Carterhaugh

Carterhaugh with the Ettrick Water in the foreground
Carterhaugh Bridge crossing Ettrick Water

Carterhaugh /ˌkɑːrtərˈhɔː/ is a wood and farm near the confluence of the Yarrow Water and the Ettrick Water near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.[1] This real location shares its name with the fictional setting for the meeting between Tam Lin and Janet (sometimes Margaret) in the ballad "Tam Lin".[2] This is commemorated in the name of Tamlane's Well, on the roadside outside Carterhaugh Farm.[3] The link between the location and the ballad is debated.[4]

It is close to the site of the Battle of Philiphaugh (1645) on Ettrick Water and to the birthplace of Mungo Park on Yarrow Water. Carterhaugh Bridge is a listed building, reference number 13866,[5] listed as Caterhaugh.

  1. ^ "Carterhaugh Ba' Game is re-enacted at Bowhill Estate". BBC Scotland. 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Tam Lin and Carterhaugh, Selkirk, Scotland". tam-lin.org. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Tamlane's Well (Carterhaugh) - Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Scotland in Scottish Borders". The Megalithic Portal. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  4. ^ Biggs, Iain (ed.). "Between Carterhaugh and Tamshiel Rig: a borderline episode". University of Leeds. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  5. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Caterhaugh Bridge (Category B Listed Building) (LB13866)". Retrieved 26 March 2019.