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Lauder

Lying on the A68 from Edinburgh, Lauder is a charming little border town in the middle of Lammermuir Hills.


Lauder is elongated town that simply follows the line of the A68 road from Edinburgh to Darlington in England. Much of the medieval street plan of Lauder still remains pretty much intact. The central Market Place is divided by a line of buildings called Mid Row. At the north end of them is Lauder Town Hall which has served various uses over the years as the tolbooth, the town jail and the council meeting place.

The original Lauder was contained within encircling lanes that defined the circumference of the town and were bounded with semi-defensible walls. These lanes are now called Castle Wynd and Manse Road; their original names were much more charming and boisterous: Upper Backside and Lower Backside. To the east of the Market Place is Lauder Old Church with its unusual Greek Cross plan and octagonal tower. The church was built in 1673 to replace a church knocked down by the 2nd Earl of Lauderdale.

The A68 road South lies along the route of the famous Roman road "Dere Street" and has witnessed the passage of many armies while the present–day Southern Upland Way crosses Lauder on its way to the East Coast.

The remains of an important Medieval Hospital and Medical Centre lies on Soutra Hill, near Lauder, currently being lovingly restored by archaeologists and historians.

To the South of Lauder is Earlston and the Rhymer's Tower once the home of Thomas the Rhymer the 13th century poet famed for his gift of prophesy.

Eating Out

If you are stopping Lauder on the way through then try The Black Bull. This coaching inn was built in the 1700s and extended in the 1800s. The Black Bull serves excellent bar meals and is understandably popular as a result.

Travel Directions to Lauder

The best way to visit Lauder is by car. There are buses from Edinburgh that pass through the town on their way South.

Roads

A68

Walks

  • Linn Dean Soutra Hill Reserve

    Small nature reserve on Soutra Hill worth a stop if driving A68 South to Lauder. This once peaceful location is now home to wind turbines so for enthusiasts for them, great place to see them in action.