Clare joins a hill shepherd at Harbottle Crags in Northumberland.
31听October 2008
Harbottle Crags in Northumberland is the setting where Clare meets John Monks, who was once a hill shepherd in the area.
Harbottle Crags in Northumberland is the setting where Clare meets John Monks, who was once a hill shepherd in the area. He realised that his passion for the beauty of the countryside and exploring the land was shared by the hundreds of visitors he met each year asking him for walking routes. This has now become his business as he explains to Clare when she joins Jon and some of his regular walkers on a six mile route that ends up at the ruin of Harbottle Castle.
John started his farming career on arable farms in the North West of the country. After a few years, he took the decision to become a shepherd because of his love for the hill tops and the countryside.
Map: Explorer OL16, The Cheviot Hills Start Grid Ref: NT926049 Distance: 6 miles Terrain: Hill walking Suitable for: most walkers. It does require walking uphill.
Route: This is a circular route. Start at the car park in Harbottle. If you drive past Harbottle Castle (which is on your right), the turning to the car park will be on your left.
Start off climbing up a hill to the top of Harbottle Crags and enjoy views of the Cheviot Hills and the Northumberland and Scottish border. You will then walk through a wooded section, then drop back down the valley and follow the river Coquet to Harbottle Castle.
Clare joins a hill shepherd at Harbottle Crags in Northumberland.
