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Out and About

Stobs POW Camp

March 5, 2022 by dpike Leave a Comment

Due to its extraordinary level of preservation Stobs Camp, approximately four miles south of Hawick in the Scottish Borders, is an internationally important First World War site.

It was an arena for Scotland’s preparation for war and the subsequent handling of First World War prisoners, both civilian and military.

Although Stobs’ military connections continued up until the early 1960s the focus of the Stobs Camp Project is the period prior to, and during, the First World War.

The ongoing community-focused project aims to better understand Stobs Camp and the role it played and to protect the camp for future generations.

Led by Archaeology Scotland the team works with many organisations, groups and individuals including Historic Environment Scotland, Hawick Archaeological Society, Hawick Callants Club, Borders Family History Society, and Scottish Borders Council Archaeological Services.

The project has surveyed the physical remains at Stobs and exploring the human stories of the soldiers who trained at the camp and the civilian and German prisoners who were interned there.

Volunteers from across the Scottish Borders, the UK, and Europe are helping to build a picture of what life was like at the camp by researching the archives, newspapers, regimental records and family histories.

Filed Under: Border Towns, Hawick, Out and About Tagged With: Hawick, Scottish Borders, Stobs POW camp

Hermitage Castle – a study in belligerence

March 1, 2022 by dpike Leave a Comment

Hermitage Castle in the Liddlesdale Valley was once described as the embodiment of ‘sod off’ in stone.

It’s a wonderful description. Take a walk around its walls, still standing four-square against all-comers amid wild and remote countryside, and it’s obvious this structure was built to defy.

What’s more it has a history to match.

Originally a wooden defence, first mentioned in 1242, it was replaced in the late 1300’s by the imposing stone fortification now standing; a response to ever more hostile exchanges along the English-Scottish border.

The unusual architecture, designed to allow wood fighting platforms to run the length of the tops of the wall added to its all round aggressive appearance.

Over the years its been a home for William de Soulis, so hated by the locals he was boiled alive, and a tomb for Alexander Ramsay who was starved to death by Sir William Douglas in protest to his royal appointment as Sheriff of Teviotdale.

King David ll, it seems, took the hint and awarded Sir William the post!

In 1566, Hermitage, then the seat of the fourth Earl of Bothwell became entangled in in the muddled love life of Mary Queen of Scots.

On hearing the earl had been injured in a clash with border reivers, she rode 25 miles from her residence in Jedburgh, to be at his side. If walls could whisper what secrets Hermitage could tell.

Hermitage Castle is now a Historic Scotland property and well worth a visit. But, it’s a castle with many steps and is not easily accessible to visitors using wheelchairs.

Please check Historic Scotland website for opening times.

Filed Under: Border Towns, Castles, Hawick, Historic Borders, Out and About Tagged With: Hawick, Hermitage Castle, Mary Queeen of Scots, Scottish Borders

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