Even older volcanoes – Cheviot and St Abb’s
These were not the first volcanoes in the region. Some 50 million years earlier volcanoes were active around St Abb’s Head, and the lavas, ash and agglomerate from these form the spectacular cliffs around the lighthouse and nature reserve.
Further south a massive pile of lavas erupted along the border and now form the Cheviot Hills, including White Law, The Schill, Auchope Cairn and King’s Seat. The Cheviot itself is actually part of a large granite mass that pushed up into the lavas; the granite hills can be recognised by the torr scenery. A mainly concealed granite under the Lammermuirs reaches the surface near the ‘Whiteadder’ Reservoir and at Cockburn Law.