A RETURN TO SCOTLAND

From Allendale we head due north, to Haydon Bridge on the Newcastle to Carlisle line, controlled by this fine ex NER signal box.

Not far away is Hadrian's Wall and the remains of Housestead Fort.

Westwards along the wall to the Milecastle Inn, north of Haltwhistle.

Haltwhistle station is our next stop, once the junction for the Alston branch.

This superb NER signal box was still controlling things in 1988.

Also in 1988, Wright Brothers of Nenthead were operating a connecting service to Alston at Haltwhistle station.

I'm uncertain as to whether the Railway Hotel at Haltwhistle is still open.

Into the town centre and the Market Place (Creative Commons License).

There's a few pubs around here. First up, the Black Bull.

The Grey Bull is now closed, sadly.

Another one gone, the Spotted Cow.

Moving on, to Featherstone and the Wallace Arms.

Back to the railway and Brampton Junction station, seen in NER times.

There was once a little branch to Brampton itself, long since closed and Brampton Junction has become just 'Brampton'. Photo by Ben Brooksbank (Creative Commons License).

Just to the north is Lanercost Priory.

It's a good cross country trek to our next place of interest, Kielder Forest station, on the Hexham to Riccarton Junction line of the North British Railway.

Nearby was Kielder Viaduct.

The railway lost its passenger services in 1956 and part of the former line became flooded by the man-made Kieder Water. Here are a few views taken in September 1994, aboard the tour boat.

Over the border now, into Scotland and the first town we happen upon is Hawick. The NBR had a station here.

LNER 9881 'Borderer' at Hawick in 1932.

To the northeast is Jedburgh, with the ruins of its abbey.

Munro's was the main bus operator in Jedburgh.

Further into the Borders Region of Scotland, to St Boswells, where North British Railway 2-4-0 No. 389 is seen.

Another NBR loco, 4-4-0 No. 218 on a Directors' Special at Melrose.

The raiway has reached back into the Borders again and now terminates at Tweedbank.

Not far away is Abbotsford House, once the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Here's Sir Walter's study.

All this culture.....It's time for a beer. We're now in the town of Galashiels and a rare real ale outlet, albeit a Wetherspoons - the Hunters Hall.

We'll look at more of Galashiels and beyond in the next post. Keep up to date with the route here.