Stands of dark water
Stands of dark water 17th February 2018 Tucked into the folds of the Border hills lie glistening stands of dark water. They appear suddenly when cresting a knoll or rounding a bend or dropping from high ground into the pleat of a hill. All distinguished by location, size and setting, each with its own character and atmosphere. Some are steep sided and lethal, sitting deep into the ground with sharp drops from the surrounding land. Others seem to fit the land better, with gentle sloping access running easily from land to water and out again. Others are edged by trees and undergrowth that need passing before the waters edge is found. In the hills above Abbotsford house, close to Galashiels are two such lochs. The day is grey and cold as we pull quickly up onto the edge line of hills that runs to the south of the B6360. A small plantation of beech trees tops the main hill before we head off to our right in search of the waymarked path. The height we have gained has already