19 Arches

Viaduct

Mike and William spent the day hill walking in the Borders area of Scotland, not far from the boarder with England. One of the highlights was passing under the Leaderfoot Viaduct (see photo). That structure, which consists of 19 arches spanning the river Tweed, was built out of sandstone in 1865 to carry rail traffic. Interestingly, it is built at the site of a former Roman fort and river crossing; the Romans did not make it much farther north into Scotland before being turned around.

Fancifully, they also passed by The Rhymer’s Stone. It tells the story of Thomas the Rhymer, a famous poet from the late 1200s. Legend tells of Thomas having fallen asleep near this spot, beneath a tree. According to the story when he awoke, Thomas was confronted by the Queen of the Fairies on a shining grey horse. He then went on an adventure to Fairyland where he stayed for what seemed to be three days, but was in fact seven years. Upon leaving this enchanted land, Thomas gained the gift of speaking the truth and told of many prophecies related to Scottish history.