May 7, 2025

Our daughter, Hannah, spent one of her undergraduate summers studying at the Edinburgh College of Art, founded in 1760! As we have been to the city before to visit with her, we decided to travel to an area of Scotland known as “The Borders,” because it borders with Great Britian. Every inch of the area has been fought over, bitterly and often, from prehistoric times until the middle of the 17th century. Whole towns were sacked, hastily rebuilt, and heavily fortified after the lessons learned. Because there was no way to reach the area by local transportation we decided to take an excursion.

The Border country is a checkerboard of fertile farmland laced with wooded river valleys within a rim of undulating hills. The most amazing sites are the many canola oil flower fields we saw along the way. These views alone would have made the trip worthwhile.

Our first stop was The Floors Castle, the home of the Duke of Roxburghe and the ancestral home of Tarzan, having been the location of the movie Greystoke. Built by William Adam between 1721 and 1725, this immense mansion, flanked by vast pavilions with minarets and cupolas, has an almost Eastern look. A tree on the grounds marks the spot where James II was killed by an exploding cannon in 1460. The apartments display an outstanding collection of French 17th- to 18th-century furniture, many fine works of art and tapestries, Chinese and Dresden porcelain, and a Victorian collection of birds. Because this is currently the residence of the 16th Duke of Roxburgh and his family, we were not able to take photos inside the residence. However, the Duke and his family have plenty of room to roam around. The castle is 65,000 square feet!

Chongae and I walked around pretending we were the future 17th Duke and Dutchess of Roxburgh. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite fit the role. (at least not me)

We also passed Dryburgh which was ravaged by the English until 1545, when Hertford, acting for Henry VIII, left it a smoking ruin. It was robbed of its usefulness, but not of its tranquil beauty, nor its atmosphere of sanctity.

We than made a short stop at Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is the center of the city. This is where Queen Elizabeth’s burial procession traveled to in Scotland. We also went back to Prince Street in the old city close to where Hannah studied at the Edinburgh College of Art. You can notice a lot of college age students.

We had a wonderful tour guide and as always, the people of Scotland were very gracious.

We did find out there was another way to see The Borders.

Maybe, next time.

Thanks for traveling with us.

Thirdmill Update: Cornhill Scotland is a Christian college that trains gospel workers in close partnership with local churches. Their Pastors’ Training Course is a three-year program of on-the-job theological education for trainee ministers. From Cornhill professor Rev. Philip: “We use Thirdmill materials variously throughout Cornhill and our Pastors Training Course. The traditional model of training, which took ministry candidates away from the local church to seminaries, has not served the church in Scotland well. We share the conviction with Thirdmill that training for ministry is best done in the local church, where theology and practical ministry are learned together. Ministers are trained and equipped in the midst of the people they teach the Bible to and serve. Our students never learn abstract theology without asking the question ’so what?’ and reflecting on how it will impact their preaching and ministry amongst the church congregation.“