Talla Reservoir

Talla Reservoir lies in the hills above Tweedsmuir in the Scottish Borders, fed by Talla Water and backed up by water from Fruid Reservoir. The earth dam was completed in 1905 after engineers from the Edinburgh and District Water Trust chose the site in the late 19th century. Land for the project was bought from the Earl of Wemyss and March Estates for £20,000. Construction began with a stone-laying ceremony at Victoria Lodge in 1897. Over 100,000 tons of materials were moved to the site, mostly by a ropeway called a Blondin. The workforce included many Irish labourers who lived in temporary camps around Tweedsmuir. At least thirty men died during the work and are buried in Tweedsmuir churchyard. Materials came from quarries at North Queensferry and Craigleith, pipes from central Scotland, and puddle clay from Carluke. James Young & Sons carried out the building while Victoria Lodge served as headquarters for the Trustees of the Edinburgh Water Company. The completed reservoir was opened by Lady Cranston in September 1905. Today the reservoir is surrounded by quiet hills and moorland. Victoria Lodge, a category B listed house in Scots Renaissance style, overlooks the water from its private grounds. A path runs along the dam, offering views of the reservoir and the surrounding landscape. The site remains an important part of Edinburgh’s water supply while providing a peaceful place for walks. The railway built to carry materials is gone, but the reservoir stands as a lasting piece of engineering from the early 20th century.