St Cuthbert's Way 2003
16th March 2003.

The first time ukLANDROVERevents has gone North of the border.  15 Land Rovers make up our Scottish Borders convoy.

As always, a variety of Solihull models graced our convoy.  We had a Series 1 (complete with V8 engine), a Series IIA, several 90's and 110's, Series I and II Discovery's and the Bobtailed Range Rover.

The weather had been pre-booked, so the sun was already shining when vehicles started to arrive at Melrose Abbey.  It wasn't long before the car park was taken over by Land Rovers.  Even the owner of a pretend 4x4 (Frontera) moved their vehicle out of the car park when they saw the finer vehicles arriving.

Plenty of time for admiring the other vehicles at the start of this event, as if we set off too early, we'll be getting far too wet at the tidal causeway across onto Holy Island.

We set off at around 11.15am and as soon as we leave Melrose we turn onto the back roads.  We're heading over bridges, under viaducts and along the smallest roads we could find to plot our way to Holy Island.

The convoy stays together as we pass through Gattonside and continue on the small country roads.

Over another bridge, and on towards Dryburgh, although at the last minute, we turn away to our left and head for St Boswells instead.

Again, just as we're about to enter St Boswells itself, we turn down another narrow lane.  The idea of staying on quiet roads and away from busy towns seems to be working up to now.

We briefly cross a slightly more major road as we pass Maxton and Fairnington, now heading towards West Nisbet and yet another bridge.

On we go to Cessford and the site of an ancient ruined castle.  No time to stop though, we're heading for our lunch stop at Kirk Yetholm.

Just before lunch, after stopping for a quick photo, one of the vehicles doesn't want to start again.  It's the Series One, so given it's age, no-one can blame it for being a little tempremental.

And anyway, what better place to have a problem with your Land Rover than in the middle of a convoy of 15 Land Rovers!

The Series One is dutifully towed behind the Range Rover as we're only a couple of miles away from Yetholm.

Kirk Yetholm give us a great welcome and allow us to park on the village green.  A huge thankyou go to all the residents of the village, and in particular Stuart Smith of the Community Council who maintains the village website (www.yetholmonline.org).

A quick check of the Series One tells us we need more professional help, so a call is placed to the RAC.  Local firm Armstrongs are called out, and after checking all the electrics, a fuel problem is diagnosed.  Everyone is stood around the vehicle watching the mechanic at work (how's that for pressure!).  A quick cap full of fuel is scientifically thrown into each carb and the V8 fires up.

All that work in the time taken to eat a few sandwiches!  The air filters re-fitted and bonnet down, we're ready for the off, and the vehicles leave Kirk Yetholm to continue the run.

We're now over the border and into Northumberland.  We pass through Kirknewton and Wooler, and we're due to go over a narrow bridge into West Horton.  Just at the last minute, we notice our narrow bridge has been closed today for repairs.  WHAT NOW?  Not to worry, GPS to the rescue, we identify another bridge and another route into West Horton.  An almost seamless change to our route and we're back on track.

We can see the coast now and before long it's time to cross the causeway onto Holy Island.  We're early, but the good weather means the tide is already out, so the crossing isn't a problem.

On Holy Island the vehicles line up together for one last time as photographs are taken and stories told.  A quick look around the Island, and people start heading for home.

If you were there, thanks for coming and we hope you enjoyed the trip.  We hope to see you again soon on another event.

Keep checking this website for dates of other coming events, and the date of the next St Cuthbert's Way Run.

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