Walking tours in the South of Scotland

A701/Raehills to Lochmaben or Lockerbie

Walking Route -

Hard

This is one of five sections of the Annandale Way. From the A701 one mile north of St Ann’s (OS Map 322 GR072, 953) head up through Hazelbank Plantation, down to Blackburn Cottage and over the fields past Greenbeck and Heathfield farms and over a small timber bridge ('Roger's Leap').

10.5mi

17km

1,017ft

310m

623ft

190m

Towns along route: Lochmaben

Abbey St Bathans and Ellemford Bridge

Walking Route -

Hard

Starting in Abbey St Bathans Riverside car park this circular route follows close to the Whiteadder Water through this pretty area north of Duns.

7mi

11km

1,148ft

350m

1,148ft

350m

Towns along route: Abbey St Bathans, Ellemford, Duns

Abbotsford and River Tweed

Walking Route -

Moderate

An easy circular following old railway lines paths, tracks and the banks of the River Tweed. Abbotsford was the home of Sir Walter Scott.

6.5mi

10.5km

623ft

190m

623ft

190m

Towns along route: Melrose

Abbotsford Grounds

Walking Route -

Easy

A pleasant circular route around Abbotsford’s grounds, home of Sir Walter Scott. His estate is one of the most significant designed landscapes in Scotland, laid out between 1811 and 1825.

1.5mi

2km

262ft

80m

262ft

80m

Across the Border

Walking Route -

Hard

This long circular explores the area south-east of Newcastleton passing Mangerton Tower (former tower house of the Armstrongs), following the Anglo-Scots Border and along the banks of Kershope Burn and then Muckle Thwarter Gill.

11.5mi

18.5km

1,246ft

380m

1,246ft

380m

Towns along route: Newcastleton

Aldouran Glen Leswalt

Walking Route -

Easy

Circular woodland and countryside walk. 3km/2 miles long, taking around 1 hour to complete. Beaten earth, hard surface path and track, minor road, roadside pavement and steps.

2mi

3.5km

230ft

70m

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Leswalt

Allanton Circular

Walking Route -

Easy

A pleasant circular from the small settlement of Allanton by woodland and farmland. Allanton lies south-east of Chirnside on the Whiteadder Water.

2mi

3km

66ft

20m

66ft

20m

Towns along route: Allanton, Chirnside

Around Cademuir Forest and Forts

Walking Route -

Easy

Starting on the John Buchan Way as it heads out of Peebles you will take a short circular through Cademuir Forest with the option of adding on Cademuir Hill’s ridge and an exploration of her forts.

5.5mi

9km

951ft

290m

951ft

290m

Around Minch Moor and Plora Craig

Walking Route -

Hard

A big forest walk exploring Elibank and Traquair Forest following part of the Southern Upland Way; look out for the Cheese Well so you can leave an offering for the fairies!

10mi

16km

2,066ft

630m

2,066ft

630m

Towns along route: Walkerburn, Innerleithen

Ayton and Eyemouth

Walking Route -

Challenge

An interesting circular including a section of the Berwickshire Coastal Path and an Old Post Road that leads you to the attractive settlement of Ayton.

14.5mi

23.5km

1,148ft

350m

1,148ft

350m

Towns along route: Eyemouth, Ayton

Balcary to Rascarrel

Walking Route -

Easy

Circular coastal clifftop, farmland and forest walk. 2.5km/1½ miles to 7.5km/5miles. Allow 1 to 4 hours depending on route.

5mi

8km

623ft

190m

623ft

190m

Bargrennan to St John’s Town of Dalry

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. If you have stayed the night in the campsite or in Glentrool it is well worth retracing your steps to do the riverside section along the Water of Minnoch.

25mi

40.5km

3,083ft

940m

2,985ft

910m

Towns along route: Bargrennan, St. Johns Town of Dalry

Barhill Wood

Walking Route -

Easy

Circular forest walk. 3.5km/2miles. Allow 1 hour. Roadside pavement, beaten earth and hard surface paths.

2mi

3.5km

361ft

110m

361ft

110m

Beattock to St Mary’s Loch

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. At Beattock the route safely crosses under the M74 motorway and out into farmland.

22.5mi

36.5km

3,739ft

1,140m

3,313ft

1,010m

Towns along route: Beattock

Berwickshire Coastal Path

Walking Route -

Challenge

With the second highest cliffs on the east coast of Britain the borders has one of the most spectacular coastlines in Britain.

24.5mi

39.5km

4,198ft

1,280m

4,264ft

1,300m

Towns along route: Cockburnspath, Cove, St Abbs, Coldingham, Eyemouth, Burnmouth, Berwick Upon Tweed

Bier Law Circular

Walking Route -

Hard

This circular is easier than its length suggests because it follows forestry tracks and has super views over the Tweed Valley hills.

8mi

12.5km

1,345ft

410m

1,345ft

410m

Towns along route: Walkerburn, Innerleithen

Birgham Haugh

Walking Route -

Moderate

A short circular by Birgham village over farmland and by woodland and river. Birgham is probably a corruption of the phrase ‘bridge ham’ indicating that this is where people crossed the River Tweed.

2mi

3.5km

98ft

30m

98ft

30m

Towns along route: Birgham

Black Hill and Burnhouses

Walking Route -

Challenge

This is a long route that requires the user to have experience of reading maps. You may shorten the route by cutting through Burnhouses Dean and horses may take an alternative route at Birkenside Dean.

13mi

21km

1,771ft

540m

1,771ft

540m

Towns along route: Abbey St Bathans, Ellemford, Duns

Blackburn Falls

Walking Route -

Hard

A linear route (the distance given includes your return) going out to visit the waterfalls in the slopes to the west of the village.

7mi

11.5km

1,509ft

460m

1,509ft

460m

Towns along route: Newcastleton

Bonchester Bridge and Hill

Walking Route -

Moderate

Explore the area south of Bonchester Bridge on this circular route with an option to omit the climb up Bonchester Hill.

5mi

8km

951ft

290m

951ft

290m

Towns along route: Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk

Borders Abbeys Way

Walking Route -

Hard

The Borders Abbeys Way links the four great ruined abbeys in the Borders’ region – Dryburgh, Jedburgh, Kelso and Melrose.

10.5mi

17km

1,378ft

420m

1,607ft

490m

Towns along route: Melrose, Kelso, Hawick, Galashiels

Bowden Circular

Walking Route -

Hard

A reasonable long circular that passes round the Eildons rather than including steep climbs; there are great views on much of this route.

7.5mi

12km

1,312ft

400m

1,312ft

400m

Towns along route: Melrose, Newtown St Boswells

Bowhill’s Duchess’ Drive

Walking Route -

Hard

This circular through forest and hill within Bowhill’s lands is a most popular route due to its good terrain and great views; car parking charges apply.

7mi

11.5km

1,378ft

420m

1,378ft

420m

Towns along route: Galashiels, Yarrowford

Bowmont Forest

Walking Route -

Easy

A short circular in this forest that enjoys stunning views at several points. The route we have suggested here follows the green arrows, Roxburghe Estates have also marked two other routes for you to follow.

2.5mi

4km

230ft

70m

230ft

70m

Brownmoor Wood

Walking Route -

Moderate

This walk has a village start and contains a woodland loop. It is 7.5km/4½ miles, and takes around1½ hours to complete.

4.5mi

7km

492ft

150m

492ft

150m

Buckholm Circular

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular route with great views over the Gala Water valley crossing farmland, country roads and forests.

6mi

9.5km

754ft

230m

754ft

230m

Burnmouth Circular and Chester Hill Fort

Walking Route -

Easy

Partly following the Berwickshire Coastal Path go and explore this fantastic section of the Berwickshire Coastline and Chester Hill Fort.

4.5mi

7.5km

820ft

250m

787ft

240m

Towns along route: Burnmouth

Burns Town Trail

Walking Route -

Easy

A pleasant walk around Dumfries town centre, passing by iconic Burns related locations. The trail starts on the banks of the River Nith and corsses the water via two historic Bridges, before heading into the Bustling Town Centre.

2.5mi

3.5km

131ft

40m

131ft

40m

Buxton – Greenhead – Lindean

Walking Route -

Moderate

An enjoyable circular exploring the north-east area of the town following old tracks with great views of Selkirk Town.

5mi

8km

886ft

270m

886ft

270m

Byreburn Forest

Walking Route -

Easy

Circular woodland and quiet road walk. 3.5km/2 miles. Allow 1 hour to complete. Pavement, hard surfaced track, beaten earth path and minor road.

5.5mi

9km

492ft

150m

492ft

150m

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