A pair of stories of interest about the village of Walkerburn. Both of these I have told before on Instagram but are presented here in lengthier versions. Enjoy!

The Iron Man

Mention ‘Iron Man’ to most people and they’ll think Robert Downey Jr in a red shiny suit or maybe a Black Sabbath tune. Mention it to a Walkerburn resident however, and they will think of Walkerburn’s A listed building, a public urinal, built in the French style.

Made from prefabricated Cast Iron from The Saracen Foundry, Glasgow (great name for an iron works - it just sounds so solid), it has been in the village since 1897 and is now officially out of use - though the fact that the ‘GENTLEMEN’ sign is still in place will I’m sure have lured in the odd visitor at this popular wee (sorry) spot. It sits adjacent to Caberston Farm Cafe, a great starting, mid or end point for a day in the hills - the Club Sandwich is outrageous.

I’m not sure if it ever had plumbing as such but my thorough research shows that should any gent be caught short today, only gravity and the adjacent burn provide an escape route for their pee.

There is an inscription inside - the florid style of language confirming its Victorian origins. Indeed, it’s this antiquity and the scarcity of these types of structure in the UK that have led to its, perhaps surprising, Category A listed protection from Historic Enviornment Scotland. So it’s here to stay!

Out of use and probably ignored by most people whizzing past on the A72, it shouldn’t be forgotten and is a piece of Walkerburn history that I’m happy to draw a wee bit of attention to.

The Wee Man

We are now a century on from the First World War memorials being built in almost every community in the UK. For me this feels like the greatest artistic and community expression we’ve ever had - there wasn’t a set format, every place put their own stamp on it. Innerleithen made a stunning rock garden representing the Leithen Valley, Traqauir a simple but stark Celtic Cross and The County memorial in Peebles is ornate with a domed roof and Italianate/Celtic cross. The Walkerburn memorial was simple but moving - the ‘wee man’, a smaller than life size soldier, cast in bronze with head bowed in constant remembrance. This, like all memorials, was paid for by the public and unveiled in 1921. It stayed in place until 1998 where it was stolen in a wicked, cruel and thoughtless crime. It was feared lost but the good folk of Walkerburn once again raised funds for a new, life size replacement which was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal in 1999. And that was the end of that we thought. However, in 2000 a policeman based at Edinburgh Airport happened to notice a familiar figure in a neighbouring scrapyard. The policeman, Peter Thorburn, had previously been based in Innerleithen so knew of the theft and was stunned to discover the unique statue waiting to be scrapped. So now Walkerburn has two soldiers, the life sized 1999 replacement at the War Memorial and the 1921 original ‘wee man’ now lives further down Galashiels Road having been unveiled (again) by local legend Molly McIntosh MBE in 2002. He now has a prominent place next to the great bell of Walkerburn Mill, a constant reminder of Walkerburns industrial village past, and the 58 men who gave their lives to protect this village and beautiful valley.

The Iron Man and The Wee Man

The Ballad of Tam Lin

The Tweed Valley Railway Path