Crib Head

Landscape Feature in Roxburghshire

Scotland

Crib Head

Old Boundary Marker near Calfshaw Head Estate Boundary Marker beside a wooden fence on the edge of Craik Forest, 545 metres northeast of Calfshaw Head. Inscribed I on the north face. On the former boundary of Teviothead and Roberton parishes in Roxburghshire, but the inscription perhaps indicates this is an estate marker.

Milestone Society National ID: RX_TEVROB01em — Old Boundary Marker near Calfshaw Head Credit: J Glew

Crib Head is a prominent landscape feature located in Roxburghshire, a historic county in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland. Situated near the village of Ancrum, Crib Head is a prominent hill that rises to an altitude of approximately 330 meters (1,080 feet) above sea level.

The hill is characterized by its distinctive shape, with a steep and rocky slope on one side and a more gradual incline on the other. It is composed mainly of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone and shale, which provide a varied and interesting geological landscape.

Crib Head offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with its position allowing for expansive vistas over the rolling hills and valleys of Roxburghshire. On clear days, it is possible to see as far as the Cheviot Hills to the south and the Lammermuir Hills to the north.

The hill is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, who are drawn to its natural beauty and the opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the area. The hillside is covered with heather and grasses, providing habitat for a range of bird species, including red grouse and skylarks.

Crib Head also has historical significance, with evidence of ancient settlements and burial mounds found in the vicinity. The hill has been a site of human activity for centuries, and its strategic location made it an important vantage point during times of conflict.

Overall, Crib Head in Roxburghshire offers a combination of natural beauty, geological interest, and historical significance, making it an appealing destination for those seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and rich heritage of the Scottish Borders.

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Crib Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.354595/-2.9785859 or Grid Reference NT3807. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Boundary Marker near Calfshaw Head

Estate Boundary Marker beside a wooden fence on the edge of Craik Forest, 545 metres northeast of Calfshaw Head. Inscribed I on the north face. On the former boundary of Teviothead and Roberton parishes in Roxburghshire, but the inscription perhaps indicates this is an estate marker. Milestone Society National ID: RX_TEVROB01em

J Glew

Farm Road

The road from Hislop Farm to Falnash Farm and the A7. Also used to gain access to Craik Forest. A new forestry road has been formed on the left.

Walter Baxter

Hazelhope Hill

A rough grazing hillside.

Walter Baxter

Forestry

The edge of Craik Forest south-southeast of Merry Naze.

Walter Baxter

Forestry Road

Provides access to Craik Forest and the building at Lairhope.

Walter Baxter

Crib Sike

To the north of Lairhope.

Walter Baxter

Hill farmland

Viewed from the road at Falnash Farm towards Birkybrae Head.

Walter Baxter

Forestry Road

To the east of Lairhope with forestry to the right on Lairhope Braes.

Walter Baxter

Forestry on Merry Naze

Viewed from Tanlaw Naze.

Walter Baxter

Rough grazing countryside

Looking along to Lodge Hill from Philhope Fell over a large area of rough grazing for hill cattle and sheep.

Walter Baxter

Calfshaw Head

A hill with approximately 50% rough grazing and 50% forestry within the square.

Walter Baxter

A grass track to the northeast of Calfshaw Head

Walter Baxter

The trig point on Calfshaw Head

Between a fence and a forest edge at 403m with a flush bracket number S7687.

Walter Baxter

Rough grazing on Calfshaw Head

Lodge Hill is in the centre of the photo.

Walter Baxter

Teviotdale hill countryside

To the east-northeast of Calfshaw Head near the source of the Dryden Burn. Viewed in early October with the bracken turning brown.

Walter Baxter

Dyke junction, Eilrig

The eastern edge of Craik Forest. The cornrows are a second generation of Sitka spruce. The other two sectors are still rough grazing, with the right hand sector running through the forest up to the house at Eilrig.

Richard Webb

Pwdre ser - a slime mould?

There had been a lot of correspondence with the Radio Scotland "Out of Doors" programme about jelly found on the hill. Here is a typical sample. Folklore has it that it is of meteoric origin, hence the Welsh name Pwdre Ser or star rot. It could be one of many species of slime mould, an unusual group of organisms, which at certain times in their life cycle form giant cells. Normally microscopic, amoeba like cells join up to form giant multi-nucleated cells. Each glob of jelly here is a single cell. Traditionally classified as fungi, but now shifted out of the way into their own kingdom, these blobs and their microscopic originators move. However much correspondence suggests that this is the unpalatable jelly from frog ovaries - the stuff that prevents frog spawn from being eaten. Predators eat the rest of the frog, but not the jelly. Fungal DNA has been found in the jelly, but this is probably decomposition fungi growing on the jelly.

Richard Webb

Drainage ditch, Meadshaw Rig

One of several drains crossing the slope in a newly replanted forestry block. This part of Craik Forest is managed by Kronospan, who also have a large holding on the Eskdalemuir side of the forest. Looking out from the forest with many kilometres of trees behind me towards Philhope Fell. The small rectangular plantation on the saddle has been left off the 1:50,000 map.

Richard Webb

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Crib Head is located at Grid Ref: NT3807 (Lat: 55.354595, Lng: -2.9785859)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders