Cat Cleuch

Valley in Roxburghshire

Scotland

Cat Cleuch

Minor road approaching Howpasley Looking south-westward.
Minor road approaching Howpasley Credit: Peter Wood

Cat Cleuch is a picturesque valley located in the historic county of Roxburghshire, Scotland. Nestled amidst the stunning landscape of the Scottish Borders, this valley is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

Surrounded by rolling hills and dense woodlands, Cat Cleuch offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The valley is characterized by its lush green meadows, crystal-clear streams, and towering trees, creating a haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts.

The name "Cat Cleuch" is derived from the Scots language, with "cleuch" meaning a narrow ravine or gorge. The valley is indeed a testament to this definition, as it features steep slopes and rocky outcrops that add to its rugged charm.

Walking and hiking enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to explore the valley's trails, which offer breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area is particularly popular with birdwatchers, as it is home to a wide variety of avian species, including buzzards, owls, and pheasants.

Cat Cleuch is also steeped in history, with ancient ruins and archaeological sites scattered throughout the area. These remnants of the past offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of Roxburghshire and the people who once inhabited this land.

Overall, Cat Cleuch is a hidden gem in the Scottish Borders, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in nature and experience the tranquility of this idyllic valley.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Cat Cleuch Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.344041/-3.0368732 or Grid Reference NT3406. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Minor road approaching Howpasley Looking south-westward.
Minor road approaching Howpasley
Looking south-westward.
Memorial Plaque to Air Crash Situated at the car park at Craik Forest this memorial reads, 
"In memory of the crew of Halifax MK II JP190 which crashed here on the night of 1st April 1944 with the loss of all 8 crew.
Flying Officer Ronald E. Ross  +  Sergeant Harold W. Simpson
Flying Officer John Birkett    +  Sergeant Cyril Farthing
Sergeant Peter Burchell        +  Sergeant John D. Hinder
Sergeant Brian A. Bell         +  Sergeant Herbert Smith
Erected 1st April 1994 by Nos 2463(Currie and Balerno) Squadron, 1007(Duns)
Squadron Air Training Corps and the Forestry Commission
Memorial Plaque to Air Crash
Situated at the car park at Craik Forest this memorial reads, "In memory of the crew of Halifax MK II JP190 which crashed here on the night of 1st April 1944 with the loss of all 8 crew. Flying Officer Ronald E. Ross + Sergeant Harold W. Simpson Flying Officer John Birkett + Sergeant Cyril Farthing Sergeant Peter Burchell + Sergeant John D. Hinder Sergeant Brian A. Bell + Sergeant Herbert Smith Erected 1st April 1994 by Nos 2463(Currie and Balerno) Squadron, 1007(Duns) Squadron Air Training Corps and the Forestry Commission
Chainsaw Carving Chainsaw Carving of a squirrel by Rodney Holland.
 A very talented piece of work!
This is placed at the start of a number of nature trails in Craik Forest. Red squirrels are to be found in the woods here with nesting boxes and some planting to encourage them. One of few locations in the south of Scotland where red squirrels can be found.
Chainsaw Carving
Chainsaw Carving of a squirrel by Rodney Holland. A very talented piece of work! This is placed at the start of a number of nature trails in Craik Forest. Red squirrels are to be found in the woods here with nesting boxes and some planting to encourage them. One of few locations in the south of Scotland where red squirrels can be found.
Craik Forest Photograph taken from Roman Road which passes through Craik Forest.  In the foreground is Tess my mountain rescue dog.
Craik Forest
Photograph taken from Roman Road which passes through Craik Forest. In the foreground is Tess my mountain rescue dog.
Craik Forest Training mountain rescue dogs with SARDA Southern Scotland in the Craik Forest area.  In the foreground is Tess my search dog.
Craik Forest
Training mountain rescue dogs with SARDA Southern Scotland in the Craik Forest area. In the foreground is Tess my search dog.
Picnic site, Craik Forest Waymarked paths lead out of the clearing to the west.
Picnic site, Craik Forest
Waymarked paths lead out of the clearing to the west.
Picnic site, Craik Forest Picnic benches are located along the bank of the small burn.
Picnic site, Craik Forest
Picnic benches are located along the bank of the small burn.
Not too far from the car park One of many open spaces in the forest. This one is very close to the car park.
Not too far from the car park
One of many open spaces in the forest. This one is very close to the car park.
Track junction near the picnic site, Craik Forest The venue for a walk on a day of worsening weather. This was to be exacerbated by the removal of trail markers and infrastructure in the name of cost cutting by the forestry authorities.
Track junction near the picnic site, Craik Forest
The venue for a walk on a day of worsening weather. This was to be exacerbated by the removal of trail markers and infrastructure in the name of cost cutting by the forestry authorities.
Forestry access track in the Craik Forest A firm track in the Craik Forest near Old Howpasley.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Forestry access track in the Craik Forest
A firm track in the Craik Forest near Old Howpasley. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Between the blocks in Craik Forest Murky winter conditions in the Craik Forest in this view between two planting blocks.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Between the blocks in Craik Forest
Murky winter conditions in the Craik Forest in this view between two planting blocks. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Clearfell on the western slopes of Pike Hill A view across the barren post-harvesting 'forestscape' down to the Hedley Burn.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Clearfell on the western slopes of Pike Hill
A view across the barren post-harvesting 'forestscape' down to the Hedley Burn. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Forestry access track at Mid Rig A block remains in the distance, surrounded by clearfell.

This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Forestry access track at Mid Rig
A block remains in the distance, surrounded by clearfell. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020.
Howpasley Once a farm, but its land is now under sitka.
Howpasley
Once a farm, but its land is now under sitka.
Forest Track, near Craikhope Crossing the hill to the SE of the Craikhope Outdoor Centre.
Forest Track, near Craikhope
Crossing the hill to the SE of the Craikhope Outdoor Centre.
Firebreak, White Hill Looking down into the valley of the Borthwick Water
Firebreak, White Hill
Looking down into the valley of the Borthwick Water
White Holm The upper reaches of the Howpasley Burn
White Holm
The upper reaches of the Howpasley Burn
Howpasley Hope If you're looking for a nice quiet country cottage, all this needs is a lick of paint and a few slates fixing...  though it is 3km from the nearest road with no path.
Howpasley Hope
If you're looking for a nice quiet country cottage, all this needs is a lick of paint and a few slates fixing... though it is 3km from the nearest road with no path.
Show me another place!

Cat Cleuch is located at Grid Ref: NT3406 (Lat: 55.344041, Lng: -3.0368732)

Unitary Authority: The Scottish Borders

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///printing.testers.lilac. Near Teviothead, Scottish Borders

Nearby Locations

Loans Cleuch Cat Cleuch

Related Wikis

Craik, Scottish Borders

Craik is a hamlet in Craik Forest, by the Airhouse Burn in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, close to Roberton, Scottish Borders (grid reference NT348084...

Craik Forest

Craik Forest is a forest near Hawick in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, and managed by the Forestry Commission. It is adjoined to the south-west...

Falnash

Falnash (Scots: Fawenesh) is a village in the Scottish Borders of Scotland. It is near Teviothead, in the former Roxburghshire, and in the parish of Teviothead...

River Teviot

The River Teviot (; Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Tìbhiot), or Teviot Water, is a river of the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, and is the largest tributary...

Have you been to Cat Cleuch?

Leave your review of Cat Cleuch below (or comments, questions and feedback).