Carter Bar

Carter Bar is the point where the A68 crosses the border between Northumberland in England and Roxburghshire in Scotland, 418m above sea level, marked by a large stone in the side of the road.

Location

The crossing is the only one for quite some distance because of the mountainous landscape in this part of the Scottish Borders region, and the Northumberland National Park. The nearest main crossings to the east and west are the A697 at Coldstream Bridge and the A7 near Canonbie respectively.

Just to the north, the A6088 leaves the A68 bound for Hawick. The old course of the road to the south is still visible, slightly to the east of the present route. The A696 diverges from the A68 around 15 miles south of the crossing.

The A68 is a trunk road within Scotland south of the A720, but this ends at Carter Bar because the road on the English side was detrunked as part of the "New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" in 2001.

History

The first major road in this area was the Roman Dere Street, which ran five miles to the east to the east on its way from Corbridge to Edinburgh, though the A68 runs on its alignment south of Carter Bar. In 1575, the Raid of the Redeswire was held at Carter Bar, and became one of the last major battles between the English and the Scots. The current route was upgraded as a turnpike road in the early 19th century.

Tourism

Today, Carter Bar is regarded as the most scenic of the major roads crossing the English-Scottish border. The large signs and marker stones are a popular place for people to have their photograph taken. Sometimes, tourists can hear the sound of bagpipes at the crossing. A layby alongside the border usually accommodates hot snacks and ice cream.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A68	Jedburgh
A68	Corbridge, Newcastle (A696)
A6088	Chesters 5, Bonchester Bridge 8,Hawick 15

Links

• Borders Cam - Carter Bar