Waterloo Tower

Whenever we travel south on the A68 we notice a tall monument on a nearby hill so decided today to visit it.  The 48metre (150 feet) tall tower stands on the summit of Peniel Heugh  and was built between 1817 and 1824 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, replacing a previous monument that collapsed in 1816 a year after it was built.   Unfortunately we were unable to climb to the viewing platform which was added in 1867 as maintainance work was being carried out.  There is no road up to the tower but the workers had come up a rough track whereas we had a very pleasant 2 mile walk from the Harestanes Centre beside fields and through woods.  In spite of the slightly hazy views the views over the rolling Borders countryside meant we were still able to make out the Eildon Hills to the north and the English border hills at Carter Bar about 20 miles to the south. (extras)
Then we explored the gardens at Monteviot House on the banks of the Teviot which looked splendid with so many flowers still looking very colourful and the garden is well worth visiting. (extra)