Heritage Sites in the Borders

by John Dent and Rory McDonald

The hills of the Scottish Borders were built over hundreds of millions of years from ocean sediments, desert sands and volcanic lavas. They were shaped by colossal earth movements and smoothed by vast glaciers, the last of which melted less than 15,000 years ago.

After the Ice Age, woodland covered the region and this became home to early hunting peoples, whose descendants gradually removed the trees to build their homes and clear ground for cultivation.

The population grew and two nations developed, which defined the historic role of the region. Castles and towers outnumber medieval abbeys and churches as a reflection of the violence that consumed the Borders between 1300 and 1600.

After 1700 many trees were put back into the landscape, arable land was reorganised, rural cottages were rebuilt and towns expanded, linked by new turnpike roads and railways. In both the towns and countryside the need for building has left a magnificent architectural heritage.

This book is intended to help people enjoy places with historic associations as part of a wider heritage that includes other cultural and natural aspects of the Scottish Borders.

Published 2001; 96pp; 248mm x 186mm; 16 colour and 32 half tone illustrations; ISBN 0 9530438 2 7 (pb) £5.00