Cardrona is a large forest that drapes the hillsides on the south side of the Tweed Valley. There are lovely views up the Tweed Valley towards Glentress. Look out for red squirrels and a wealth of birdlife. Cardrona Tower, built in the 1500s, is now a ruin – but bats think it’s an ideal home. Don’t miss the site of the Iron Age fort at Castle Knowe – the walls are built on top of a layout some 2,000 years old.
From the centre of Peebles take the B7062, signposted for Cardrona and Traquair, and head east for about 2 ¾ miles (4.4 km). The entrance to Cardrona forest is on the right, at grid reference NT 292 385. Car parking, Please note, parking charges are as follows: * £1 for up to 1 hour * £3 for all day * £12 for minibus and coach all day
------------------ PUZZLE BELOW --------------
Initially a market town, Peebles played a role in the woollen industry of the Borders during the 19th and early 20th Century. Most mills closed by the 1960s, although the last one remained open until 2015. The composition of Peebles has now changed; the town is home to many people who commute to work in Edinburgh, as well as being a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. In the mid-to-late 19th century, this included health tourism, centring on hydropathic establishments. Notable buildings in the town include the Old Parish Church of Peebles and Neidpath Castle. Other local attractions include a museum and the Kailzie Gardens.
The oldest building in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church. The church was founded in 1195. It was destroyed (along with many other Borders abbeys and priories) by the soldiers of Henry VIII. The stones of the ruins were pilfered for many other local buildings leaving only the tower standing amongst the gravestone of the churchyard. Another ancient church in the town is the Cross Kirk, founded in 12U1. Although now mainly ruins, the Cross Kirk plays a prominent part in the local festival.
The arms of the Royal Burgh of Peebles features three salmon on a red field. The heraldic blazon is: Gules, three salmons counter-naiant in pale proper. The motto is Contra Nando Incrementum, Latin for "There is growth by swimming against the stream", referring to the annual migration of salmon up the River Tweed in order to breed. The one salmon facing forwards and two facing backwards represent the fact that for every salmon that goes up the river, two come back to the sea. The arms are very old, first appearing on the town's mercat cross, which was built some time before 1X20. Originally the colours were not standardised, the background variously appearing as blue, green or red. The latter seems to have been most common, and it was red that was chosen when the arms were formally granted by Lord Lyon in 1T9W, following a petition from the town clerk, William Buchan, who had previously received a letter from A. C. Fox-Davies questioning the burgh's right to use the arms. After the abolition of the old Scottish burghs in 1S75, the arms became redundant. In 1988 they were regranted to the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council, who continue to use the arms today, with the addition of a community council's coronet. The traditional province of Ångermanland in Sweden also has a very similar coat of arms, but with a blue background.
N 55.37.STU W003.07.WX4
