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| ...Greenlaw |
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Local Attractions Accommodation Feedback Nearby ... Galashiels.... a bustling Borders town situated by the Gala Water. Earlston.... a small Borders town and birthplace of Thomas the Rhymer. For a wider look at this area of Scotland, load our Borders Map and choose your destination! Links .... Borders Tourist Board Scottish Tourist Board Scottish Towns |
his pleasant little Borders town is situated on the Blackadder river in the
foothills of the Lammermuirs and takes its name from the 'green law' (a nearby
hill).
Greenlaw was for over 150 years the county town of Berwickshire - which it shared with nearby Duns until the early years of the 20th century when Duns took over. 
he 'original' town of Greenlaw was situated just over a mile from the present
town. The Greenlaw the visitor will see today was founded in the closing
years of the 17th century.
The Market Cross, erected by Sir Patrick Hume in the 17th century, stood in the town for over 100 years before being removed to make way for the new town hall in 1829. It was assumed that it had been destroyed but happily it was discovered 50 years after its removal and re-erected with some ceremony.
few miles south of Greenlaw and with commanding views over the surrounding
countryside stand the ruined remains of Hume Castle, ancient seat of that
Border family. Like many of Scotland's castles, particularly in the Borders,
its history is a turbulent one. In fact the castle the visitor will see today
is a 'reconstruction' of the 13th century original!
The castle was captured many times during the 16th and 17th centuries and suffered greatly at the hands of Cromwell's troops but was finally rebuilt in the relative peace of the late 18th century. |
| Last Updated April 2000 |
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