Often on long training rides and events, it's been said that it would be nice to go back to interesting places that we pass. This doesn't usually happen - cycling is about momentum (flipside inertia).
Last Saturday, cyclingmollie and I decided to something about it and set out deep into the Lammermuirs.
Our target was Edin's Hall Broch, a mysterious place seen on maps and directed to by signposts on the road between Preston and Grantshouse. The trouble is that a non-negilible walk is required - roadies aren't always very good at walking.
So we throw off our weight-weenie shackles - cyclingmollie with a rucksac and me with a Carradice - both filled with extra kit such as shoes and cameras.
The ride there was not unexpectedly hilly but with a good tailwind. We went via Johnnie Cope's Road (new to me) and through to Garvald, past the White Castle fort.
After Whiteadder Reservoir and Cranshaws, we took the disappointingly steep left to Abbey St Bathans (disappointing because the Whiteadder Water takes a much easier route). We stopped before A St B at Toot Corner, locked the bikes to a tree and set off on foot.
The path to the Broch is lovely - It starts with a steep downhill in a wood, crosses a burn (footbridge) then leads in to open countryside. There are wild flowers and hares. Down over the other side of the Whiteadder, there is a curious house (the Retreat) which cylindrical.
The Broch itself is certainly interesting. It's a big site with ramparts (an older fort), roundhouse remains, great views to the south and of course the "Broch" itself.
The building must have been massive - exactly what it looked like is a mystery. Like the brochs in the north, it has massive walls (5 metres thick?) with rooms inside and a staircase. But the ruins are less than 2 m high and the area enclosed is apparent much larger than a broch usually is.
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