Skirmish Field

Section of water meadow which was scene of a battle in the 16th century.

This area of flat haugh land beside the River Tweed was the scene of a battle in 1526. Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch brought 600 riders in an unsuccessful bid to rescue the young King James V from the domination of the Earl of Angus and his allies, the Kers and Homes. In the ensuing combat the Scott faction lost more than eighty men and was routed, although one of Scott’s servants, named Elliot cut down Ker of Cessford in the pursuit. The Southern Upland Way footpath crosses the site.