THE spring weekend in March found the club going to Hawick in the Scottish Borders with a great choice of the Elm House Hotel.

The owners Lynn and Stephen Murray and all the staff made us most welcome and the accommodation and food were excellent.

Also, being well situated in the town meant that all the walks were from the hotel.

Saturday: All 27 walkers started from the hotel, along the Border Abbey Way, which follows the river Teviot east.

After about six miles at Denholm, three of the party took the bus back.

The rest carried on the ascent past Rubers Law Fort (a Roman Signal Station) until we reached Jedburgh, after a 14-mile walk led by Phil and Jan.

After a welcome drink we were treated, by chance, to the end of a car rally, with the first three cars led to the finish by a local bagpipe band.

Sunday: Howard and Wilma planned a shorter day.

Starting through Wilton Park, we found statues of Jimmy Guthrie and Steve Hislop, both well known motorcycle champions.

We then walked north for about three miles, at which point the A group carried on north over the moors, passing the Ogilivie Cairn and Seat, and various monuments before arriving at the Border Abbey Way.

Then back to Hawick after about 12 miles.

Meanwhile, the B group turned east to meet the Border Abbey Way and then south back to Hawick after about eight miles.

After the initial ascent all had great views.

Luckily the weather kept dry but cold and we had a great weekend for the first time in the Scottish Borders.