John's Birthday Walk at Ruberslaw and Fatlips Castle

Last week we met at our holiday Log Cabin and this week we met at John & Sandria's holiday cottage near Denholm. The occasion was John's Birthday walk which took us on a circular route from Denholm to the top of Ruberslaw and then back to Denholm. On return to Denholm we drove a couple of miles to the car park at Fatlips Castle and then walked the half mile uphill to the Castle. We covered in the day almost 8 miles and climbed in total about 2000ft.

The last of the Summer Wine Walkers. A motley crew.

Our destination Ruberslaw in the distance at almost 1400 ft. 

The last stage and the steepest part of the walk. Notice that I got to the top first so I could take the photo.

At the top and the dullest weather but still quite warm

In this area a preacher called Peden used to hold religious meetings. The same person who Pedens View is named after on the outskirts of Langholm. He got about a bit Mr. Peden and I bet his sermons were not very long after climbing to the top of Ruberslaw.

You cannot go far in the Borders without seeing the Eildons although today it was a bit hazy.

On our way back to Denholm past this lovely Beech hedge.

From Denholm we took the cars to Fatlips Castle which not really a Castle but a Border Keep similar to Johnny Armstrongs Tower at Hollows. It is a half mile from the car park but a climb of about 750 ft. It is called Fatlips Castle because there was a tradition that the gentlemen were allowed to kiss the ladies on entering the castle. Sounds like a very good idea.

And once again the Eildons in the distance

The view from Fatlips Castle looking up the Teviot valley

We ended up back in Denholm and had tea as guests of the Borders Walking Festival which is based there this year for a lovely afternoon tea provided by the local W.I. Several years ago Mike Tinker and I had a meeting with the organisers of the many Walking Festivals in the South of Scotland and the North of England to explain how we at the Langholm Walking Festival provided our superb teas after each walk. I am glad to see they copied our idea.

This is Tom taking a photograph of us all at Fatlips Castle. He struggled to get back on his feet after this.