A BEARS’ HOLIDAY IN
PEEBLES, SCOTLAND
15 - 20 JUNE 2008
We are Alasdair and Rory and as we come from Scotland we have been
chosen to tell this story. We had in fact been to Peebles for a
day trip last year and indeed when we went for a walk along the
river we found an orphan Highland cow that we adopted and named
Hamish. He and a few others of our friends came with us on this
holiday. We were all very excited as we were going to stay at the
Peebles Hotel Hydro, which is very posh.
Sunday
We set off early on Sunday morning
in sunny weather and as we travelled north on the M6 motorway we
had good views of the Howgill Fells and Lakeland Fells many of
which have been climbed by our intrepid walking group STAG. We
then crossed into Scotland passing more beautiful scenery and
eventually left the motorway and came to the very pretty town of
Moffat. It was lunchtime so while we snacked in the car Uncle
Brian and Dad went to a café called the Rumblin’ Tum.
We thought the name was quite
appropriate to Dad, as he seems to be always hungry! They had a
cheese savoury baguette that was delicious and tea. Uncle Brian
only has one cup as he is on water tablets so Dad disposes of the
rest – usually 4 or 5 cups! It is a wonder he does not
slosh.
We had noticed a large statue of a
sheep nearby so we asked Dad to take a photograph to include in
the story.
This is the Moffat Ram (Colvin
Fountain) and was designed to provide water for dogs,
horses and men. It was set up in 1875, a gift to the town by
William Colvin of Craigielands, Beattock. The architect was Mr.
Brodie, RSA of Edinburgh; and it is said that the poor man took
his own life after the Ram was cast with horns but without ears.
There is no actual proof of this.
It was time now to be on our way
and the road climbed up out of the town above the valley and then
continued at this high level beyond. Peebles stands on the River
Tweed, and this is probably Uncle Brian’s favourite river so
he was very pleased when we came to a sign saying this was its
source.
Down in the bottom, as this picture
shows, the first springs rise to form the infant river. By the
roadside is a carved monument and we all lined up by it for a
photo.
This shows various important places
the river passes on its course from here to Berwick on Tweed in
Northumberland, where it enters the North Sea. In fact for quite
a large part of its course it marks the boundary between England
and Scotland.
On the rest of our lovely journey
to Peebles we had many views of the river that soon became quite
wide as various streams off the hills fed into it. Finally we
came to Peebles and drove up the long drive to the hotel that is
set up on the hillside.
A long wide staircase leads up to
reception.
The room was not quite ready so we
sat patiently in the car while Uncle Brian and Dad sat in lounge
and enjoyed tea and delicious shortbread. We were rather tired
after the journey and so were glad to finally settle in the room
and rest.
Monday
While Uncle Brian and Dad went into
Peebles we stayed at the hotel and explored the extensive grounds.
A bridge that just went over a wide grassy track intrigued us.
Further exploration revealed
another bridge that carries the drive to the hotel.
It was then that we realised that
this was where a long gone railway line had run through the
grounds. We told Dad all about this when he got back as he is
interested in such things and he later went off to explore
himself.
We have many many friends who we
live with and Dad has really stopped adopting more but Uncle
Brian fell in love with a little hedgehog he saw in a shop so we
were pleased to make him welcome when they returned. Because his
hair sticks up he has been named Spikey!
Tuesday
Today Uncle Brian and Dad went to
Rosslyn Chapel, and they took us with our friends Elmer, Elmo,
Islay, Stuart & Spikey. They had been here before in 2000 and
2004, when they had been among the few visitors and indeed it was
quite hard to find.
Today as we drove into the village
of Roslin we were met by a large sign pointing the way and then
directed into a large and full car park. No doubt you will all
have heard of the book and film called The Da Vinci Code, at the
end of which the characters come to Rosslyn Chapel. It is quite
small and was absolutely full of people as a result of the book.
Dad said it was not such an enjoyable visit, as they had to
shuffle round. Another disadvantage was that photography had now
been banned but Dad had taken photos before so we are able to
illustrate the interior that has incredible intricate carving.
This is the Apprentice Pillar that
stands to one side of the altar area, on the other side being the
Mason’s Pillar. The story goes that the mason on completion
of his pillar went away for a time. During this the apprentice
had a dream of the design for the other pillar and proceeded to
carve it. He expected the mason to be pleased when he returned,
but instead he flew into a jealous rage and killed the apprentice.
The mason was put to death for his crime. At the rear, high in
the corner of the walls there is a carved face that looks down on
this pillar. It is said this is of the mason, condemned forever
to look on it!
This is the Star of Bethlehem boss
that depicts events associated with the nativity of Christ.
In the arch of this window are
carved representations of maize. Maize was first known in Europe
following Columbus "discovering" America in 1492.
However the chapel was built in 1440. It just proves that the
Americas had been visited much earlier.
Currently the roof has a
scaffolding roof over it to allow the building to dry out. This
is a consequence of previous renovation work that actually did
more damage than good. It was not possible to take a good
exterior photo, but Dad did take us sitting in a doorway.
back row
– Alasdair, Elmo, Stuart, Elmer, Rory front row
– Islay & Spikey
Wednesday
Today Uncle Brian and Dad went to
visit Traquair House at Innerleithen just a few miles from
Peebles. They took our other friends today who had not been out,
namely Angus, Dougal, Fred, Gladly, Hamish, Jasper, Stuart, &
Tennyson. Stuart was particularly excited as he was adopted by
Dad for Uncle Brian some years ago at this house and indeed we
often call him the Laird. He is relating the events today.
The house is in fact
the oldest occupied house in Scotland. The original part is on
the left side of the house built in 1109. The current family the
Maxwell Stuart’s have themselves owned it for some 500 years.
This original part was used as a
hunting lodge by the Scottish Kings, then later is was granted to
a family and succeeding Lairds have extended it to what it is
today. You can just see the start of what are called the modern
wings on either side, but even they were built in 1794. It was
interesting to tour round seeing the many old artefacts in the
different rooms. Mary Queen of Scots once slept in one of the
bedrooms. The family has always been devout Catholic a religion
that in the 17th and 18th centuries was
suppressed and the family were forced to worship in secret.
Despite these turbulent times the house was never plundered hence
why so many old artefacts survive.
From the house you look along to a
pair of imposing gates adjacent to the current entrance.
We were intrigued by this as it
looked like a grassed over drive, so we asked and were told that
it was. The guide then went on to explain why. In 1745 Bonnie
Prince Charlie called here on his way to try to wrest the throne
from King George. As he left the Laird closed the gates and
stated that they would not be opened again until there was a
Stuart king. Well we all know what happened. He got as far as
Derby, but then retreated and many were slaughtered at the battle
of Culloden and Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to France. No Stuart
has ever come to the throne so the gates have never been opened
to this day. Soon after 1745 the new entrance was created and the
original drive grassed over. The symbol of the family is a bear
– quite appropriate we thought – and the gates are
called the Bear Gates.
Lunchtime arrived and not
surprisingly Uncle Brian and Dad disappeared into the restaurant.
We had a quick snack then went to explore more of the grounds
finding in the walled garden this sculpture of a horse made from
old ironwork and agricultural machinery parts.
Finally before we left Dad
photographed us all with the house behind -
During the week we were in Peebles
this festival was taking place and the town was bedecked with
bunting etc in red and white the colours of the festival. Many of
the shops too had displays about people taking part in this and
past festivals. It is based on legend, history and tradition
being a festival to mark the return of summer. In ancient times
fires were lit where people could burn their winter bedding and
floor coverings, ready to be replaced afresh. Here is the Burgh
Hall where you can see some of the bunting and the arch
advertising the festival.
In all it lasts for a week and
there are many events culminating in the crowning of the Beltane
Queen.
One other main event is the
installation of the Cornet. He with his attendants is an
important part of the festival as he then leads the Riding of the
Bounds. Some 200 riders follow him round the paths, roads and
tracks of the boundary of the Burgh of Peebles in all taking
about 4 to 5 hours. We were all very excited about this as part
of the route is up the drive past the Hydro. Having a ground
floor room and two windows too meant we could sit and watch the
procession. Here are a couple of the many photos Dad took.
Thursday
A lazy morning, then Uncle Brian
and Dad went into town for lunch and to do some shopping. It is
worth mentioning that Peebles has more individual privately owned
shops than any other place in the country, so they had a good
time wandering round them. Not our scene so we all decided to go
exploring again. Opposite the drive to the hotel we had seen the
White Stone and so we went to find out about it.
It is so called because it is a
quartz rock that is believed to have been brought to this
location in the ice age. It is frequently mentioned in the
records of the Burgh of Peebles and became the spot where
visitors were welcomed by the Magistrates on entry to the town
and where parting guests drank the stirrup cup.
Carefully crossing the road again
it was back into the grounds and we explored all the paths and
tracks in the extensive area. It is well wooded and some of the
trees are truly magnificent.
We had a thoroughly good time and
played hide and seek too! Suddenly we saw Dad returning with
Uncle Brian and he came down to take our end of holiday group
photograph once we had settled ourselves on the steps.
back row -
Dougal, Fred, Stuart, Gladly, Jasper & Tennyson front row -
Rory, Elmer, Alasdair (with Elmo, Spikey & Islay sitting in
front of them), Angus & Hamish
We were tired now
after all the exploring so went and rested in the room. Uncle
Brian and Dad went down for the last of their lovely dinners in
the impressive dining room.
Friday
This was going home day. Dad, Uncle
Brian and all of us had had a wonderful time staying here and we
were doubly pleased when they said that a return visit before
Christmas was a possibility. The easiest way home was just a
reverse of outward route and again we stopped in Moffat for a
break. Yes you have guessed it lunch at the Rumblin’ Tum for
Dad and Uncle Brian. It was market day, and one of the stalls was
from a local falconry centre. They had brought along their
European Eagle Owl called Louis, who sat patiently eyeing the
passers by.
If you look carefully you might
spot some little birds on the stall. One was an eagle that Dad
was unable to resist, so he came home to join the Hug. He has
been named Sam. He settled with us for the journey home and we
told him all about the many friends he would meet when he arrived.
Once home we told our other friends all about our adventures.
