The 9 Nicks of Thirlwall

Here at Birdoswald the Roman Wall runs to Willowford Bridge and on to Poltcross Burn then over those hilly ridges towards Great Chesters Fort (Aesica).

The ridges on the skyline are known as 'The Nicks' and have been quarried for their hardwearing Whinstone, outcrops which were plundered for road chippings and a section of Hadrian's Wall went too! The wall you see in the foreground is walkable all the way to and across the 'Nicks'.

The Romans generally used limestone and at a place called Limestone Corner there are piles of abandoned Whinstone blocks where the limestone seam ran out. It's tough stuff.


WOW!!!Look at all those kind comments. I forgot all about an anniversary coming up. Thank you to everyone for looking in. I'll try and catch up with everyone who's posted, if I can. Busy times ahead so it may take time. Thanks again to all.