The Eildon Hills

This is looking east from Eildon Mid Hill towards Eildon Hill North, with Bemersyde Hill in the distance on the left.

K dropped me off near Eildontree Stone and I walked up the first hill then on to the second and highest. I know this is a popular walk, but rarely have I seen such a mangled muddy path as on these lower slopes. Not until I made my way back down from the ridge towards Melrose via St Cuthbert's Way, which was worse. The views from the top were great, ranging over the Borders in every direction, though the stiff wind made photography interesting. I doubt the tripod would have made any difference so I was glad I hadn't bothered to carry it. The new monopod was better than nothing, but not as good as a walking pole for walking, as the fixings tended to slip under my weight.

This is the heart of Scott Country, and a stone on top of the Mid Hill marks that spot as one where he often enjoyed the view over his beloved Borderlands. Bemerside Hill, in the photograph, is the location of the famous Scott's View, looking across the curve of the Tweed at Dryburgh to the Eildons where I'm standing.

The large Roman fort of Trimontium, by Newstead east of Melrose, takes its name from the three peaks of the Eildons. I only had time to do two day; the third must wait.