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My river map is not entirely accurate as some minor roads are not shown.
for anybody considering a trip to the Lune I suggest buying an Ordnance
Survey map.
Malham Tarn.
The tarn is the source of the River Aire. It is unusual to have a tarn in limestone
country but it is there due to a patch of slate which is impervious to water.
The tarn and Malham Tarn House are owned by the National Trust. The house itself
is used as a field study centre and is concerned with the flora and fauna of the area.
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Outflow from Malham Tarn. (source of the River Aire).
After a short stretch the river disappears underground at the Water Sinks.
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The Water Sinks where the Aire goes underground.
The Aire reappears as a small spring about half a mile south of Malham Village.
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Malham Village.
A popular tourist village with a large car park and a National Parks Information Centre
(which was closed for renovation last time I was there). Plenty of pubs and cafes.
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Malham Cove.
At one time the Aire did not disappear under ground at the Water Sinks but travelled
on the surface to appear as a waterfall at the cove. It has been said that the waterfall
existed relatively recently (late 18C) but this can not be confirmed.
The cliff itself was created by the
Mid-Craven Fault a long long time ago.
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Aire Head.
The infant Aire reappears here after its 2 mile journey underground from the water sinks
above the village. Stangely two streams appear at this site only a few yards apart and I have
photographed both of them. Some years ago the theory about the source of the River Aire
was tested by putting dye in at the Sinks.
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General information about Skipton.
A busy market town with a population of about 16000. The word Skipton translates
as 'sheep'.
Market rights were granted by King John in 1204. The High Street market is open four
days a week.
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Old Corn Mill.
I do not know what this building is now used for but I will find out.
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Skipton Castle.
This is one of the best preserved mediaeval castles in the country. It is what I
call a real castle and not like some which seem to me like grand country houses.
The first castle was built by Robert de Romille around 1090. This was badly damaged
by raiding scots and afterwards rebuilt in stone. What remains from this time is
the entrance and gatehouse.
A stronger castle was bult in the 14C by the first Lord Clifford.
George Clifford the 3rd Earl of Cumberland was champion to Queen Elizabeth I and
one of her admirals against the Spanish Armada.
During the 15c Wars of the Roses the 8th Lord Clifford and his son were on the side
of the Lancastrians (Skipton is in Yorkshire!). Both father and son were killed
during the conflicts and the estate was confiscated by the Yorkists. After the battle
of Bosworth the castle was restored to the Clifford family.
During the Civil War the castle was a royalist stronghold and subjected to a 3 year
siege. The garrison surrendered in December 1645 and allowed to march out with
colours flying and trumpets sounding. Cromwell ordered the removal of the castle roofs,
but Lady Anne Clifford was allowed to replace them with the proviso that they were weak
enough to be damaged by cannon.
The norman french motto DESORMAIS over the entrance translates as 'henceforth'.
Arms of john Clifford 9th Lord of Skipton (nicknamed 'The Butcher') over the door
of the conduit court.
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Holy Trinity Church.
The first church, probably of wood, was built in the 12C.
Part of the present church dates from the beginning of the 14C and extended in the 15C.
The tower was damaged during the Civil War but was repaired by Lady Anne Clifford in the mid
17C. There was more damage to the tower in 1853 due to a lightening strike and this
was repaired soon after.
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Leeds - Liverpool Canal.
The pictures are of a local spur of the main canal which is a little further south.
Due to shortage of cash it was not until 1780 that the section Liverpool to Wigan
was completed.
In 1790 there was another Act of Parliament to raise more funds but there were further
setbacks due to the Napoleonic Wars. The canal was finally completed in 1816 (46 years
after the the first Act).
The builders did face problems as they had to cross the pennines. The highest point is
487 feet above sea level at the summit of Foulridge (between Skipton and Burnley). There
are 21 locks from the Lancashire plain to the Pennines. On the other side of the Pennines
there are the well known five rise locks at Bingley.
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Skipton High Street.
There is a busy open air market here 4 days a week.
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Craven Court.
A new development which was opened by Prince Charles in 1980. I hope he approved
of the architecture.
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Bingley.
The November 2000 floods affected the the Aire more than the other Dales rivers although
all were very swollen. As all the rivers are tributaries of the Ouse the city of York was
very badly affected by floods.
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