Watch Water
The Watch Water is a river in Berwickshire. It rises on Lammermuir, around five miles west of Longformacus, and flows generally eastward to its confluence with the Dye Water, around half a mile west of Longformacus.
The Dye Water flows into the Whiteadder Water, which in turn is a tributary of the River Tweed.
Watch Water Reservoir
Watch Water Reservoir is a man-made reservoir, located approximately halfway along the river's course, around two miles from Longformacus and seven and a half miles from Duns. It extends to 121 acres, and is formed by an earthen dam.[1]
The Southern Upland Way, a coast to coast long distance footpath, skirts the northern edge of the reservoir, and the Sir Walter Scott Way from Moffat to Cockburnspath also passes by it. The partial ruins of a peel tower survive as part of Old Scarlaw Cottage, also on the northern edge of the reservoir.[2]
John Dippie's Well
Close to where the Southern Upland Way crosses the Watch Water is John Dippie's Well. This natural spring is marked by a carved stone erected in 1869, inscribed "There is no water in the Lammermuirs sweeter than that at John Dippie’s Well."[3] The remains of an 18th-century farmstead, traditionally the home of the well's Keeper is located nearby.[3]
The reason for the sweetness of the water, according to family sources, was that John would go ahead of his shooting party to add some whisky to the water.
Outside links
- Location map: 55°48’-0"N, 2°32’32"W
References
- ↑ CANMORE (RCAHMS) record of Watch Water Reservoir
- ↑ CANMORE (RCAHMS) record of Watch Water Reservoir
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dumfries and Galloway Council (2003). "The Southern Upland Way Archaeology Guide". p. 18. http://www.southernuplandway.gov.uk/cms/media/archeology.pdf?phpMyAdmin=50c87a502e44e04aa55c02496da60605. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
