The undulating geography of south-east Scotland means that, in the past as now, routeways wove their way through the hills, following the curves of the landscape.   

Perhaps the best known of the old routeways within our project area is the Herring Road, a traditional route across the Lammermuirs. It stretches for almost 30 miles and traces the route by which cured herring was transported inland from Dunbar to Lauder during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Herring was traditionally transported on foot by hardy fishwives carrying heavy creels; later, the use of pack-horses is recorded. The route was also used by drovers moving cattle, and by packmen (travelling salesmen). The exact route of the Herring Road south of Dunbar Common is a matter of some debate, although this may reflect changes to the route over time depending on ground conditions. Parts of the Herring Road are accessible today as rights of way, and many feet tramp along the same track, tracing the footsteps of those who came before with their heavy loads.  

Rough track across open landscape, with two houses to the right of the track and heather-covered hills in the distance
Looking north along the Herring Road, toward Penshiel and Spartleton © Richard Webb (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Sheep on a winding rough track that runs along a narrow valley
Sheep on the Herring Road near Earnscleugh © Walter Baxter (cc-by-sa/2.0)
A group of six women dressed in traditional fishwives' clothing with long aprons. Fish are laid out on the ground in front of them, some in a basket. Two of the women carry creels on their backs. Image dates to September 1910.
A group of Cockenzie fishwives, September 1910. © East Lothian Council Archive Service

Medieval roads often followed parish boundaries. One possible example can be found between Lauder and Haddington, bypassing Lammer Law to its east side. It was used to transport wool north from Lauder, and to carry grain south from East Lothian, as well as being used as a drove route, for moving herds of cattle over long distances to market. 

Map excerpt showing the route of a possible medieval road on the OS six inch map, published 1900
Excerpt from the OS six-inch map (1900) showing a possible medieval route running to the east of Lammer Law (marked in brown - our addition). Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

A 4km stretch of track known as the Thief’s Road is found around 5km east of Abbey St Bathans.  There are no specifics known about how the route got its name although Thief’s Roads are usually so called because they were used by cattle theives, or Reivers. It is thought that this route may have been used for covert travel since it climbs Horseley Hill rather than taking the flatter and route followed by the road today.   

Map excerpt showing a track marked as the Thief's Road, running along the northern edge of a patch of forestry called Blackhouse Dean Plantation
Excerpt from the OS six-inch map (1899) showing the Thief's Road. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Most enigmatic of all is the Crachoctrestrete, a possible Roman Road running from Ecclaw to meet the line of the current A6112 to the west of Grantshouse. The etymology of the name is not clear although it may be linked to an oak tree popular with crows.  

Excerpt from the OS six inch map (1896) showing the route of a possible Roman road near Cockburnspath
Excerpt from the OS six inch map (1896) showing the route of a possible Roman road (marked in brown - our addition). Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.