Time to celebrate the Cheviot Hills
Apr 25 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
Environment Editor Tony Henderson on a celebration of the Cheviot Hills
THE charm of the Cheviot Hills is made up of a beguiling mixture of ingredients. There is the dramatic landscape, the diversity of wildlife, sense of remoteness and tranquillity, and a long legacy of history ranging from the prehistoric and hill forts to the medieval and beyond.
This autumn will see the culmination of the two-year Cheviot Hills Heritage Project, which set out to explore, research and celebrate the area and its people.
It has centred on four communities on the English side of the Cheviots – Alwinton, Ingram, Wooler and Kirknewton, and three on the Scottish side of the fence in Yetholm, Morebattle and Oxnam.
Next weekend sees the start of a summer-long series of free guided walks organised by the project.
People were asked to log a number of favourite walks and spectacular views – including many of the old drove roads.
Sites for spotting wildlife were singled out, such as the salmon leap at Hethpool, the great oaks of Oxnam Neuk and the wild goats of Yeavering Bell. Ancient rock art, hill forts, churches and buildings are also much prized. The walks, which range from an easy stroll to vigorous high-hills treks, take in a wide selection of these special places.
The first walk is a three-mile trail with artist, storyteller and guide Peter McEwen of Walk Northumbria, who will lead strollers over West Hill and St Gregory’s and around the village of Kirknewton near Wooler.
The free walk starts at 11am next Saturday at Kirknewton Village Hall and refreshments will be served from 10.30am onwards.
The hall will also feature an exhibition on rural life.
When it came to making special choices, local people picked places such as Kirknewton’s medieval church, Wilkinson Park near Alwinton and a shooting lodge at Kidlandlee built by Christopher Leyland, who bred the leylandii tree.
Also included was Camp Knowes, used as a base to attack Harbottle Castle, Surrey House near Wooler, where the Earl of Surrey lodged before the Battle of Flodden, and at Morebattle Linton Kirk, Clifton Park where the first motor trip in Scotland took place, and Hownam Law hill fort and standing stones.
The plan is that the choices and other research and activities will feed into a Cheviots heritage atlas at the end of the project.
Project officer Jane Riddell, from Northumberland National Park, says: “It is about communities sharing their knowledge and Cheviot settlements on both side of the border working with each other.
“It will help people learn more about why the Cheviots Hills are so special.”
The aim is that the project will also help to encourage sustainable tourism in the area.
The next project event will tie in with the Yetholm Walking Weekend at the end of May, followed at Alwinton on June 27, based on salmon and the River Coquet.
