The parish of Biddlestone rolls down from the high ground of Wether Cairn, Puncherton Hill and Bleak Law to the relative lowlands just beyond the southern boundary of the Northumberland National Park. Whilst these are not particularly big hills the steep slopes, which climb up from the numerous hill-dissecting sikes, burns and cleughs, can be as testing as many of their higher neighbours. This is an area rich in the remains of former habitations, where panoramas open up as every crest is reached. This walk, reasonably short in distance, contains all the elements necessary for a perfect day in the hills. You will wander along the banks of the River Alwin heading for a switchback round of Clennell Hill, Silverton Hill, Loundon Hill, Cold Law, Bleak Law, Gills Law and Rookland Hill. You will end the day back beside the river as it rushes to a meeting with the River Coquet. So pack your sandwiches, you may wish to `tarry a while`.

2. Ignore the road which turns into the hall and continue with the river, passing first a small footbridge on your left, before crossing over a cattle grid. The road now becomes a red gravel track as you leave behind the shelter of the riverside trees and continue along the flat valley floor. Immediately after the end of the dry stone wall (NT 927073), leave the main track to your right, head through the large metal gate and climb the obvious green track which rises uphill in a northerly direction. Keep walking straight ahead until you reach a post and wire fence where you will need to turn left through a five bar gate. Once beyond the plantation on your right you will very quickly reach the remains of Camp Knowe, lying at the end of a high spur of Clennell Hill. Standing in a prominent position, overlooking the valley of the River Alwin, this defensive Iron Age hill fort (800BC-AD43) measures 96 metres by 80 metres. It is enclosed by a large rampart of earth and stone and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. After a short, sharp descent from the hill fort, continue upwards along the edge of the rock strewn slopes, enjoying the superb views down to the valley below as you go, before eventually turning eastwards to reach the 322 metre high summit of Clennell Hill. To the immediate north stands Rookland Hill, your final top of the day. But first, a few other hills to climb. So, heading eastwards across the top of the hill, descend slightly to cross the bridleway which leads to Old Rookland and, after passing through a small gate (NT 934082), climb straight up the rounded slopes of the 385 metre high Silverton Hill. Once at the top, pause a while to soak up the views southwards over the Vale of Whittingham. Take note of the brooding backcloth of the Simonside Hills.

4. Like Clennell, Biddlestone was one of the `Ten Towns of Coquetdale` and is virtually drowning in history. Built in 1796 and altered in 1820 by renowned north east architect John Dobson, the impressive Biddlestone Hall dominated the hamlet for over 160 years. Home to the Selby family until the early part of the 20^th century, the hall was used as a convalescence home during the Second World War before finally being demolished in the late 1950`s. It is said to have been used as the `model` for Osbaldistone Hall in Sir Walter Scott`s  novel, `Rob Roy`. Continue to climb in a generally northerly direction and eventually aim for the tumbledown drystone wall and adjoining post and wire fence. When a gate in the fence is reached pass through and continue straight ahead, away from the fence, to reach the 399 metre high summit. Once at the top you will have earned a breather, so enjoy the extensive views in all directions. Just under ½ mile to the south east is Harden Quarry the only major site of mineral extraction in the Cheviot Hills. This is the place where the red felsite, used in the construction of the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in London, was extracted. Could this have been the original  Northumbrian `red carpet`?

6. Now climb uphill, past the sheep stell, and head diagonally to your left towards the post and wire fence (NT 942099). Cross the fence, via the step stile, and immediately strike out straight ahead, in a southerly direction, to join a green track which leads you to the tufted flat top of Gills Law. At 412 metres this is the highest point of the walk and from here you can see the hill farm of  Puncherton, surrounded by lush green manicured fields.  It is a remote and peaceful place. Leave the top by heading south westerly as far as the post and wire fence. Here, turn left for a few hundred metres and then pass through the two adjoining gates (NT 943091). Continue in a south westerly direction, keeping to the highest ground, and within ¾ mile the ruins of Old Rookland can be seen, standing a little to your left beside three trees. This farm was once the home of John Dagg, who left here together with his family of 4 children in May 1939 for a life at the remote cottage of Dunsdale in the Lambden Valley. In December 1944, John, his dog Sheila and a fellow shepherd rescued four crew members of a bomb laden U.S. Army Air Force B17 Flying Fortress aircraft which had crashed into Braydon Crag on the summit plateau of The Cheviot.  As a result of their actions the shepherds both received the British Empire Medal and border collie Sheila, for her part, received the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. The derelict farm is now a sad and lonely place.