Gamelshiel Castle

Heritage Site in East Lothian

Scotland

Gamelshiel Castle

Tour of Britain Stage 7 KOM Sign in East Lothian On the B6355 beside the Whiteadder Reservoir. The Tour would begin here to climb Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs KOM 3 Cat 2. Once at the top, the riders would drop down into Gifford and continue on to finish at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. — Tour of Britain Stage 7 KOM Sign in East Lothian Credit: Jennifer Petrie

Gamelshiel Castle is a historic site located in East Lothian, Scotland. It is a fortified tower house that dates back to the 16th century. The castle is situated on a small hill, providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The castle was built by the Hay family, who were prominent landowners in the area. It served as a defensive structure and a symbol of power and wealth. The castle features a sturdy stone construction with thick walls, narrow windows, and a fortified entrance.

Gamelshiel Castle consists of three floors, including a basement. The ground floor housed the kitchen and storage areas, while the upper floors were used for living quarters. The tower house is topped with a crow-stepped gable roof, adding to its architectural charm.

Over the centuries, the castle underwent various renovations and alterations. In the 19th century, a larger mansion was added to the site, incorporating the original tower house. Today, only the tower house remains, as the mansion was demolished in the 20th century.

Gamelshiel Castle is a designated heritage site and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the castle's interior, which has been restored to showcase its original features. The site also offers guided tours, providing a glimpse into the castle's rich history and the lives of its former inhabitants.

Overall, Gamelshiel Castle stands as a testament to Scotland's architectural and historical heritage. Its picturesque setting and well-preserved structure make it a popular attraction for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

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Gamelshiel Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.872/-2.567 or Grid Reference NT6464. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Tour of Britain Stage 7 KOM Sign in East Lothian

On the B6355 beside the Whiteadder Reservoir. The Tour would begin here to climb Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs KOM 3 Cat 2. Once at the top, the riders would drop down into Gifford and continue on to finish at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 route in East Lothian

Later in the day the riders would race along here B6355 by the Whiteadder Reservoir. They would start at Hawick, passing through Lauder, Duns and Cranshaws before reaching this spot. Then just around this corner, they would climb KOM 3 Cat2 at Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs before dropping down into Gifford.

Jennifer Petrie

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Stage 7 The Breakaway in East Lothian

Here come the breakaway and they are 6 mins ahead of the peloton! They are on the B6355 between Cranshaws and Gifford in the Lammermuirs and about to start the KOM 3 Cat 2 at Wanside Rig Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) is in the lead. Also here are Matthew Gibson (Ribble Weldtite), Christopher Blevins (Trinity), Yves Lampaert (Deceuninck Quickstep), Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck) Quickstep) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Jumbo Visma). Later on Yves Lampaert would win Stage 7 in Edinburgh. Pascal would give his bottle as a prize to an enthusiastic young 12 year old cyclist from Bonnyrigg who raced them along the pavement! This clip of the Tour went viral and the boy was invited to meet the team etc in Aberdeen the next day, where he was presented with a Jumbo Visma jersey.

Jennifer Petrie

Motorbikes at Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

Motor bikes ahead of the peloton near Whiteadder Reservoir.

Jennifer Petrie

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

Motor bike and cameraman ride ahead of the peloton by Whiteadder Reservoir. Just round the corner was the KOM start at Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

The Race Director's car. In the background is the Whiteadder Reservoir.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

Ribble Weldtite and other team cars follow the peloton near the start of KOM 3 at Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

Team cars followed the peloton near the Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuirs. ST PIRAN Team car is white. St Piran is a Pro Cycling Team based in Cornwall. Founded in 2018 with the intent of developing Cornish Cycling Talent and hopefully getting an invitation to the Tour de France.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian

One of the SKODA organisation cars near the Whiteadder Reservoir in the Lammermuirs.

Jennifer Petrie

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Stage 7 The Peloton in East Lothian

Richie Porte (Ineos Grenadiers) leads the chase from the front of the peloton about 6 minutes behind the breakaway! They are about to start the KOM 3 Cat 2 climb at Wanside Rig (which would be won by Matthew Gibson). In this bunch can be seen Julian Alaphilippe in his World Champion jersey, Wout Van Aert in his Belgium Champion jersey and Ethan Hayter wearing the leader's jersey. Today's Stage 7 finishing in Edinburgh would be won by Yves Lampaert, with Ethan Hayter of Ineos Grenadiers becoming the leader in general classification, Wout Van Aert in 2nd place and Julian Alaphilippe in 3rd. After the next day's Stage 8 finishing at Aberdeen, Wout Van Aert would win the stage by winning 10 bonus seconds at the finish line to become the overall Winner of the Tour of Britain 2021, with Ethan Hayter being 2nd and Julian Alaphilippe coming 3rd. Two weeks later, in Leuven, Flanders BELGIUM, Julian Alaphilippe won the UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS for the 2nd year running and gained the privilege of wearing the winner’s Rainbow Jersey for yet another year. Tom Pidcock GB won 6th Place. Wout Van Aert was 11th. Ethan Hayter was in 35th Place.

Jennifer Petrie

Tour of Britain Stage 7 in East Lothian at Wanside Rig

Only after the Race had passed by, the team cars had all driven away and most of the spectators had gone home, did bright sunshine burst out!

Jennifer Petrie

The Lammermuirs near Wanside Rig

Earlier in the day the Tour of Britain had ridden past on their way up Wanside Rig KOM 3 Cat 2 in Stage 7. Only after the Race had passed by and all the spectators had gone home did the sun shine!

Jennifer Petrie

AJ Bell Tour of Britain Stage 7- The Breakaway- in East Lothian

Here comes the BREAKAWAY, about 6 mins ahead of the PELOTON! They are on the B6355 between CRANSHAWS and GIFFORD and are just about to start the KOM 3 Cat2 climb at Wanside Rig in the Lammermuirs. Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) is in the lead. Also here are Yves Lampaert (Deceuninck Quick-Step) Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck Quick-Step) Matthew Gibson (Ribble Weldtite) Christopher Blevins (Trinity) and Pascal Eenkhoorn (Jumbo Visma). Matthew Gibson would outsprint the others here and win the Prime at Wanside Rig. Later on Yves Lampaert would be the winner of Stage 7 in Edinburgh. Pascal Eenkhoorn would give away his drinking bottle as a prize to an enthusiastic 12 year old cyclist from Bonnyrigg who raced them along the pavement! This clip of the Tour went viral and the boy was invited to meet the team etc in Aberdeen the next day, where he was presented with a Jumbo Visma jersey.

Jennifer Petrie

Signs for the Herring Road in the Lammermuirs

The Herring Road is a traditional route which crosses the Lammermuir Hills. It extends for 28 miles (28km) and was the path used in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries by fish-wives carrying heavy baskets of cured herring from the coast at Dunbar to market in Lauder.

Jennifer Petrie

Water sports at Whiteadder Reservoir

Although the reservoir and the Outdoor Education Centre are in East Lothian, it has been managed by the Outdoor Education department of Scottish Borders Council for over 20 years. Through a partnership between East Lothian Council, Scottish Borders Council and Borders Sailing Club, funds were obtained for a major refurbishment, and the new Centre was opened in 2005.

Russel Wills