Stage Three - Harestanes to Morebattle
(10 miles / 16 kms, Max Ascent 660 ft / 200 metres)
 Picnic & Play Area at Harestanes |
Leaving Harestanes, you cross the driveway of Monteviot House. The house itself is rarely open to the public, but the gardens are regularly open during the summer months and well worth a visit if you have time. You will cross the River Teviot by the new bridge, which replaces the one swept away in 1997, thus saving you the detour downriver to Nisbet, across the iron bridge, and back up to the other side of the fallen bridge, which was in operation for about three years and which added 2 miles to the journey.
Passing the junction of the Teviot and the Jed Water, you once again join Dere Street. It is wise to remember that from this point to the English border, beyond Towford in the Kale Valley, the roman road is still technically open to vehicular traffic in addition to walkers, riders and cyclists. Cross-country motor bikes and quad bikes, travelling at speed, can usually be heard before they are seen, so keep your ears open.
As the road rises and falls in its determination to keep in a straight line, pleasant vistas open up before your eyes, with views, on a fine day, forward, of the Cheviots and, backwards, of Penielheugh and the Eildons. Your path now leads you past Cessford Castle, the imposing remains of what was once a formidable home of the Kers of Cessford, Wardens of the Middle March. Although money has been made available to stabilise the ruins, at the present time, they are very unsafe and must not be approached.
 Meadow Crane's Bill |
From here to Morebattle the route is along the road, which, depending on the time of year, and the whims of the verge cutters, should allow the opportunity to study the flora and fauna of the area. In early July, The Kelso Laddie rides out with his supporters to meet the Jethart Callant and his supporters at Morebattle, where they lay a wreath at the War Memorial in the main street.
See also: Morebattle Village Site
Stage Six - Wooler to Fenwick | Stage Seven - Fenwick to Lindisfarne
