Scotland trip - Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda, Hexham

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Friday, June 23, 2006 (evening)

Vindolana, Roman fort

We began the today by going to see the Roman forts at Hadrian's Wall.  First, we went to Vindolanda, which is an amazing site that is still being excavated.  There are still remains of pretty much the whole town.  There's even some pieces of floor with the water/heating systems in tact beneath them.

Building and sewage foundations at Vindolanda

Buildings remain at Vindolanda

 

The remains of a Roman heating system at Vindolanda

Sewage drain from house at Vindolanda

Building remains at Vindolanda

Tower as it would have appeared from the Roman side of Hadrian's Wall

Vindolanda was built about 122 (the same time as Hadrian's Wall) to house the garrison for the Wall.  The garrison is believed to have left the fort and moved to the nearby fort, Housesteads, which is actually located on the Wall.  Next to the fort of Vindolanda there is a reconstruction of one of the towers as it would have appeared at Hadrian's Wall.

On top of the wall next to the top of the tower

After we finished at Vindolana, we went down the road to the Housesteads site.  This is my first time back to tour England since 1997 and the view of the wall is great. From the northwest corner of the  fort (which in itself is great) you can see the wall wind over hills and hills across the horizon.  It really gives one a good sense of it's enormity.

Hadrian's Wall to the east of Housesteads

While here we saw someone of importance (maybe the D.O.G.??)  complete with a security detail being led about the place.  We were told it was a dry run but it sure looked real! After that we headed up the road to Hexham hoping to see the Abbey and Gaol.  We went in the Gaol which gave a nice presentation on border life in the Middle Ages.  It really packed in a lot of information.  By the time we left it was 4:30 and we were all really tired and ready to get going. We had a lot of ground to cover to get to our B&B outside of Stirling.

I am writing this from Scottish soil, my first visit.  I can't wait to see everything!  It already looks like we won't have enough enough time to do everything we would like.  Sarah has already mentioned coming back for a second visit.

We spent the night in Denny at Woodcockfaulds.  The large farmhouse is a wonderful place to stay.  It's located just off the motorway, but far enough into the country that it feels miles away from anywhere.  Our room was incredibly huge for a B&B and clean.  This place really went the extra mile to make the stay nice.  There were robes for the guests, lots of books and lots of DVDs to use as well as a nice large sitting room/dining room.  Breakfast the next morning was very good as well.  A nice place to use as a touring base if you are planning on visiting the Stirling area.

Front door of Woodcock Faulds

Woodcock Faulds Farm B&B, Denny, Scotland

Woodcock Faulds sign on road

Scotland Trip - Hadrian's Wall

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Friday, June 23, 2006

My parents (in their 60's) invited Sarah and me (in our early 30s) to visit Scotland with them.  As none of us had ever been we were very excited to go.  All of us had been to England numerous times and Sarah had even lived there for a year, but no one had ever gone north of Hadrian's Wall.  So, off we went!
 
Yesterday morning we arrived at Heathrow about 8 AM.  We drove all the way to Hadrian's Wall -- arriving about 3 PM!  What a long day's drive, at least the traffic wasn't bad.   We went to look at the wall briefly before returning to our B&B, Yew Tree Chapel. (The B&B is now a self-catering house called The Old Sunday School)

NOTE:  Both my father and I are used to driving after the transatlantic flight.  It is probably too far for one person to drive immediately after landing.  Especially, if you have never done a long drive after landing.

A view of Hadrian's Wall while standing on it

A view of the land north of Hadrian's Wall

Sheep grazing next to Hadrian's Wall

Another view from the wall

 Hadrian's Wall was built while the Roman Emperor Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire.  The wall was intended primarily to keep the Roman Britons separate from the natives.  Construction began in 122 and stretched from the Irish Sea to the west to the North Sea in the east.  Essentially, separating the modern day countries of England and Scotland.

Yew Tree Chapel is an amazing converted Methodist Chapel in Slaggyford, England.  We were served a delicious evening meal last night.  The breakfast this morning did not disappoint either.  If we return to this part of England, this is definitely where we will stay!
 

Yew Tree Chapel

Entry courtyard to Yew Tree Chapel

Front door of Yew Tree Chapel, Slaggyford

The sitting room at Yew Tree Chapel

You walk under the organ pipes to enter the dining room

Stained glass windows in Yew Tree Chapel

Sitting room at Yew Tree Chapel

This morning Sarah and I ran  about 3 1/2 miles on the Pennine Way which passes our front door.  It got muddy and narrow quickly one direction, so we turned around and on the other side of the road the Way opened up to a nice wide grassy track along the former railroad track.  The place was absolutely full of North American rabbits!  I can't wait to see Scotland today!

Scotland Itinerary - Day 1
Heathrow Airport to Slaggyford (almost a 6 hour drive)
Hadrian's Wall (about 30 minute drive from Slaggyford)