BORDER TOWNS
coldstream
If you enter Scotland via ‘the Wooler Road’ the A697 from Newcastle,
the first Scottish place you will come to is Coldstream.
It is the sort of place you pass through on the way somewhere
yet it has much of interest.
It was at a major crossing point of the Tweed, first by a ford and then by a bridge.
Being at the Border it suffered during the border wars and, as long as England and Scotland were separate countries, inhabitants took advantage of whatever benefits there were in crossing the border, which was usually from south to north.
Being between the Cheviot Hills and the coast the way through Coldstream was popular with invading armies. However, it usually stayed in Scottish hands unlike Berwick which changed hands so often and finally settled for England even though it is on the same bank of the Tweed as Coldstream.
Coldstream has many pleasant riverside walks. Nuns Walk is associated with a Cistercian priory which was founded there in 1143. It stood where the Leet joined the Tweed but little of it now remains.
Near to the priory site were found great quantities of human bones believed to be the remains of victims of Flodden.
Irregular Marriages
The Coldstream Museum highlights the history of the regiment and is located on the site of the original headquarters
Wark Castle
Etal Castle
Ford Castle
Birgham