Carter Bar

Coordinates: 55°21′14″N 2°28′41″W / 55.354°N 2.478°W / 55.354; -2.478

Carter Bar is a point on the England–Scotland border, in Roxburghshire and Northumberland.

Carter Bar is where the A68 road crosses the border and forms a pass located at the top of Redesdale in the Cheviot Hills at an elevation of 418 metres (1,371 ft).

The nearest Scottish towns are Jedburgh (12 miles (19 km) north), Hawick, and Kelso, and on the English side, Byrness, Redesdale and Otterburn. From Carter Bar, Newcastle upon Tyne is 45 miles (72 km) away and the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, 58 miles (93 km). The A696–A68 route is a popular scenic tourist route between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

History

In 1575 Carter Bar was the scene of the Raid of the Redeswire, one of the last large-scale battles between the English and the Scots.

Carter Bar was the location of Truce days, that were held between the Lord Wardens of the Marches of both countries to dispense cross border justice in the Late Middle Ages and Early modern period. Truce days were also held at Carlisle and Berwick upon Tweed.