News from the rivers Dee and Tweed

IT’S been a busy month for the rivers Dee and Tweed. Actor Robson Green, Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger, and internationally-experienced river guide Al Peake have been appointed as ambassadors for the River Dee Trust. Green said: “It’s the bonniest river, not only in Scotland, but in Britain if not Europe. “But, like all rivers,…

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Bronze sculpture overlooks Union Chain Bridge

A BRONZE sculpture of designer Captain Samuel Brown now overlooks the Union Chain Bridge. The sculpture was placed on the Northumbrian side of the bridge, which links Scotland with England, to “oversee” the final stages of the current restoration work. Brown was a Royal Navy officer who made cables for ships using iron chains. His…

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River Tweed salmon catch up 14%

THE number of Atlantic salmon caught with rods in the River Tweed leapt by 14% last year, according to the latest figures. The River Tweed Commission said 6,690 salmon were caught last year, up from 5,862 in 2021, and approaching the five-year average of 6,810. The additional 828 fish were caught despite “extremely-low water levels…

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River Tweed fishing season begins in Kelso

ANGLER Kent Håkansson from Sweden yesterday cast the first line of the River Tweed salmon fishing season in Kelso. The River Tweed Commission (RTC) hosted its official opening of the season in the Borders for the first time more than 30 years. Peter Straker-Smith, the RTC’s chairman, said: “The Tweed provides fantastic fishing opportunities [that]…

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Unwrap your festive issue of Scottish Field…

THE December issue of Scottish Field is out now, both in shops and online. As our minds shift towards Christmas, the latest issue of our magazine celebrates the work being undertaken by a local hero. “Given that this is our Christmas issue, I’m pleased to be able to bring the work of David Fox-Pitt to…

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Music at Paxton is ready to return this summer

Music at Paxton is returning to the summer festival season this July. Once again, it will bring glorious international chamber music to Paxton House, on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. The Maxwell Quartet will return as Ensemble in Residence. There will be song recitals, an outstanding range of international musicians,…

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Borders Book Festival reveals its big name guests

A host of literary and political giants are among the highlights of the 2021 Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival. This year’s event is being held in November at Ed Miliband, home of Sir Walter Scott, whose 250th anniversary is being celebrated throughout the year. Writers Hilary Mantel and Alexander McCall Smith, crime-writing royalty Ian Rankin,…

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Union Chain Bridge champion wins award

ONE of the people behind the campaign to preserve the historic Union Chain Bridge linking England and Scotland across the River Tweed has been chosen as the winner of the Tweed Forum River Champion Award. Edward Cawthorn from Berwick was a founding member of the “Friends of the Union Chain Bridge”, which was formed in…

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River Tweed route comes step closer

PLANS to launch a tourist route along the River Tweed have taken a step forward after Borders environmental charity Tweed Forum appointed Luke Fisher as its Destination Tweed project manager. Tweed Forum is working with Scottish Borders Council to create a long-distance route from Moffat to Berwick upon Tweed. The £20 million initiative was awarded…

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How tweed stood the test of time

The experts at Walker Slater explore the history of tweed on its journey from simple protection against harsh weather to its status as a sophisticated material favoured by royalty. TWEED has a longstanding, romantic history, dating back to 18th century Scotland. The term “tweed” was coined accidentally in 1826 due to a misread label on…

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