Hermiston, Midlothian

Happy holidays

Spent many, many years visiting grandparents in Caste Craig then in West Mains with my parents John and Pam Watson.   My father John was the only child of Hugh and Maggie Watson, whom we went to visit each year.  We spent time visiting relatives in Biggar, Largs, Sea Mill, infact we spent time travelling all over the Border area, and always... [more]

Torwoodlee Lodge until we emigrated to Canada

I spent many summers at Torwoodlee Lodge with my Nanny (Jessie Scott Stewart) and a great uncle, Robert Brockie. As soon as school was out Mum, one of my brothers and myself would pack and catch the train to Glasgow, another to Edinburgh and finally board the bus headed for Galashiels. We'd get off at Torwoodlee Lodge which was within walking... [more]

A lovely and historical summer.

My wife and I spent two months living in Melrose the summer of 2001. It was our home base as we travelled throughout the borders and the rest of Scotland. We chose Melrose for it's charm and convenience and rented Bow Cottage off Abbey Street, from Louise Buchanan, Jimmy Johnston's daughter. The cottage was perfect. My paternal side of the family... [more]

A London Evacuee''s Memories of Midlem.

I was evacuated from London before the German bombs started falling. I think it was in 1939 or 1940 that I arrived at The Manse. I was evacuated to Midlem, Selkikshire TD7 4QE modern postcode, on the Scottish Borders. The address was:-
The Manse
Russell Place
Midlem
SELKIRK
TD7 4

I think that "Russell Place" and the modern postal code... [more]

Stirling Tower

My claim to Fame I was born at home in Stirling Tower at Dryburgh Estate on the 26th November 1960 nee Cockburn. The first person to be born in Dryburgh for over 100 years.

Fastest Ferret gets Guinness World Record

On 11 July 1999, At the North of England Ferret Racing Championships held in Blythe, Northumberland, UK, an Albino Ferret called 'WARHOL' owned by Jacqui Adams of CHIRNSIDE, Berwickshire, ran the 32ft Tube Race in a WORLD RECORD 12.59 seconds. It's now 2007 and the Record hasn't been beaten still. Warhol was nicknamed Berwickshire's White Lightening by the press. Sadly Warhol... [more]

RAF Base

I was born at the RAF base 2 Drone Hill where my father was based. I am now 54 years old and in July 2004 after losing my mother I came up to Coldingham to revisit the base, which to my surprise in now a caravan site, and the house that I was born in is still there. As you can... [more]

Holidays in Coldingham

Until we emigrated to the U.S. in 1948, my family spent our summer holidays in Coldingham with Cha Crowe & family, also, Johnny Walker, known as Walker the Butcher whose son Ian still has his butcher shop in Eyemouth. They were the happiest of times. Carefree summers & lots of chasing rabbits & catching them to make rabbit pie from our... [more]