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THE SHORES OF SOLWAY
(S8x32)
Roy Goldring 10 Social Dances
1- 8
1s dance in & cast to 3
rd
place, 2s repeat
9-16
3s+1s+2s dance the Knot, 1s end facing 1
st
corners
17-24
1s set to 1
st
corners & dance by the right round each other to face
2
nd
corners, 1s set to 2
nd
corners & dance round each other to
2
nd
place own sides
25-32
2s+1s+3s circle 6H round & back
The Solway Firth is a firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria
(including the Solway Plain) and Dumfries and Galloway. It stretches from St Bees Head, in Cumbria, to the Mull
of Galloway. The firth comprises part of the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man is also very near to the firth.
The coastline is characterised by lowland hills and small mountains. It is a mainly rural area with fishing and hill
farming (as well as some arable farming) still playing a large part in the local economy, although tourism is
increasing. It has also been used for the location of films such as The Wicker Man (starring Edward Woodward),
which was filmed around Kirkcudbright. The Solway Coast was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
in 1964. Construction of Robin Rigg Wind Farm began in the firth in 2007.
The name 'Solway' is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and originates in the 13
th
C as the name of a ford across the mud flats
at Eskmouth. Sol is the word for mud, and wæth refers to a ford. The three fords in the area at that time were
the Annan or Bowness Wath, the Dornock Wath (once called the Sandywathe), and the main one was the
Solewath or Sulewad.
Between 1869 and 1921, the estuary was crossed by the Solway Junction Railway on a 1780 m (5850 ft) iron
viaduct. The line was built to carry iron ore from the Whitehaven area to Lanarkshire and was financed and
operated by the Caledonian Railway of Scotland. The railway was not a financial success. After the railway
ceased operating, the bridge provided a popular footpath for residents of Scotland (which was dry on a Sunday)
to travel to England, where alcoholic drink was available, until the viaduct was demolished between 1931 and
1933!
Solway Shores Written by Denise Taylor
Here.
No dramatic peaks to steal your breath.
No mirrored lochs to lure you to their shores.
No great royal stags parade with twelve point tines.
You'll find no shaggy, big horned highland beasts.
Not here.
Here.
No city glamour beckons folk from far.
No mighty castles call the tourist trade.
No plaid or pipers paid from nine til five.
Though trains pass through, there is no station now.
Not here.
Here.
No golden eagle swings from eerie heights.
No savage seas crash wild on rocky cliffs.
No lighthouse stands spectacularly alone.
You wouldn't plan a lengthy stay.
Not here.
But here,
the sea sighs softly to the muddy merse,
while tides slide in and out without a care,
and oystercatchers whistle in the wind,
that haunting call that echoes in your dreams.
All here.
And here,
Galloways graze in rolling fields of green,
and ribboned roads all lined with yellow gorse
may tempt you from your pre-planned route to find
that dappled paths unwind through whispering woods.
Just here.
And here.
the lingering light caresses as she dies.
The skies will weave their silk into your heart.
The air will soak into your skin and stain.
And when you leave you'll hunger for this place.
Right here.
