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Catrail

Heritage Site in Roxburghshire

Scotland

Catrail

The Western Slope Of Scaw'd Law Extensive Sitka forestry on the western slopes of Scaw'd Law as viewed from Maiden Paps. In the distance, snow is falling over Greatmoor Hill. Only a few light flakes fell on my time heading up to Maiden Paps.
The Western Slope Of Scaw'd Law Credit: James T M Towill

Catrail, located in Roxburghshire, is a historic heritage site that holds great significance in Scotland. Also known as the Picts' Work Ditch or Graham's Dyke, Catrail is an ancient earthwork that stretches for approximately 48 miles across the rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders.

Believed to have been constructed around the 6th century AD, Catrail is a complex system of banks, ditches, and mounds. It is thought to have served as a territorial boundary or defensive structure during the early medieval period. The earthwork varies in height and width, with some sections reaching up to 6 feet high and 12 feet wide.

The exact purpose and builders of Catrail remain a mystery, adding to its allure and intrigue. Some theories suggest that it was built by the Picts, an ancient Celtic people who inhabited the area. Others propose that it may have been created by the Romans or the Anglo-Saxons. Regardless of its origin, Catrail is a testament to the remarkable engineering skills of the time and reflects the historical importance of the region.

Today, visitors can explore Catrail by following various walking routes that have been established along its course. The earthwork offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, taking visitors on a journey through centuries of Scottish history. Its location amidst picturesque countryside adds to the charm of the site, attracting both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Catrail, Roxburghshire, stands as a remarkable testament to Scotland's ancient past, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage.

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Catrail Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.313/-2.763 or Grid Reference NT5102. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Western Slope Of Scaw'd Law Extensive Sitka forestry on the western slopes of Scaw'd Law as viewed from Maiden Paps. In the distance, snow is falling over Greatmoor Hill. Only a few light flakes fell on my time heading up to Maiden Paps.
The Western Slope Of Scaw'd Law
Extensive Sitka forestry on the western slopes of Scaw'd Law as viewed from Maiden Paps. In the distance, snow is falling over Greatmoor Hill. Only a few light flakes fell on my time heading up to Maiden Paps.
Forestry road near Lime Kiln Edge
Forestry road near Lime Kiln Edge
The end of the track near the southern portal of Whitrope Tunnel Viewed from a brake van on scheduled passenger trips along a relaid section of track on the first open day of 2022 at Whitrope Heritage Centre. The result of the major tunnel collapse can just be glimpsed through the safety barriers across the tunnel portal. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21/22.
The end of the track near the southern portal of Whitrope Tunnel
Viewed from a brake van on scheduled passenger trips along a relaid section of track on the first open day of 2022 at Whitrope Heritage Centre. The result of the major tunnel collapse can just be glimpsed through the safety barriers across the tunnel portal. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21/22.
Gate on track to Riccarton Junction Until this track was built in 1963 there was no road to the community that lived at the junction of the Edinburgh - Carlisle Waverley line and the Border Counties railway to Berwick. The track gives an easy 3-mile walk to the site of the former village.
Gate on track to Riccarton Junction
Until this track was built in 1963 there was no road to the community that lived at the junction of the Edinburgh - Carlisle Waverley line and the Border Counties railway to Berwick. The track gives an easy 3-mile walk to the site of the former village.
Forest and moorland above Whitrope Hass Open moor and plantations below which runs Whitrope Tunnel on the Waverley Line. Greatmoor Hill is on the skyline.
Forest and moorland above Whitrope Hass
Open moor and plantations below which runs Whitrope Tunnel on the Waverley Line. Greatmoor Hill is on the skyline.
Forest and moorland, Whitrope Whitrope Cottages (centre) with Greatmoor Hill (L) and Leap Hill (R) and Maiden Paps (far right), all seen from the forest road to Riccarton Junction.
Forest and moorland, Whitrope
Whitrope Cottages (centre) with Greatmoor Hill (L) and Leap Hill (R) and Maiden Paps (far right), all seen from the forest road to Riccarton Junction.
B6399 at Whitrope The road from Newcastleton to Hawick approaching its highest point (about 360m) at Whitrope Hass.
B6399 at Whitrope
The road from Newcastleton to Hawick approaching its highest point (about 360m) at Whitrope Hass.
Track to Riccarton Junction leaving B6399 road Looking southward.
Track to Riccarton Junction leaving B6399 road
Looking southward.
Forest track to the south-west of Brown Knowe Looking north-eastward.
Forest track to the south-west of Brown Knowe
Looking north-eastward.
Over Whitrope Tunnel A view from the path which zig-zags above the course of Whitrope Tunnel near the northern portal. Leap Hill can be seen to the far left, the Maiden Paps to the right.
Over Whitrope Tunnel
A view from the path which zig-zags above the course of Whitrope Tunnel near the northern portal. Leap Hill can be seen to the far left, the Maiden Paps to the right.
View from Sandy Edge A view over the moorland and fresh conifer plantation growth towards Greatmoor Hill.
View from Sandy Edge
A view over the moorland and fresh conifer plantation growth towards Greatmoor Hill.
Heading towards Maiden Paps
Heading towards Maiden Paps
On the route of the Waverley Line A wintry scene on the route of the former Waverley Line. Leap Hill is cloaked in cloud in the distance. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
On the route of the Waverley Line
A wintry scene on the route of the former Waverley Line. Leap Hill is cloaked in cloud in the distance. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Forestry operations beside the former Waverley Line Significant tree harvesting is taking place in the area and there has been construction of a logging road off the former Waverley Line, just south of Catrail, leading up to Sandy Edge by the eastern slopes of Leap Hill. Leap Hill can also be noted in this photograph, to the far right. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Forestry operations beside the former Waverley Line
Significant tree harvesting is taking place in the area and there has been construction of a logging road off the former Waverley Line, just south of Catrail, leading up to Sandy Edge by the eastern slopes of Leap Hill. Leap Hill can also be noted in this photograph, to the far right. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Stalactites and icicles Stalactites and icicles just inside the northern portal of the Whitrope Tunnel. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Stalactites and icicles
Stalactites and icicles just inside the northern portal of the Whitrope Tunnel. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Heading up to Sandy Edge A footpath heads up to Sandy Edge, over the Whitrope Tunnel. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Heading up to Sandy Edge
A footpath heads up to Sandy Edge, over the Whitrope Tunnel. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Construction shaft two for the Whitrope Tunnel The lying snow has helped to define the outline of the second shaft for the construction of the Whitrope Tunnel in the 1860s. This shaft was also the location of a fatality on 21 April 1840 when a 45 year old contractor fell to his death. Further information about the construction of the tunnel can be found at <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://waverleyrouteha.wordpress.com/2020/05/09/building-the-waverley-route-the-story-of-the-whitrope-contract-1859-62/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://waverleyrouteha.wordpress.com/2020/05/09/building-the-waverley-route-the-story-of-the-whitrope-contract-1859-62/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Construction shaft two for the Whitrope Tunnel
The lying snow has helped to define the outline of the second shaft for the construction of the Whitrope Tunnel in the 1860s. This shaft was also the location of a fatality on 21 April 1840 when a 45 year old contractor fell to his death. Further information about the construction of the tunnel can be found at LinkExternal link This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Snowy Sandy Edge Continuing the alliteration, it was also 'squelchy' underfoot. On my last visit on 1 January 2018, the end of this section presented tussocky grass moorland interspersed with heather and partially-covered ditches. Alas, now a forestry logging road has reached the end of this section and affords an easy alternative back down to the former Waverley Line, just before the Catrail. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
Snowy Sandy Edge
Continuing the alliteration, it was also 'squelchy' underfoot. On my last visit on 1 January 2018, the end of this section presented tussocky grass moorland interspersed with heather and partially-covered ditches. Alas, now a forestry logging road has reached the end of this section and affords an easy alternative back down to the former Waverley Line, just before the Catrail. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.
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Catrail is located at Grid Ref: NT5102 (Lat: 55.313, Lng: -2.763)

What 3 Words

///unstated.think.acids. Near Teviothead, Scottish Borders

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Catrail

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