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Welcome
to Craikhope Outdoor Centre
Craikhope
Outdoor Centre is situated in an open location on the edge of Craik Forest the surrounding area is
remote, picturesque and unspoilt. The Centre is approximately 3 miles from
the village
of Craik and 15 miles
from Hawick which is one of the main towns in the Border Area.
As a
major project by young people in Hawick involved in the Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme the original Craikhope Cottage was completely renovated to a high
standard. The work was carried out in the main by voluntary labour and
donations.
To
acknowledge the project the efforts put in, a visit was made to the
building by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on the 19th May 1976. In
mid 1979 the Centre was extensively damaged by fire. The devastation was
such that only the four outer walls of the building were left intact.
Fortunately the old building had been well insured and this gave the unique
opportunity to plan, design and build a new purpose built outdoor centre.
The new centre was opened by Chay Blyth CBE BEM navigator of the
world’s oceans, on the 12th June 1983. Today Craikhope Outdoor Centre
is without doubt one of the finest centres in the United Kingdom.
Surrounding
the Centre are seven acres of land which are currently being managed as a
small nature reserve. A small pond has been created by damming the burn,
which lies quite near the centre. The Craikhope area is suitable for a wide
range of outdoor activities including field studies, expeditions,
orienteering etc. The surrounding forest also offers a number of marked
mountain bike routes of varying length and difficulty. The Craikhope
Outdoor Centre offers youth groups the ultimate in outdoor activities and
accommodation.
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