Set 600 feet above sea level and bounded on three sides by the Lammermuir Hills lies Lauder, the main town in Lauderdale, the valley of the Leader Water. The A68 through the town follows the oldest established route between Edinburgh and England, and has witnessed the passing of many armies. Today the Southern Upland Way, Britains first coast to coast footpath passes through Lauder on it's 212 mile journey. The town preserves it's original medieval form with a single main street widening into the Market Place, dominated by the old Tolbooth. The Parish Church is laid out unusually in the form of a Greek Cross with the pulpit in the centre under the octagonal bell tower, and the old box pews retained. Thirlestane Castle is noted for it's plasterwork ceilings of the Restoration period, it's historic toy collection and Border country life exhibitions. The Castle is also host to the Scottish Championship Horse Trials held in August each year. To the north is the village of Oxton, whilst 6 miles south is Earlston and the ruined Rhymer's Tower, once the home of Thomas the Rhymer, the 13th century poet famed for his gift of prophecy. Close by on Legerwood Farm, a way-marked trail gives an imformative view of a commercial borders farm.