Carter Bar | |
|---|---|
  Carter Bar Location in theUnited Kingdom | |
| Coordinates:55°21′16″N02°28′39″W / 55.35444°N 2.47750°W /55.35444; -2.47750 | |
| Grid position | NT697068 |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Elevation | 418 metres (1,371 ft) |
Carter Bar is apass in theCheviot Hills, on theAnglo-Scottish border. It lies north-east of Carter Fell at the head ofRedesdale, and is crossed by theA68 road as it runs north towardsJedburgh andTeviotdale.
The name "Carter Bar" is relatively modern, and refers to atoll-gate that once stood here. Historically, the pass was known as theRedeswire, from the Scots wordswire meaning "col" or "pass".[2] TheRedeswire Fray, the last skirmish between England and Scotland, was fought here in 1575.[3]
Carter Bar was the location of the "truce days", at which thewardens of the English and Scottish marches would meet to dispense cross-border justice. Truce days were also held atCarlisle andBerwick-upon-Tweed.
In 1575, Carter Bar was the scene of the Raid of the Redeswire, one of the last large-scale battles between the English and the Scots.[4]
In the 19th century a toll road was constructed from Carter Bar to the market town ofHawick, necessitating the building of theBonchester Bridge over theRule Water.[5]
Carter Bar forms a popular point for tourists to stop and take photographs on the Anglo-Scottish border. There are two marker stones on either side of the A68 for this purpose, the original stone created by local Borders stonemason, Eddie Laub.[6] Upper Redesdale, theScottish Borders (includingTweeddale), and the Cheviot Hills are all visible from Carter Bar. However, its altitude means snow is possible even in late spring and early autumn, and the Carter Bar pass can be subject to frequent snow-related closures during the winter.
