Northumberland Reports
Review of Gilsland by Paul Barton on April 12th, 2006
Stardling the Cumbria Northumberland county boundary lies Gilsland. It sits on the picturesque River Irthing which was a favourite place for Sir Walter Scott. He is reputed to have proposed to his wife here at the 'popping stones' which can be found in the delightful river gorge close to the Gilsland Spa. He visited the area often and based some of his characters around some of the local. Megs Merrilees perhaps being the most notorious.In Roman times there was a magnificent viaduct across the river - sadly not visible anymore, but the Hadrian's wall National Trail with its purpose built footbridge keeps faithfully to the line of the Wall through the village. The Victorians built the Carlisle to Newcastle railway through the Wall here but thankfully left the Poltross Burn Milecastle almost intact tucked away behind a bridge.
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