Rare Old OS Map of Berwick & Haddington by Bartholomew, 1901: River Tweed, Lammermuir Hills, East Lothian, Scottish Borders

Step into the rich tapestry of early 20th-century cartography with "Sheet 9 - Berwick & Haddington," a masterful creation by the renowned Scottish cartographer JG Bartholomew. This map, crafted in 1901, is a testament to Bartholomew's unparalleled skill and innovative approach to mapping. Known for his detailed and aesthetically pleasing maps, Bartholomew's work was highly regarded by tourists and cyclists alike. This particular map stands out for its meticulous depiction of the political and physical landscape of Berwickshire and Haddingtonshire, regions steeped in history and natural beauty.

Bartholomew's innovative use of color gradation to represent landscape relief is a hallmark of this map. The subtle layers of color bands ingeniously illustrate the varying heights of the land, offering a visually engaging and informative representation of the terrain. This design not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also provides a clear and intuitive understanding of the region's topography. The map's scale, at half an inch to the mile, allows for a detailed yet comprehensive view, making it an invaluable resource for explorers of the time.

The map captures the essence of the regions it depicts, from the rolling hills of the Lammermuirs to the rugged coastline along the North Sea. Notable landmarks such as Bass Rock, St Abb's Head, and the ruins of Dunbar and Tantallon Castles are meticulously marked, offering a glimpse into the rich historical tapestry of the area. The River Tweed and its tributaries, along with other significant water bodies like the River Tyne and Whiteadder Water, weave through the landscape, highlighting the natural beauty and geographical significance of these waterways.

The detailed representation of infrastructure, including the extensive network of roads and railways, reflects the burgeoning development and connectivity of the early 1900s. These routes, vital for trade and travel, underscore the map's importance to cyclists and tourists of the era. The inclusion of various towns and settlements, from the bustling Berwick-upon-Tweed to the serene village of Gullane, paints a vivid picture of life in these regions over a century ago.

JG Bartholomew's "Sheet 9 - Berwick & Haddington" is more than just a map; it is a window into the past, capturing the historical and geographical essence of a bygone era. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of cartography, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of detailed craftsmanship, this map offers a fascinating journey through time and space. Its intricate details and historical significance make it a treasured piece for any collection, evoking the spirit of exploration and discovery that defined the early 20th century.

Cities and towns on this map

Berwickshire (modern-day Scottish Borders):

• Duns
• Eyemouth
• Coldstream
• Lauder
• Greenlaw
• Chirnside
• Earlston
• Ayton

Haddingtonshire (modern-day East Lothian):

• Haddington
• Dunbar
• North Berwick
• Tranent
• Musselburgh
• Prestonpans
• Cockenzie and Port Seton
• Gullane
• Aberlady

Northumberland:

• Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Wooler
• Belford
• Alnwick

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Lammermuir Hills: Prominent hilly area known for its scenic beauty.
• Bass Rock: An island in the Firth of Forth, known for its large seabird colonies.
• St Abb's Head: A notable headland with significant birdlife.
• Dunbar Castle: Ruins of a historic castle on the coast.
• Fast Castle: Ruins of a medieval castle on the Berwickshire coast.
• Tantallon Castle: A semi-ruined mid-14th-century fortress.
• River Tweed: A major river flowing through the region.
• River Tyne: Another significant river in the area.
• Whiteadder Water: A tributary of the River Tweed.
• North Sea: The map's eastern boundary is marked by the North Sea.
• Railways: Various railway lines crisscross the region, indicating the importance of rail transport at the time.
• Roads: A network of roads suitable for cycling and early motor vehicles.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Sheet 9 - Berwick & Haddington
• Scale: Half-inch to the mile (1:126,720)
• Creation Date: 1901
• Mapmaker/Publisher: JG Bartholomew
• Context about the mapmaker: JG Bartholomew was a prominent Scottish cartographer known for his innovative and detailed maps. His work was highly regarded for its accuracy and aesthetic quality.
• Purpose and Popularity:
• These maps were popular with cyclists and tourists.
• The half-inch maps became Bartholomew's flagship series.
• Design and Style:
• Utilizes different layers of color to represent landscape relief.
• Features a subtle and innovative gradation of color bands to show land at different heights.
• Based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period.
• Historical Significance:
• Reflects the geography and infrastructure of the early 20th century.
• Offers insights into historical travel and tourism patterns.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.