Fettling up my Guest Room

[cessna152towser]

After all my past scrounging of free board and lodging from my relatives and from my fellow xmarkers, it is long overdue that I should fettle up Ann's old room as a guest bedroom. I will organise a new carpet and two single beds. A place for xmarkers and their partners to stay while touring the Scottish Borders, rich in rolling scenery, fortified tower houses and the history of border reiving and the border clans, Armstrong, Elliot, Johnstone, Moffat, Scott, Turnbull...etc... Though you will need to share my bathroom with me, I am told by my 'merican friends that 'mericans don't like sharing bathrooms, but my house only has one bathroom, that is just part of the culture over here in Europe. Let me know in good time if you want to stay here when you come to Scotland.

[NewGuise]

Just down the road from lovely Jedburgh - the first place I ever stayed in Scotland. An excuse to plan the next trip back...!

[piperdbh]

That's a wonderful idea, Alex.

I have a question: what's the origin of the word "fettling"? I think I'll start using it.

I just thought of another question: how near are you to Lanark, and in particular to Lee Castle? I'd like to visit my Lockharts someday.

[Paul]

How kind, Alex!

[dfmacliam]

Alex, you will find your Worldwide friends would appreciate your hospitality..shared bathroom and all.. besides.. Myself, it would never be an issue.. since I was raised with the old adage..."Beggars can't be choosers!LOL

[Phil]

That is really generous of you, Alex, and I am sure many "mericans" and others will overcome their bathroom inhibitions to enjoy the beautiful border country. You maybe should have mentioned that we have inside toilets nowadays as well!

[English Bloke]

A very kind offer Alex. You're ideally placed on the scenic route between Ferintosh Guesthouse in Dumfries and the Capital, Edinburgh. I'm sure you'll have numerous folks availing you of your hospitality. It is lovely around where you are and you are surrounded by a wealth of kilting cloth and high quality socks along the A7. Best your visitors don't try and get to you by train though. It's a fair ol' walk to the station I believe.

Some interesting "then and now" pictures of the old Hawick "Waverley" line are here. The line was closed in January 1969 as part of the Beeching Review. This left the people of Hawick stranded 40+ miles from the nearest railway station... which was across the border in England. There are plans in progress to re-open a section of the line from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, south of Galasheils but no plans as yet to reconnect Hawick to the national rail network.

[Sir William]

Alex,

A very generous offer and one I may take up if I come back over on my own. The wife has said that she wants to stay at "The Bank" again anytime we are near Hawick. She is not very fond of B&Bs, though I like them, but she loved "The Bank."

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

That's a wonderful idea, Alex.

I have a question: what's the origin of the word "fettling"? I think I'll start using it.

I just thought of another question: how near are you to Lanark, and in particular to Lee Castle? I'd like to visit my Lockharts someday.

I used to regularly make the drive from The Lee to Hawick, a distance of about 60-65 miles. I'd usually allow an hour and a half and generally arrive pretty much "on time".

And "top marks" to Alex and his display of traditional Scottish hospitality!

[starbkjrus]

Alex, how kind of you. You can bet that at some point in the next couple of years Ron and I will take you up on that offer.