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Outdoors
Langholm warms to Cornet Andrew
AN OUTBREAK of Common Riding fever hit Langholm on Friday night when the public turned out in force to vote for this year’s Cornet, and enjoy the town and pipe band perambulating the streets, writes John Smith.
Pleasures in reserve
THE SCOTTISH Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) Borders reserves are holding their first open day at the end of the month.
Palm trees left out in Arran’s cold
I’m just back from an enjoyable week on Arran and I can confirm that it was no warmer over there! It was weird photographing the island’s many palm trees with a backdrop of fresh snow on Goat Fell.
1 commentopen country
I met Dad and his friend Stewart at a layby in the charmingly named Elvanfoot, just at junction 14 off the M74. Elvan means very white in Brythonic (al-gwyn), usually referring to a bright stream in place names. While I waited on their arrival, I had the lucky chance to stand and watch a mistle thrush feeding. It pecked about in the field adjacent to me, the ground around a low wooden trough disturbed by sheep’s hooves.
Bio-week offers a diversity of events
MORE than 20 events are taking place in the Borders to celebrate Scottish Biodiversity Week which starts on Saturday.
Ooh, er, Missus, a flipping great tit
According to the TV programme, “animals do the funniest things”, but after last week I think birds are not far behind.
Open Country with Erica Hume Niven
THE arm of a floral print cotton night dress is caught on the branches of a birch tree. A large blue towel flaps against the moss on a dry-stane dyke. A man’s overall billows in the strong wind, reminiscent of a scarecrow with legs and arms made round from the straw that is stuffed into them.
Country Diary
THURSDAYS until October 25: Trimontium Walk from Melrose past abbey to Newstead for a circuit of hidden Roman fortress of Trimontium. Includes views from Leaderfoot Viaduct. Followed by tea in village hall. Return to Melrose by the same route or by riverside (15 mins longer). Dogs welcome. All ages: children must be accompanied by adult. 1.30-5.15pm. Meet: Roman Heritage Centre, Market Square, Melrose. Wear sound shoes. £3, concessions £2.50, children free.
Grants on offer for local environment projects
COMMUNITY groups involved with nature are being invited to apply for grants of up to £20,000.
Coastal path added to Scotland’s walking network
A 28-MILE path along the Berwickshire coast has been added to the national network Scotland’s Great Trails.
Stand by for Raid
FOR mountain bikers, all roads lead to the Borders this weekend. The unique Border Raid, the second round of the Bike Place Marathon Series, starts at Kielder on Saturday morning and brings riders on forest roads, green roads and man-made single-track to Newcastleton and back on a single 50kms circuit.
COUNTRY DIARY
SUNDAY: Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club, Grizedale Peak (90: 228236). Meet West Port car park, Selkirk 7.30am. Contact Evelyn Horsburgh, 01750 76214
open country
Cademuir Forest near Peebles is a relatively small Forestry Commission plantation predominantly of Sitka spruce and larch. I was surveying a walk there in early March. When the needles are off the larch the views over to Hundleshope Heights are excellent. The east side of the hill is very steep, accentuating the high rise of ground on the other side of the valley.
Blow the wind southerly – please!
When is this interminable east wind going to change? We are into May and I have yet to see an orange tip butterfly and the last two Friday night moth trapping sessions have drawn a complete blank – it has been so cold.
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Weather for Galashiels
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
