Otterburn, Northumberland Otterburn, Northumberland Otterburn is a small village in Northumberland, England, northwest of Newcastle upon Tyne on the banks of the River Rede, near the confluence of the Otter Burn, from which the village derives its name. It lies within the Cheviot Hills about from the Scottish border. The parish of Otterburn is at the heart of Redesdale, a Northumbrian upland valley. The name simply means otter stream, a stream frequented by otters (Old English "otor" + "brunna"). Otterburn was the site of a major battle in 1388 between English and Scottish armies. The engagement, in which the Scots took Sir
Kelso, Scottish Borders and other antique relics'. The town's rugby union club (Kelso RFC) are highly respected, and their annual rugby sevens tournament takes place in early May. Famous former players include John Jeffrey, Roger Baird, Andrew Ker and Adam Roxburgh, all of whom featured in 7s teams that dominated the Borders circuit in the 1980s, including several wins in the blue ribbon event at Melrose. Kelso RFC also hold an annual rugby fixture; this fixture is the oldest unbroken fixture between a Scottish and Welsh side; the opposition is famous for being the birthplace of the film actor Richard Burton and vocalist