Watch Water facts for kids
The Watch Water is a river found in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It begins its journey in the Lammermuir Hills, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Longformacus. The river then flows generally eastward until it meets the Dye Water, close to Longformacus. The Dye Water eventually joins the Whiteadder Water, which is a branch of the larger River Tweed.
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Watch Water Reservoir: A Man-Made Lake
The Watch Water Reservoir is a large, man-made lake built on the Watch Water river. It is located about halfway along the river's path. This reservoir is around 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Longformacus and 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Duns.
Exploring Around the Reservoir
The reservoir covers an area of about 49 hectares (121 acres). It was created by building an earthen dam. Two famous walking paths pass near the reservoir. The Southern Upland Way, a long-distance trail that crosses southern Scotland, goes along the northern edge of the reservoir. The Sir Walter Scott Way, another path from Moffat to Cockburnspath, also passes by this area. You can also see the old ruins of a peel tower at Old Scarlaw Cottage, which is also on the northern side of the reservoir.
John Dippie's Well: A Sweet Secret
Near where the Southern Upland Way crosses the Watch Water, you will find a special place called John Dippie's Well. This is a natural spring, and it's marked by a carved stone placed there in 1869. The stone has a famous saying carved into it: "There is no water in the Lammermuirs sweeter than that at John Dippie’s Well."
The Mystery of the Sweet Water
People have always wondered why the water from John Dippie's Well was so sweet. There are old stories about the well's keeper, John Dippie, and how he might have made the water taste extra good. Close by, you can also see the remains of an old farmstead from the 1700s, which was traditionally where the well's keeper lived.
