Welcome…

Hello and welcome to my first blog on this shiny new website.  I am Stewart Wilson, dad of two living in Innerleithen, the small town where I was brought up and am now bringing my kids up in.  So, what’s it all about?  Why have I gone to the bother of setting up a website to share my photos and blogs?  It isn’t a mid life crisis I am pleased to report, though the fact that I have done it at the age of 40 does suggest such.  Nor would I go as far as to say it was out of vanity – my photos are OK, but not earth shattering and my writing isn’t professional or particularly profound.  I think it comes down to doing what you love and embracing it.  For some it’s painting, playing golf or making cakes.  For me, it’s wandering, taking photos and then sharing my thoughts or research.  I have used Social Media to share my musings in the past and will continue to do so (link to Instagram is available on the site), but I have grown a little frustrated by how these platforms wish us to share content (I’m sorry, I am just too old for TikTok style videos and am quite happy to admit it), as well as some of the toxicity around them, so I made this decision to strike out on my own terms.

There will be a big focus on my home area in and around Innerleithen.  The hinterland around my hometown was once called Peeblesshire then Tweeddale and has now adopted the moniker Tweed Valley, which has been eagerly embraced by locals and slapped on everything from bike shops and accommodation to charities and even the local Rangers FC supporters club.  So, who am I to stand in the way of modernity – tweed valley blogger it is.  I will say however that all three names for this area will be used interchangeably and with casual distain for historical accuracy.  One name I try to avoid is Scottish Borders, a composite title for the four former Shires that make up this part of Scotland.  I prefer the historic names myself!

I will occasionally stray off topic and into any area which takes my fancy – the beauty of a personal blog, but by and large if you want to know more about this area of Scotland then you are in the right place.   I will aim to post an entry or two a week but will just see how that goes!

Hopefully you find something to enjoy here and do get in touch if you want to find out more.

Stewart