Location:
The Tweed Valley and Innerleithen
The Tweed valley has long been renowned as a superbly aesthetic location. Popular with fishermen, stalkers, golfers and walkers, the area is also renowned as a
World-class centre for mountain biking, with numerous facilities populating the lush forests of the area. It is perhaps this infrastructure and emerging buoyant adventure scene that gives Deerstalker its natural affinity with the area and will ensure that the Deerstalker course is one that excites and amazes.
Spring in the Valley
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Deerstalker will be arriving at a time when the valley really does look its best. With the emerging spring flora and fauna rearing its head after a tough Scottish winter, the colourful valley harbours some of the finest terrain we can find for an event of this nature. Fresh air, dense forest, gurgling burns and a roaring river all combine to give a fantastic backdrop to Deerstalker. The hills of the area are rounded and they have stature and scale, framed against the often changing sky.
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Traquair House
The grounds of historic Traquair House will be the location for the Deerstalker event village. www.traquair.co.uk. The Castle itself is the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and nestles amongst glorious countryside, woods and gardens. Dating back to 1107 it was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost. To this day the Jacobite cause resounds as the Bear Gates, constructed in 1738 and only in use for 6 years afterwards, have remained shut since the visit to the house in 1744 of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Legend has it they were closed following a visit by the Prince and the then 5th Earl of Traquair vowed they would never be opened again until a Stuart king was crowned in London. They remain shut to this day and can be seen at the top of the Avenue leading to the house.
Competitors and supporters are invited to enjoy the house*, extensive grounds, craft workshops, 1745 Cottage Restaurant and the famous Traquair House Brewery housed in the eighteenth century wing and producing the world famous Traquair House Ales, as well as the attractions of the Deerstalker event village.
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The natural beauty of Traquair's grounds are a perfect complement to the intimate nature of the house. There is even a maze here which is one of the largest hedged mazes in Scotland covering over half and acre. It's ¼ mile to reach the centre!
Plenty to do then, even before you've got to the Start line! For more information on Traquair go to www.traquair.co.uk. For Borders visitor info, see www.scot-borders.co.uk.
* Please note, should you wish to visit Traquair House itself, entry to the House is charged separately and tickets can be obtained at the House for the tours.
Accommodation
We want you to make a weekend of it with us and as such we are offering you free parking and camping for Friday and Saturday nights at Traquair, should you require. If you are running and wish to camp, please email us at contact us and tell us how many tents you want to pitch and how many people you are bringing. If you fancy somewhere with a little more comfort, then there is no shortage of excellent and varied local options, ranging from cosy cottages to fabulous spa hotels. A downloadable list is featured here
Log onto www.visitscotland.com/borders to browse quality accommodation in the local area.
