The debris on the sides of the Tweed indicated that the river level had been about three metres higher earlier in the winter but today it was shallow with ducks sitting on the banks. Several landslides into the river had closed large sections of the St Cuthbert's Way thwarting our plans but we managed to divert off the revised route to picnic by the river beside the Crystal Well with clear water pouring out. Just above is a former pumping house with a plaque saying
Every Modern Convenience
“Crystal Well” is the romantic name for the spring below you.  It was a good source of good clean water for Benrig House at the top of the hill. In the mid 1800s the Elliot family built a pump to bring water to the house: it must have been more convenient than sending a maid down with a bucket!  Mules or donkeys powered the pump, trudging round the room to your left.  The pump or ram itself was in the smaller room next door………
The donkey would be attached to the beam, walking round and round providing the power to pump up water to the house 100m higher. (Extras) The inhabitants must be pleased now to have mains water supply and while the spring water looked crystal clear we were glad to have bottled water to drink.