Ancrum, Thomson's Cave

Four inaccessible caves were observed in the right bank of the Ale Water, between the manse and the smithy (NT 625 246 - NT 627 247). In the same bank, near the weirs at Townfoot and 12ft above the river bed, there is a group of three caves (NT 628 247). Two of these are practically destroyed by landslips : the third, which is roofless, measures 11ft long by 5ft wide at the mouth and 9ft wide at the back.

Thomson's Cave has now been destroyed, but is shown by the 1899 edition of the OS map to have been situated in the right bank N of Townhead (NT 624 246).

RCAHMS 1956, visited May 1939

In late-January 2018 HES undertook a recording exercise on a series of artificial caves carved into the steep sandstone cliffs on the right (south) bank of the Ale Water at Ancrum. Health and safety concerns meant that none of the caves was entered on the date of visit and all dimensions given have been calculated from laser scan data obtained from the opposite bank of the river.

Information from HES Survey and Recording (GLB) 21 June 2019.

Nothing is now visible of Thomson’s Cave, which was cut into the sandstone cliff that forms the steep right (southern) bank of the Ale Water at Ancrum, about 160m west of the manse (NT62SW 85). Allegedly, the cave was named after James Thomson (1700 – 1746), who published a series of poems called the Seasons between 1726 and 1730. Although mention is made of fifteen caves in the vicinity of Ancrum in the Statistical Account (1794, Vol. X, 294-95), the first account to specifically name the cave appears in the New Statistical Account (1845, Vol. III, 243-44). This records ‘Near the Maltan Walls, in the opposite grounds of Ancrum House, and for a considerable way up the Ale, are also to be seen various caves, amounting in all to fifteen, hewn out of the rocky banks of the river in the most inaccessible places. These caves have doubtless been intended and used for places of concealment in the times of the border wars. And many of them must have been extremely difficult of discovery and access, but having been provided with fire-places and apertures in the roof to carry off the smoke, and commanding a plentiful supply of water. But the days are happily gone bye, when, from the predatory habits of the borderers, such hiding-places were rendered necessary; and, as a pleasing contrast to their original destination, it may be mentioned, that they were often resorted to for retirement and meditation, by the author of the “Seasons”; and one in particular, named “Thomson’s Cave” is pointed out as his favourite retreat, and which is situated in the immediate vicinity of the manse, of which the poet was the frequent inmate during the incumbency of his friend Mr Cranston.’

The cave is depicted and named on the 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey 25-inch to a mile map (Roxburghshire 1860, Sheet XIV.12) and the contemporary Name Book (Roxburgh vol.1 p.41), describes it as a ‘cave or hollow in a rock on the banks of the Ale Water situated a little above Ancrum village, it is of easy access having a footpath leading to it, the poet Thomson, made frequent visits to it, hence the name’.

In the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4) F H Groome states that Thomson’s cave was ‘a favourite retreat of the author of The Seasons, who was a frequent inmate of Ancrum Manse, and is known as ' Thomson's Cave, ' his name being carved on its roof, it is said, by his own hand.’

The cave is also depicted and named on 2nd edition of the Ordnance Survey 25-inch to a mile map (Roxburghshire 1897, Sheet XIV.12), but neither the cave nor the path that led to it from the east is shown on the revised edition of the map (1921, Sheet nXIII.10).

Visited by HES Survey and Recording (GLB, LAD, PJD) 14 Feb 2017.