Kirk of the Lowes Traditional Geocache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
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Karen
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A short but steep walk up to the ancient and ruined old kirk from
St Mary's Loch, park on the verge by the signpost. The climb is
well worth the effort though, as the views up and down the loch
from here are quite stunning.
At around 3 miles long and legend has it, bottomless. St. Mary's
Loch is the largest natural loch in the Borders.
This attractive loch nestling in the hills is associated with the
meetings of the writers James Hogg and Sir Walter Scott.
From the 13th century, when the church is first mentioned, til it's
destruction in 1557, it was arguably known as the Forest Kirk in
which William Wallace was elected Guardian of Scotland. Although
there is some confusion about the exact whereabouts and which kirk
it took place in. St Mary's of Farmainishope, an old name of the
adjoining lands of kirkstead, St Mary of the Lowes, and the Kirk of
Yarrow is the namesake for the beautiful lochs bellow.
There is an open air service on the last Sunday in July beside St
Mary’s Kirk of the Lowes. It is believed to have taken place
since the times when the covenanting preachers were fighting to
establish Presbyterianism and to combat the religious oppression of
Charles I. The preachers were barred from holding a service in a
church, so gathered together on the hillside, under the shelter of
blankets. The tradition still continues today.
As for wildlife, small brown Meadow Pipits are the most common bird
to be seen, but occasionally Buzzard, Short-eared Owl and Black
Grouse may also be spotted. On the loch itself, a few duck such as
Mallard, Pochard and Goosander may be seen and during the winter
months, Goldeneye and Whooper Swans also visit. Watch out for Red
Squirrels, which were seen while placing the cache.
Cache is a very small rubber sealed tupperware, only large enough
for the smallest swaps, coins, travel bugs.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
haqre gur gerr ohg abg HAQRE gur gerr