Liddel Strength / Nicholforest
The Carwinley Burn cascades through a ravine into the River Esk and marks the ancient boundary between Arthuret and the neighbouring parish of Nicholforest. At the western edge of Nichforest, the Rivver Liddel marks the border between England and ScotlandThe confluence of the rivers Esk and Liddel marks the line of the English/Scottish Border.
High on wooded cliffs that overlook the river stands the mysterious fortress of Liddel Strength or the Moat of Liddel - a place with a bloody history.
This 12th century Mote and Bailey castle was stormed by the army of King David II of Scotland in 1346 and its garrison massacred.
Scholars now believe that much of this massive earthwork is considerably older than the 12th century and claim that it was once the stronghold of Gwenddoleu, the great Dark Age warlord who with his brothers perished at the Battle of Ardderyd in AD573.
According to the Annals of Wales, Gwenddoleu's Bard or Chief Adviser was none other than Merlin or Myrddin in Welsh.