I spent too much of the morning watching a stoat from various windows of our home. One thing struck me. In the bright winter sunshine, the white blaze down its front helps to camouflage it.

A woodpecker has also been a frequent visitor recently. For those, like guests in our cottages, who have time to watch, there is much to see

The Scottish Borders or Monument Valley? This photo was taken on a recent visit to Cove on the coast of the Scottish Borders. A tiny and pretty harbour where 2 small fishing boats are based. Along the cliff-top south from Cove is a great coastal walk.

It has been reported that funding is to be made available for at least some work in connection with maintenance and improvement of Abbotsford, once the home of Sir Walter Scott.
A visit to Abbotsford is very much worthwhile for residents of The Scottish Borders and for visitors to the region. The story of Sir Walter is fascinating. The house and the collection it contains is of equal interest.

Dryburgh Abbey, Scottish Borders

Dryburgh Abbey is a very special place on one bank of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. Although a ruin, the buildings are still very attractive. A few centuries ago, they were saved, preserved and cared for by a Scot (Earl of Buchan?) who lived close by and adopted the abbey grounds as his garden/hobby/playground. So the fate of many old buildings - dismantled & stone used in projects elsewhere - was avoided. I have been told that one arch which had been removed to one of the estates was eventually returned and erected once more.

The wedding of my daughter took place in the abbey a few years ago.

A sparrow hawk has visited Burnbrae once or twice recently. Today, I found it inside one of our buildings. Maybe it seeks accommodation at Burnbrae.

Borders castles

Visited Cessford Castle yesterday. The effects of weather on the massive structure are impressive.

As a stronghold, the castle is also impressive, although roof, floors and some of the masonry has long gone. For more images, visit www.burnbraehol.co.uk

Art and artistic craft in the Scottish Borders

September 5 - 13 is a season of invitations to visit studios, workshops and galleries in The Scottish Borders and Northumbria which will be open at various times within that season. Details are on the website www.crossing-borders.org.uk. Visitors will be able to see works of art and artistic crafts produced in the borders regions, to meet and talk with artists & others, to purchase works and to see examples of work produced during textile art classes held at Burnbrae Holidays.