Brae Head

Hill, Mountain in Roxburghshire

Scotland

Brae 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

Brae Head is a prominent hill located in Roxburghshire, a historic county in the Scottish Borders region of Scotland. Standing at an elevation of approximately 330 meters (1,082 feet), Brae Head forms part of the picturesque Cheviot Hills, which straddle the border between Scotland and England.

The hill is characterized by its gentle slopes and rolling grasslands, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Its location within the Northumberland National Park ensures that Brae Head is teeming with diverse flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

Due to its accessible location, Brae Head attracts visitors from near and far. The hill is conveniently situated near the village of Town Yetholm, which provides amenities such as parking, accommodation, and dining options for those wishing to explore the area. Additionally, the nearby Pennine Way, a long-distance footpath, passes close to Brae Head, providing an opportunity for more extensive hikes and exploration of the wider Cheviot Hills.

Brae Head's rich history also adds to its allure. The hill is believed to have been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of prehistoric settlements and ancient burial grounds found in the vicinity. Today, visitors can discover remnants of these past civilizations while enjoying the tranquility and natural beauty that Brae Head has to offer.

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Brae Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.35455/-2.9796257 or Grid Reference NT3707. 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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Brae Head is located at Grid Ref: NT3707 (Lat: 55.35455, Lng: -2.9796257)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders