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Link
to Internet Archives
All of the references below can be reached from this
link. However, a few longer papers are linked directly.
Some of the items below are just short notices of a
topic.
Volume 4 (1857-62)
Page 378 In a discussion of the battle of Flodden
mention is made of a very old bridge called the Branx
bridge. It crossed the Pallinsburn near Branxton, opposite
the road to Mardon and was said to have been where the
English crossed to battle. Most of the bridge had disappeared
at the time of writing.
Page 454 Notices of the Remains of Ancient Camps
on Both Banks of the River Tweed, near Milne-Graden,
David Milne Home.
Discussions of fortifications near Twizel Ford, about
3 miles NE of Coldstream, and the practice in the 16th
century of keeping a watch on the fords on the border.
Volume 5, (1863-68)
page 90 Ancient bridge in Coldstream, Revd. Peter Mearns
Details of the remains of a bridge that was probably connected
with Coldstream Abbey, founded c.1150.
Volume 7, (1873-75)
page 57-58 Notices of Chatton
Includes list dating from the 1550's of fords to be guarded
against Scots incursions
page 167-168 Anniversary Address
Mention of old bridge at Etal. Etal is in Northumberland,
5 miles east of Coldstream. The bridge dated from the
middle ages and was in a ruinous state.
pps 223-225 Extracts from the Session-Book of Hutton
Parish, A.D. 1649-1677, James Hardy
Many details of assistance given to the needy. Collections
for Leet, Ednam & Linton bridges.
page 491 Maxwellheugh and Springwood Park, James Tait
Note of bridge over Teviot and some local roads built
in 1794.
Volume 8, (1876-78)
page 422, 423 Mentions of Ashiesteel Bridge (4
miles W. of Galashiels) and Shirra's Road. The bridge
broke when first being built; the Shirra's road was a
track used by Sir Walter Scott, who was the Sherrif of
Selkirkshire, to reach the Shirra's Knowe on Peel Farm
(Note: Scott lived at Ashiesteel 1804-1812).
Page 426 Former ford near Ashiesteel Bridge (800m
upriver) where there had been a riding stone to show the
depth of water. There was still a boat there.
Page 439 Ashiesteel ford disused for several years.
Mention of King's Ford where the Caddon joined the Tweed
at Caddonfoot.
Volume 9, (1879-81)
page 105 The
Catrail, or Picts-Work-Ditch, James Smail - reference
to the Galloway Road p.115; Wheel Causeway, p.116
In this discussion of the Catrail, a linear earthwork
said to have ran from Galashiels to Wheel, the author
says that at Cliffhope and Dawstone Edge (NY5699) near
Peel. it may have been used as the "Galloway Road".
It got this name from the Galloway ponies that carried
coal from collieries in Northumberland up to Hawick -
he mentions another "coal road" running to Jedburgh
by Kale Water Head and Riccalton (about 5 miles SE of
Jedburgh). In a reference to the Wheel Causeway he sees
it as a Roman road going down by Deadwater, and notes
how similar it is to the Catrail in places. However, see
Harry Inglis ( Ancient
Border Highways etc PSAS, Vol.58, pps.203-223) for
some interesting observations on the Wheel Causeway and
the Catrail in this area.
page 446 Mention of a "curious old bridle
bridge" near Cockburnspath Tower (Canmore
record).
Volume 10, (1882-84)
page 17-18 Mention of Kemylpeth (note: this is
what Dere Street is called for the first few miles over
the English Border, now Gamelspath).
page 307 Black Dyke and British Camps, James Tait
This was said to have ran for about 10 miles from Legerwood
parish on the north, down to Mertoun parish in the south,
although when Tait was writing most traces had disappeared.
There was a tradition that it had been used as a road,
and even that it was a Roman road. See also Vol.26 (page
359) The Black Dykes of Berwickshire, J H Craw which has
a map showing the course of the dyke.
page 14 Kelso Steps (Calsy or Causeway steps?)
In an account of a field visit to Hounam, mention is made
of two localities near Hindhope called Kelso Steps. The
writer says that the name could indicate they were built
and used by monks from Kelso when journeying to Redesdale
to collect tithes of horses due to them. However, the
entry in the index appears as: "Kelso Steps (Calsy
or Causeway Steps?)" suggesting they were called
after Kelso because of the similarity in pronunciation..
page 401 Notes on Yarrow, James Hardy
Deuchar Bridge (Canmore
record) - Details of this very early bridge over the
Yarrow. It gave access from Ettrick and the south of Yarrow
parish by a road over Kershope-swire. There was said to
have been a road up by the Deuchar Burn to Minchmoor and
Traquair and then Edinburgh. There is another reference
to the building of a bridge over the Yarrow in 1653, possibly
that at Mountbenger and Eldinhope.
Volume 12-13, (1887-89)
Part 1, (1887), page 130 Old Roads on Gala Water and
Vicinity, Miss Russell of Ashiesteel
The writer describes how people used to travel up by the
Gala Water, crossing and recrossing many times on their
way to Edinburgh. She also says that there was an old
road from Berwickshire to Glasgow that came by Langshaw
(about 4 miles north of Galashiels) over to Clovenfords,
then past Laidlawstiel to the Tweed. There had been a
smithy at Laidlawstiel on this old route. (Note: The road
is shown on the Military Survey map c.1750 although at
Langshaw it runs up to Lauder rather than Earlston).
Volume 14, (1890-93)
Part 1, (1892), page 138 Rule Water Ca'Trail, W Deans
This traces an earthwork in the area about 10 miles south-west
of Jedburgh, which was thought by the author to have been
a road. It is quite hard to follow its course from the
text and it does not appear on OS maps except possibly
an entrenchment near Hazelly Cleugh (NT5308) although
this is noted by the RCAHMS (NT50NW
9) as an agricultural boundary. The author mentions
a couple of old tracks including an old disused road that
went from Jedburgh to Liddlesdale and passed near Earlside
(NT5309). Much of the area is now heavily forested.
Part 2, (1893), p 328 Former lines of road about Ashiesteel,
Miss Russell of Ashiesteel
The author discusses various routes between Selkirk and
Ashiesteel and the route Mary Queen of Scots might have
taken between Edinburgh and Jedburgh. Before the Yair
Bridge was built, the Tweed was crossed at the King's
ford (Blakehope ford) opposite the mouth of the Caddon.
She mentions the fact that Ashiesteel ford had changed
its position over time.
Volume 15, (1894-95)
Part 1, (1894) pps 47-50 Edincains
Bridge and Other Ancient means of Communication, with
their antiquities
The origin of the name is discussed - theories revolve
round a King Edward or Edwin though nothing definite has
ever been ascertained. The writer refers to the many bridges
over the streams in this whole area. He notes that Edincains
bridge had been destroyed by a farmer to prevent people
using a public footpath on his farm.
page 180 Innerwick Castle, Edinkins Brig and Thornton,
Dr Hardy
Traditions about the name of the bridge. Blown up by gunpowder.
Volume 19, (1903-05)
Part 2, (1904) page 169 The Liberalis Stone, Rev. Robert
Borland
Sir Walter Scott was very interested in this (also known
as the Yarrow Stone) and had a note to his "Dowie
Dens of Yarrow" saying that it was uncovered when
ploughing Annan's Treat. The writer says it was actually
Annan Street, the old Roman road to Annan. (Note: It is
not clear what evidence he has for this - it is probably
a conjecture).
page 206-7
Mention of bridge over Etterick at Selkirk replacing one
half a mile away, that was swept away in 1777. The first
bridge was built by Alexander II in 1234 and was two miles
downstream. Old bridge at Deuchar damaged in flood of
1734.
Part 3, (1905) page 296 Note that Dunglass New
Bridge is 90 feet high and on the county boundary; Dunglass
Old Bridge is very ancient and picturesque.
page 333-339 Cuthbert's
Hope, Roxburghshire; with an appended note on Dere Sreet,
George Watson
Mention of Dere Street in charters. Discusses the derivation
of the name and argues that it has mistakenly been called
Watling Street. In a charter for the parish of Maxton,
a king's highway from Roxburgh to Annan is mentioned.
He says this came by the Liddel to the Wheel Causeway
which it followed to the Rule Water, then by Swinnie Moor
to Jedburgh. It then went to Roxburgh from where it went
by the Tweed then up Lauderdale to Newbattle and beyond.
Around St Boswells it was probably the same as Dere Street.
(Note: The Annan road is thought to have ran over Craik
Cross Moor following the course of a Roman road. The road
he is talking about is probably the mediaeval route between
Carlisle and Berwick.) He continues discussing Dere Street
with charter references for it being in the vicinity of
Thirlstane, Channelkirk, Cranston and between Newbattle
and Cowden.
Volume 20, (1906-08)
Part 1, (1906) page 111 Berwick Bridge - reference
to Berwick Bridge being destroyed by floods c.1295 as
the arches were too low.
Part 2(1907) page 173 Leaderfoot Bridge erected
1780
page 174 mention in passing of Monk's Ford near
Old Melrose
Volume 21, (1909-11)
Part 2, (1910) pages 169 - 205 Notes
on Pawston, Mindrum, Shotton etc, by the late James Hardy
Contains interesting references to fords and paths from
charters and other sources
Volume 22, (1912-15)
Part 2, (1913)
page 50-52 Anniversary
Address, James Curle
Description of Dere Street
page 122-123 In 1294 there was a major flood on
the Teviot that damaged bridges including that of Berwick.
page 133 Repairs to Berwick Bridge
page 153 The monks of Kelso had a road for waggons
to Berwick and a resting place at Simprin.
Part 4, (1915)
page 398, 399 Jedburgh Typography (1817-1845), J Linsay
Hilson
1829, 1830, 1831 Three items printed in Jedburgh, viz.
a) line of road to be taken from Caitha in Roxburghshire
by Jedburgh and the Carter Fell to Newcastle; b) Report
of the Roxburghshire Committee on the road between Edinburgh
and London by Jedburgh; c) report on a proposed alteration
of the line of road from Hundalee Smithy to near Jedburgh
by Ferniehirst and Edgerston Rig, to Whitelee Toll Bar.
This last item mentions a proposed tunnel.
Volume 23, (1916-18)
Part 1 (1916)
page 116 Maxton: Bow-Brig-Syke apparition
This is a tale of two sisters who used to appear near
a small bridge. They had been murdered and placed under
the flat stones that had formed the bridge. Once they
were found the apparitions ceased.
Page 127-130 Fa'un Brigs Game
Description of an old game where a couple of players form
a bridge under which the others run. The bridge collapses
on the last player who is detained until a ransom is paid.
The game continues until all have been caught and ransomed.
Volume 24, (1919-22)
Part 4 (1922)
page 493 Note on Hexpethgatehead which was a pass
where the Wardens of the Middle Marches would meet.
page 423-450 Chirnside
Common, J H Craw
There are a number of references to roads and fords in
this account of the Common, along with a map.
Volume 25, (1923-25)
Part 1 (1923) pages 4-7 Anniversary
Address: Notes on early cycling and motoring, James
M'Whir
Part 3 (1925) page 455/456 In 1725 a post boy was
lost on his journey between Edinburgh and London, possibly
near Holy Island.
page 456 First Hegira of Lindisfarne Monks with the
Body of St Cuthbert, AD 875-883, Howard Pease
In response to Danish raids the community of Lindisfarne
left with the body of their saint and other relics. The
route they took on their exile is not known for definite
but may be shown by the dedications of churches to Cuthbert.
At one point they may have crossed over the Solway to
Whithorn from where they would go by Kirkcudbright, Ballantrae,
Girvan, Straiton, Maybole, Prestwick, Monkton, Mauchline,
Sorn, Glencairn, Moffat, Ewesdale (all with churches dedicated
to Cuthbert) and then down to Bewcastle.
page 372 Details of the new bridge being built
at Berwick - see also immediately below.
Volume 26, (1926-28)
Part 1 (1926) page 41 Note on the Roman Road in
Oxnam area
Part 3 (1928) page 318 The Story of the Foul Ford:
A Lammermuir Tragedy, Thomas Gibson
This is a story of an apparation seen at the Foul Ford
which is half-way between Greenlaw and Longformacus on
the road through the north muir (now a track running about
half a mile east of Kettleshiel). See also pages
301-303
page 44, 45 Berwick new bridge (Royal
Tweed Bridge - Canmore record)
Visit to bridge with some details
Part 2, page 129 Note on progress in building of
the new bridge.
page 134 Plate X Photos of timbers of old wooden
bridge at Berwick exposed during work on new bridge.
Volume 27, (1929-1931)
Part 1 (1929) page 45 Herring Road
In this account of an excursion to the Mutiny Stones (just
north of Byrecleugh and 4 miles west of Longformacus)
there is mention of a nearby Herring Road and an old inn
where the Lammermuir shepherds would gather annually to
reclaim lost sheep. The Herring Road can be seen on the
1:25000 map crossing the Dye about 3 miles upstream from
Byrecleugh.
page 93 Crachoctrestrete:
A Forgotten Berwickshire Road, J Hewat Craw
The author discusses the route of this old road based
on the evidence of various charters. It ran from at least
near Warlawbank up to Eyeford near Butterdean. Its name,
its mention in mediaeval charters and its following a
parish boundary show its antiquity.
Part 2, (1930)
page 165 Travelling 200 Years Ago
In 1722 it took 7 days to travel from Edinburgh to London.
Page 176 Soutra Aisle, The Roman Road and Channelkirk
Pages 179, 180 Details of the course of Dere Street
page 268 Ancrum Bridge
Collections in all churches in Scotland for the repair
of Ancrum Bridge almost destroyed by flooding in 1698
Part 3 (1931)
page 330 Deep Trackways on Simonside Hills, E R Newbigin
(in England but of some relevance)
Although dealing with tracks on hills in Northumberland
it may have relevance for similar trackways in Scotland.
One possibility the writer looks at is that these are
prehistoric.
page 53 Starchhouse Toll, Mordington
Note on border marriages carried out here.
Volume 28, (1932-34)
Part 1 (1932) page 83 Ancrum Bridge
Collection in 1666 at Ayr Kirk for repair of Ancrum Bridge
Part 2 (1933), page 167 Crossings of the Tweed
In discussing the battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 it
was noted that Berwick Bridge had been swept away in 1294
and was not rebuilt until 1492. The only way of crossing
the Tweed was a ferry and a ford at Yarrow, one mile upstream
from Berwick.
Part 3 (1934) page 208 Coldstream Bridge
Before the bridge was built in 1766, the road into England
crossed at a ford. The town was lit by gas in 1834, the
first in Scotland to do so.
Volume 29, (1935-37)
Part 2 (1936) page 195
Note of a drove road that crossed Borthwick Water 6 miles
west of Hawick and ran over Commonside Moor towards Hermitage
and Gilsland.
Volume 30, (1938, 1939, 1940-46)
Part 2 (1939) page 181
Note on the Bourjo, a quarry where some of the stone used
in Melrose abbey was obtained.
Volume 31-32, (1947-52)
Volume 31, part 1, (1947) page 22-34 Pennymuir,
Woden Law and Dere Street, Sir W Aitchison
Detailed analysis of the course taken by Dere Street over
the Cheviots (see also page 11).
Volume 33-34, (1953-58)
Vol. 33 pt.1, Extracts
from the Records of the Corporation of the Skinners and
Glovers, Duns
page 11 payments to those poor who had passes to
move around the country.
page 12 payment from 1754 onwards for the upkeep
of the highways - this was probably to ensure members
did not have to do statute labour work on the roads themselves.
Vol.34 pt 2 page 84-86
Note on Kelso Bridges, G W Bennett
There had been a stone bridge between Roxburgh and Kelso
in the middle ages but it had been destroyed by 1410 or
1411. Ferries were then operated until a new bridge was
started in 1754 although it was destroyed in a flood in
1797. The present bridge dates from 1803 and was designed
by John Rennie. It was a toll bridge and the tenant built
a house with the profits which was called "Plunder
Hall". The tolls led to a riot in 1854.
Volume 35-36
Volume 35
Part 3, (1961) page 276-277 Hermitage Castle and Upper
Liddesdale, Miss Donaldson-Hudson
Details of a road used to bring coal from the North
Tyne collieries to places like Hawick and Jedburgh. It
passed through a toll-point called Bloody Bush - she lists
the toll-rates and the distances from Bloody Bush (note:
the Bloody Bush is on the border 6 miles ENE from Castleton
NY5791)
p.288 Notes
on Seven Lammermuir Roads, Angus Graham
The roads covered are Dere Street north of Channelkirk;
Haddington to Lauderdale; Haddington to Duns, by Longformacus;
Haddington to the Whiteadder Water, by Johnscleugh; Dunbar
to the Dye Water and beyond, by Johnscleugh; the Herring
Road; "Muir Road from Lawder to Dunbar". In
addition to describing each road he details its historical
associations. The author had already written two papers
about these roads (except for Dere Street) in the Proceedings
of the Society of Antiquaries in Scotland (see
here - vols. 83 & 93) but all the papers are well
worth reading.
Volume 36
Part 2, page 143 Toll
Bar Monument at Bloody Bush, Ruth Donaldson-Hudson
More details of the coal road passing through the Bloody
Bush toll-point - see Vol.35 immediately above.
page 146 An Adventurous Ride - Battle of Sclaterford
- Illicit Whisky Trade, Ruth Donaldson-Hudson
These are notes on two bridges about two and a half miles
north of Bonchester Bridge, 1) a rider approaching a bend
on the bridge over the Rule Water too fast and the horse
leaping the parapet into the river; 2) a skirmish at the
Sclaterford; and 3) an inn at the other bridge involved
in the illicit whisky trade.
Volume 37, (1965-67)
Part 3, (1967) page 189 ff A
Short History of Transport and Agriculture in Berwickshire,
James Hood
Details of roads, the turnpike and statute labour system,
and transport.
page 222 Note that Fogo Bridge over Whiteadder
was built by Sir James Cockburn and has an inscription
and date of 1647.
Volume 38, (1968-70)
Part 3 (1970), page 175 ff The
Postal History of Berwickshire, T D Thomson
Many details of the postal history are given.
page 218 The "Historical Diary" of Mr James
Watson of Duns, Grace A Elliot
Note that "on the north side of Coldingham Manse
there is a road called the "chirett" from the
French "Charette" a "road for wains".
This we know today as the "chariot way""
Volume 39
Part 1, (1971) page 29 The Straight Furrow, K M Lishman
Excerpt from farm account book noting increase in rates
on Coldstream and Eccles roads between 1892 and 1896
Volume 40-41, (1974-80)
Volume 40
Part 2, (1975) page 90 Marriages at Lamberton Toll
1753 - 1940, Revd. J C Lusk
Details of marriages carried out at Lamberton Toll which
was on the Border, and of the early route of the Great
North Road.
Part 3, (1976) page 176 Union Bridge, Revd. J C Lusk
Details of this suspension bridge which is 6 miles upriver
from Berwick.
Volume 41, (1977-1980)
part 1, (1977) , Forgotten Industries of Berwickshire,
Grace A Elliot
page 2 mention of salt roads
Part 4 (1980) page 257 mention of fines on carters
1815
page 264 Great
North Road, T D Thomson
This looks in detail as to when the new road by Grantshouse
replaced the Old Post Road over Coldingham Moor.
From British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB).
(Abstracts only)
Vol.48 (2), 2000 page 179-181 Fogo
Bridge, L H Cleat
Vol.49 (3), 2004 page 193-207 Discarded
Artefacts...from a mediaeval road? Excavations at Houndwood,
Berwickshire, Ronan Toolis.
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