between Hawick and Newcastleton

In various parts of the Scottish Borders are remains of an ancient ditch and bank known as the Catrail. Thought to be a pre-Roman boundary marker its low height makes it seem unlikely to be other than a symbolic fence.

Even today the local towns have a tradition of "Common Riding", annual celebrations which re-affirm the extent of the towns' boundaries which involve riding out on horseback to traditional places in the surrounding countryside, and turning a sod of earth.

At Robert's Linn the Catrail seems to end. Did these falls once have some significance to Iron age Celts 2000 years ago, or to even earlier natives?

After rain the falls are a foaming white sheet, but more often they are quiet: a gentle trickle amongst green moss, ferns and dripping weed.

In the burn below one can find pieces of red cornelian.

Waterfalls of Scotland

Related pages:

• Waterfalls of Scotland