Scottish Borders
Unitary authority in southeast Scotland, created in 1996 to replace
the former Borders region
Area:
4,733 sq km/1,827 sq mi Towns: Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh,
Kelso, Newtown St Boswells (administrative headquarters), Peebles,
Selkirk Physical: much of the west part of the area is upland
(Lammermuir, Moorfoot and Pentland Hills); Broad Law (840 m/2,756
ft), near Tweedsmuir, is the highest point. The principal river,
the Tweed, traverses the region from west to east; its tributaries
include the River Teviot. The largest loch is St Mary's, and the
only substantial area of low-lying agricultural land is the Merse
in the southeast, near the English border. The coastline is generally
precipitous Features: Walter Scott's home at Abbotsford; Field
Marshal Haig and Walter Scott buried at Dryburgh Abbey; Melrose
Abbey (12th century) Famous people: Mungo Park, James Hogg (Scottish
poet `the Ettrick ShepherdŽ), Walter Scott Industries: electronics,
timber, knitwear, tweed Agriculture: sheep and cattle; cereals
and root crops; fishing Population: (1995) 106,200
Archaeology The area has been occupied since early hunter-gatherers
moved into Scotland; early monuments include many hill-forts,
of which Eildon Hill North, near Melrose, is the most impressive.
Architecture There are medieval abbeys at Melrose, Jedburgh,
Dryburgh, and Kelso. A series of stone-built castles, including
Hermitage in Liddesdale (c. 13th century), testify to the insecurity
of the border area well into the 16th century. Later buildings
include Abbotsford, created by Walter Scott (1822), and Floors
Castle, built by William Adam (1721-25) and altered by Playfair
in the 1840s.
Border unrest The Raid of the Redeswire (1575), an English defeat
at the hands of Jedburgh's provost and townspeople, was the last
major engagement of this kind. At Philiphaugh on Yarrow Water,
the Covenanter General Leslie defeated the Marquis of Montrose
in 1645.
Economy Lacking coal, the border area was largely bypassed in
the industrialization which took place during the 19th century.
The tweed industry, however, contributed to the expansion of the
mill towns. The area is essentially rural; limited afforestation
is now taking place.
Environment There are 88 Sites of Special Scientific Interest,
three National Nature Reserves, three Ramsars (wetland sites),
three Special Protection Areas, and two National Scenic Areas.
|
Top
