Ettrickbridge was originally known as Kirkhope, hence the names of both its church and community hall. The original name came from Kirkhope Tower, a mile to the north west, once home to the notorious Border_Reiver Auld Wat Scott of Harden.
When a bridge was built over the Ettrick Water at the east end of the village it become known as Ettrick-Brig-End, and later as Ettrickbridge.
The cache is by the bridge, originally built in 1628 by Sir Walter Scott of Harden, and included a panel with his coat of arms, but due to faulty design it fell into ruin by 1715. The bridge was not replaced till 1780 and it was then widened in 1858. The Harden panel has been reset into the upstream side.
The Ettrick Water is excellent for fishing and the surrounding areas are popular with cyclists and walkers. There is also a variety of wildlife and birds, including buzzards, woodpeckers, red squirrels and hare, to name some of the few we recognise and have seen (and you will probably trip over a pheasant) but we are not experts in flora and fauna so there is probably so much more to see. This would be a great place to stop if you are holidaying in Scotland.
Also near the cache is the lovely Kirkhope Parish Church which has a War Memorial Lychgate at it’s entrance, housing a roll of honour and a dedication.
A magnetic nano at one end of the bridge by a footpath up to Helmburn. Another change of container and slight change of location was required due to the replacement container going missing, please BYOP
Well done firrwood-johnny FTF