Cauldstane Slap - Thieves Road
by Yvonne Johnstone
Title
Cauldstane Slap - Thieves Road
Artist
Yvonne Johnstone
Medium
Photograph - Digitally Enhanced Photograph
Description
Cauldstane Slap lies between the East and West Cairn hills, which form part of the Pentland Hills range, Scotland.
It is a pass (slap is a Scot's word, one meaning of which is pass or shallow valley) and it connects West Lothian to The Borders with an elevation of 1421 feet.
It was an old drove route for cattle and sheep - not for nothing was the Slap known as “The Thieves Road”.
Border Reivers, Moss Troopers and robbers galloped through the pass on night raids.
Wrapped in their plaids, the drovers slept beside their herds and flocks, determined to defend them with dirk and staff, but cattle and sheep were often driven off and blood was shed.
Scheduled Ancient Monuments lie on East Cairn Hill and West Cairn Hill which date from the Bronze Age.
Harperrig reservoir (in the foreground) is known to be used by Eurasian otter and an artificial holt has been provided. An island in the reservoir, called Gull island, provides a safe breeding habitat for gulls and wildfowl. Geese and ducks use the reservoir for wintering.
Uploaded
February 16th, 2021
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