Stobo Hope

Valley in Peeblesshire

Scotland

Stobo Hope

View from Ladyurd Hill Ladyurd Hill belongs to an obscure category of hills called Donald Deweys. The Deweys were originally drawn up by a Mr Dewey for England and Wales only, then subsequently adopted in Scotland by various hill-list compilers in the early 2000s. The Donald Deweys are Lowland hills lower than Donalds (which are Lowland hills starting at 610 metres, or 2000 feet, and follow no other real criteria other than being deemed important enough to be on his list by Percy Donald back in 1935) but at least 500 metres high, with a minimum prominence of 30 metres. There are 247 in total - I have yet to hear of anybody having done a &#039;round&#039; of them.
Where the actual summit is, is a matter of some debate. The OS map at the 1:25k scale puts it at the Southern end of the fairly long summit plateau, but confuse matters by showing it as being towards the Northern edge of the plateau on their 1:50k scale map. Near to the Southern &#039;summit&#039; are two shallow depressions; an 1850s OS map shows these as being at the site of an old whinstone quarry.
Whether the hill takes its name from the old farm below, or vice-versa is unclear. As is the meaning of &#039;urd&#039;, which also appears in other nearby placenames: Netherurd, Kirkurd and Lochurd. Wikipedia references an 1840s book which suggests it might mean quarter, which presumably would be as in &#039;living quarters&#039;, but other than that there is nothing to go on. — View from Ladyurd Hill Credit: Ian Dodds

Stobo Hope is a picturesque valley located in Peeblesshire, Scotland. Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders, this tranquil and idyllic valley offers stunning natural beauty and a peaceful retreat for visitors.

Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, Stobo Hope is known for its breathtaking landscapes and scenic views. The valley is characterized by its winding river, the Hope Water, which meanders through the heart of the valley, adding to its charm and serenity.

Stobo Hope is home to a variety of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can expect to see an array of wildlife, including deer, otters, and a variety of bird species. The valley’s diverse ecosystem is carefully preserved, making it a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful escape and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Aside from its natural beauty, Stobo Hope also boasts a rich history. The area is dotted with ancient ruins and historical landmarks, such as Stobo Castle, which dates back to the 18th century. The castle’s grand architecture and stunning gardens provide a glimpse into the valley's past and offer a unique cultural experience for visitors.

Stobo Hope offers a range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, including hiking, cycling, and fishing. Its tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking scenery make it an ideal location for those seeking relaxation or outdoor adventure.

In conclusion, Stobo Hope is a hidden gem in Peeblesshire, Scotland, offering visitors a peaceful retreat surrounded by natural beauty, rich history, and a range of outdoor activities.

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Stobo Hope Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.645654/-3.36704 or Grid Reference NT1439. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View from Ladyurd Hill

Ladyurd Hill belongs to an obscure category of hills called Donald Deweys. The Deweys were originally drawn up by a Mr Dewey for England and Wales only, then subsequently adopted in Scotland by various hill-list compilers in the early 2000s. The Donald Deweys are Lowland hills lower than Donalds (which are Lowland hills starting at 610 metres, or 2000 feet, and follow no other real criteria other than being deemed important enough to be on his list by Percy Donald back in 1935) but at least 500 metres high, with a minimum prominence of 30 metres. There are 247 in total - I have yet to hear of anybody having done a 'round' of them. Where the actual summit is, is a matter of some debate. The OS map at the 1:25k scale puts it at the Southern end of the fairly long summit plateau, but confuse matters by showing it as being towards the Northern edge of the plateau on their 1:50k scale map. Near to the Southern 'summit' are two shallow depressions; an 1850s OS map shows these as being at the site of an old whinstone quarry. Whether the hill takes its name from the old farm below, or vice-versa is unclear. As is the meaning of 'urd', which also appears in other nearby placenames: Netherurd, Kirkurd and Lochurd. Wikipedia references an 1840s book which suggests it might mean quarter, which presumably would be as in 'living quarters', but other than that there is nothing to go on.

Ian Dodds

View from Brown Dod

A quirk of the classification of Britain's lesser hills - fun for those who, like me, like these kind of things, but bewildering for most - is that there is a category of hills referred to as Dodds, which actually get their name due to a fairly boring acronym, and refers to British hills with a height of 500-599 metres with a 30 metre drop, and has absolutely nothing to to do with the words 'Dod' or 'Dodd' which occasionally appear in hill names. Since my name is Ian Dodds I should probably step up my research into these things. It is generally accepted that'Dodd' and 'Dod' refer to smallish round hills. Thankfully the internet has become slightly more forgiving about my surname etymology over the last few years. It used to be commonplace to find my family name described online as having derived from the hill name to mean 'small round man', or simply a 'stupid fellow'! All family tree records on the male side lead to and stay in and around Durham, which is reported as being historically the place where most variations of the Dodds surname came from. I have not done much walking round there, so am not sure how many Dodd/Dod hill-names there are in the Durham area; I just know them from Southern Scotland and the Lake District. Irrespective of this, I think it is fair to say that my surname is based on ancestors having lived close to hilly areas, and has nothing whatsoever with us being dim-witted people!

Ian Dodds

Looking towards Penvalla from Cat Hill

Penvalla is a distinctively shaped hill above Harrow Hope.

Alan O'Dowd

South ridge of Green Law

A fence runs along the ridge, once it was electric, but now is a plain one.

Richard Webb

North Ridge, Green Law

David Brown

Broughton Heights: Broomy Side from Green Law

Elliott Simpson

Green Law

The quad bike track makes for easy walking here.

Alan O'Dowd

Col between Green Law and Pyked Stane Hill

Fence line and quad bike track running (almost) in parallel.

Alan O'Dowd

Approaching the summit of Pyked Stane Hill

A fairly gentle gradient in the rolling Broughton Heights.

Alan O'Dowd

Penvalla and the farm of Stobo Hopehead

A remote sheep farm high on the moor between Broughton and Stobo.

Alan O'Dowd

Enclosure near Stobo Hopehead

Looking towards a distant Pykestone Hill.

Alan O'Dowd

Ridge fence on Green Law

Looking back from the summit to Broomy Law with Hammer Head to the left just beyond.

Jim Barton

Ridge to Pyked Stane Hill

A straightforward walk apart from a few snowdrifts with stretches of snow that suddenly collapse under one's weight - but it was April Fools Day after all.

Jim Barton