CS – Monthly Meeting (July)

Route RTN – Chain Bridge Honey Farm to St Boswells – 53 miles – https://maps.app.goo.gl/uKfjRFgPPWcYsfhT9

Things to watch out for –

1 – Leaving A1 to join A6112 to Duns. There is a turning lane to leave the A1 but if the A1 is busy going north, there may not be enough space for all cars to fit in to this (depending upon how many are on the run) – probably best if half the cars hold back a bit on the dual carriageway a couple of miles before this so that there is sufficient time for all to clear this junction safely. We can re-group after the turn.

2 – Narrow hump backed bridge on A6112 just after Preston on the way to Duns.

3 – Nice views directly in front of Tweed valley and the Cheviot hills when approaching Duns (location of Jim Clark museum).

4 – Further narrow bridge about 2 miles after leaving Duns on the way to Swinton.

5 – B6461 from Swinton towards the Chain Bridge is quite rough, especially around the 3-4 mile mark between these two locations.

6 – Chain Bridge (opened 1820) – welcome to England. This crossing of the river Tweed is single lane and has a 2.5 tonne weight limit so normally cars go over one at a time. May have to let vehicles cross from the opposite direction but this road is normally very quiet. Do watch out for the stone pillars at either end of the bridge as the lane is pretty narrow – the multi-coloured scrape marks on these attest to many failed attempts! The Honey Farm coffee stop is at the top of the hill on the left after crossing the bride and is well signposted – about 300 metres down the driveway.

1 – Norham – Norham Castle (original 12th century – rebuilt 16th century) on descent to village – Note the main street always has lots of cars parked on the left so there is really only one lane for each direction so may have to hold back or make use of convenient spaces to pull in.

2 – Crossroads with A698 about 2 miles after Norham where we give way. The view to the left is sometimes a bit restricted.

3 – Joining B6354 about 4 miles after Norham – view to left restricted. The North Sea and Holy Island is briefly visible away on the left after this junction. Note there are some rough patches on this road.

4 – Joining A697 after Ford (not car related) – view to right can be restricted.

5 – B6396 from turn off with A687 can be a bit rough in places, especially on the English side. Continue on this road for approx. 13 miles – back into Scotland.

6 – Joining B6352 from B6396 – view to left restricted.

7 – Kelso Old bridge across river Tweed is a squeeze if larger vehicles coming in opposite direction. Floors Castle just about visible on the left when crossing the bridge and Kelso Abbey on the right just after leaving the bridge.

8 – Lumpy cobbles going through Kelso.

9 – Joining A6105 from B6397 about 11 miles from Kelso – view restricted to right.

10 – B6356 after Earlston is narrow and rough in places.

11 – Turn right to Join B6360 2.5 miles after Earlston then immediately left towards Scott’s View. named after Sir Walter Scott whose Abbotsford home was about 5 miles west of here.

12 – Road is pretty rough for a short distance a mile or so after leaving Scott’s View.

13 – Mertoun Bridge across river Tweed after joining B6404 is a squeeze if larger vehicles coming in opposite direction and watch out for walkers/cyclists.

14 – St Boswells – the main street always has lots of cars parked on the right so there is really only one lane for each direction so may have to hold back or make use of convenient spaces to pull in.