abbey, near Beauvais, France.  Monastic life was largely routine. But the abbey’s border location meant it was caught up in the conflict between Scotland and England in the later Middle Ages. The canons had to evacuate the premises during the Wars of Independence in the 1300s. The demise of Jedburgh’s monastic life was sealed by further attacks in the 1400s, major raids in the 1500s & the Protestant Reformation of 1560.

We did not visit the ruins as we had done so on a previous visit.

Trinity Church, Cnr Newcastle & Oxnam Roads, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland UK

Melrose Abbey Ruins, Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Unfortunately I could only walk around the outside of the building itself as it was undergoing preservation work and was considered dangerous within the ruin.

The abbey was founded in 1136 by King David I of Scotland. It was established by the Cistercian monks. It was attacked several times and following a foray by Richard II in 1385 it was completely rebuilt.

Only a very small part of the first abbey church survives. The present building of rose-coloured stone dates almost entirely to the post-1385 rebuilding. Yet Melrose is still considered one of the most magnificent examples of medieval church architecture anywhere in the British Isles.

It is the place where the heart of Robert the Bruce was interred.

Commendator’s House Museum, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

The Commendator’s House Museum lays claim to having the largest collection of medieval artefacts on display anywhere in Scotland. It forms part of Melrose Abbey.

A commendator is a person who is responsible for overseeing a benefice, which is a type of church property. They are called “commendators” because the property is entrusted to their care. In history, a “commendatus” was someone who swore loyalty to a lord and was placed under their protection.

Doors of the Commendator’s House, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1     *****     Image 2     ***** Image 3

The centre image is a door with a “Marriage Lintel”.  The initials of James Douglas, the Commendator of Melrose Abbey & those of his wife Mary Kerr of Ferniehirst (whom he married in 1587), appear with the date 1590 on a recut lintel over the main entrance. This was a common practice of the times but died out by the end of the 19th century.

The lintels serve as a record of a marriage and the joining together of two families, who were often aristocratic or monied. Lintels could be added to a building which was built specifically for the married couple, or were carved into a pre-existing lintel. They were always set over the main entrance and some also appear inside houses, above the most visible fireplace. Wherever they were placed, they were meant to be seen. They are a feature of the east coast of Scotland and date primarily from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries.

Windows, Commendator’s House, Melrose Abbey, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Window 1 Window 2
Window 3 Window 4
Window 5 Window 6

Corbels, Commendator’s House Museum, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Corbel 1 Corbel 2

Corbels were supports for the beams set into walls. These came from domestic buildings associated with the abbey. c1200s

Road Sign, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Old Stone Gate Posts, Harmony Cottage, Abbey Street, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1 Image 2

Turret Clock Works, Commendator’s House, Cloisters Road, Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

This was erected on the end of the abbey church in 1762.

Old Tweed Bridge, River Tweed, Galashiels, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders, Scotland UK

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3

The Old Tweed Bridge was opened by Sir Walter Scott in 1832. Having operating as the main link between Selkirk and Galashiels for 140 years. It is now a dedicated pedestrian bridge.

HEXHAM ABBEY, NORTHUMBERLAND, ENGLAND

While staying at Haydon Bridge, we took a drive to the nearby town of Hexham and visited its magnificent abbey, a site that dates as far back as the year 664.

Visit this page for the historical account of the abbey

Google Maps View of Locations

Image 1     **     Image 2

Image 1     **     Image 2

Image 1     **     Image 2

LANERCOST PRIORY RUINS & THE CHURCH OF ST MARY MAGDALENE

We stumbled upon this place after  visiting Vindolanda & Hadrian’s Wall.

Old priory that played host to both King Edward I and Robert Bruce during in its tumultuous history.

An excellent detailing of the history of the priory can be found at this site:-

English Heritage.

Google Maps View of LocationThe Ruin of the Gateway Entrance to the site.

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Side Door of Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Interior, Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UKMemorial Plaques

Image 1Image 2

Internal Doorway, Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Access Door to Lanercost Priory Ruins, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Doorway to Dacre Hall, Lanercost Priory Ruins, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Tombs, Lanercost Priory Ruins, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Image 1 Image 2

Cemetery, Lanercost Priory Ruins, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Grave Stones, Lanercost Priory Cemetery, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

Image 1Image 2Image 3

Lanercost Priory Ruins, Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, England UK

KIRKBY STEPHEN to HAYDON BRIDGE – 2023

Lunch was at Kirkby Stepehen and then on to Haydon Bridge

“Mango Tree” Indian Restaurant, Market Square, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK

The Cloisters, Market Square, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK

This is the entrance to St Stephen’s Church

Churchyard Gate, St Stephen’s Church, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK

St Stephen’s Church, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK

Church of England (probably dedicated to more than one saint originally).
Rebuilt c1230 with later additions and alterations.

War Memorial, Market Square, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK

Kirkby Stephen War Memorial commemorates 48 local servicemen who fell in the First World War and 12 men who fell in the Second World War. Dedicated 8 July 1920 & again 11 March 1967 following damage caused by a severe storm in 1966.

Harthope Quarry, Harthope Road, Ireshopeburn, Bishop Auckland , County Durham, England UK

The Bar, Railway Hotel, Church Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

“Tyneview”, 2 Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Colour Image …………… Black & White Image

The General Havelock, Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Originally called The Three Tuns, an 18c building it was renamed the General Havelock Inn after the Indian Army Major General Sir Henry Havelock and is now a famous restaurant.

Alley, Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UKMr George’s Museum Of Time, Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland England UK

Residential Block, Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Read the Blue Plaque:
Old Bridge, River South Tyne, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

The first bridge at Haydon Bridge was built in around 1309, but following the flood of 1771, it had to be rebuilt in 1776. Following structural surveys it ceased to be used by cars and converted to footbridge use only in 1970. It is listed as a Grade II building by Historic England

This now a dedicated pedestrian bridge.

River South Tyne, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

North Bank, River South Tyne, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Archway, Shaftoe’s Guest House, Shaftoe Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

The Anchor Hotel, John Martin Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Rear Gate, “Labuan” Cottage, John Martin Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

The Railway Hotel, Church Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

This is where we spent a few nights whilst in Haydon Bridge

War Memorial, Church Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Dedicated 21 September 1921

St Cuthbert’s Church, Church Street, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, England UK

Grade II Listed Building. The church was erected by the Greenwich Hospital Commissioners in 1796. The north transept was added in 1869 to accommodate children from the Shaftoe Trust School.

HEBDEN BRIDGE to KIRKBY STEPHEN – 2023

We say good-bye to Hebden Bridge and make our way to another Bridge – Haydon Bridge via a couple of interesting Market Towns, Kettlewell, Hawes & Kirkby Stephen. A few interesting sights/sites along the way.

As always, click on an image to open it in a new tab/window.

Worth Valley, West Yorkshire, England UKKettlewell Village, Upper Wharfdale, North Yorkshire, England UK

River Wharfe, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire, England UK

Racehorse Hotel & Blue Bell Inn, Middle Lane, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire, England UK

Colour Image <<<<<>>>>>Black & White Image

Kettlewell Beck, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire, England UK

CoColour Image <<<<<>>>>>Black & White Image

River Wharfe, Deepdale, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire, England UK

Bridge over Gayle Beck, Hawes, North Yorkshire, England UK

The bridge is a Grade II Listed Building

Cascades, Gayle Beck, Hawes, North Yorkshire, England UK

Old Town Signs, Gayle Lane, Hawes, North Yorkshire, England UK

Waterfalls, Aisgill, Mallerstang, Cumbria, England UK

This creeper is growing all over the ruins.

A bit of maintenance to strengthen the foundation.

Pendragon Castle, Mallerstang Dale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UKBlack Hill from Pendragon Castle, Mallerstang Dale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, England UK