Walking tours in the South of Scotland - Page 7 of 8

St Helen’s Church and Hutton’s Unconformity at Siccar Point

Walking Route -

Easy

A linear route out to the stunning view point above Siccar Point. The scramble down to the rock formations is difficult and hazardous; check tide times if you are tempted.

1.5mi

3km

328ft

100m

328ft

100m

St John’s Town of Dalry to Sanquhar

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. The start of the section goes through farmland, getting higher and wilder as you pass around Ardoch Hill and start climbing Culmark Hill.

26.5mi

42.5km

3,575ft

1,090m

3,411ft

1,040m

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

St Mary’s Loch to Traquair

Walking Route -

Hard

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. After passing sculptures, a historic tower and remote moorland you will end up at a small village with a country house.

10mi

16km

1,378ft

420m

1,640ft

500m

Towns along route: Traquair

St Ninian’s Cave to Isle of Whithorn

Walking Route -

Easy

This walk finishes at the end destination of the long distance Whithorn Way route, however it has some variations to the route.

5mi

8km

131ft

40m

262ft

80m

St Ronan’s Woodland

Walking Route -

Moderate

Although this is a short circular there are climbs in the wood but these are well worth it for the views.

1.5mi

2.5km

459ft

140m

459ft

140m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

A short circular through the Swinnie Plantation offering a safer environment for dog walking. You will pass through Swinnie Woods which is one of the smallest woodlands managed by Forestry Commission Scotland in the Scottish Borders.

4mi

6.5km

492ft

150m

492ft

150m

Target Burn & Whita Hill

Walking Route -

Moderate

Terrain inlcudes roads, tracks and open hill. Some parts can be muddy so boots are advised. Leave the Kilngreen car park at the north end and and immediately turn left over the Saw Mill Bridge (over the Ewes Water).

4.5mi

7km

1,115ft

340m

1,115ft

340m

The Barony Loops

Walking Route -

Easy

Two short loops exploring the countryside west of Eddleston along farmland and woodland tracks with a chance to visit the Polish Map of Scotland; a relief map in the grounds of Barony Castle created as a memorial to the Scottish people for their hospitality to Polish soldiers during WWII.

2.5mi

4.5km

394ft

120m

394ft

120m

Towns along route: Eddleston

The Cloich Loop

Walking Route -

Moderate

A relatively easy 8 mile circular due to the terrain consisting mainly of forestry tracks, farm tracks and country roads; great views out to the Moorfoot Hills.

8.5mi

14km

1,115ft

340m

1,115ft

340m

Towns along route: Eddleston

The Crow Green, Lennel Haugh

Walking Route -

Easy

An interesting circular through the historic town of Coldstream and by the River tweed. When Coldstream was built up in the early 18th century there was no bridge over the River Tweed to England.

3.5mi

5.5km

394ft

120m

394ft

120m

Towns along route: Coldstream

The Glen and Birkscairn Hill

Walking Route -

Hard

Once you have left the attractive cottages and houses in The Glen this route is essentially a hill walk and you will need your ordnance survey map or equivalent.

12mi

19km

2,001ft

610m

2,001ft

610m

Towns along route: Traquair

The Hanging Tree

Walking Route -

Moderate

A short circular in Newcastleton Forest following an old drove road and passing by The Hanging Tree.

2.5mi

4km

558ft

170m

558ft

170m

The Lees Riverside

Walking Route -

Easy

A short circular by The Lees woodland and the River Tweed. The Lees Estate includes a ‘temple’ building created as part of its designed landscape in the late 18th century when follies were fashionable additions to create elegant views and romantic scenes.

1.5mi

2.5km

230ft

70m

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Coldstream

The Loanings, Chirnside

Walking Route -

Easy

An easy route around The Loanings (old lanes) that lead from the fields into the settlement. The Loanings are a network of paths and tracks to the north of Chirnside that offer a panoramic view of the Lammermuirs and the surrounding countryside on a clear day.

3mi

5km

131ft

40m

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Chirnside

The Minto Hills

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular route passing through the Minto Hills with the option of ascending to their summits; also passes through the settlement of Minto.

5.5mi

9km

689ft

210m

689ft

210m

Towns along route: Denholm, Minto

The National Trust for Scotland’s St Abbs Head Nature Reserve

Walking Route -

Easy

An excellent route for birdwatching or just taking in the stunning coastline on the Berwickshire coast. This National Trust for Scotland Nature Reserve at St Abbs is arguably the most spectacular section of the Berwickshire coastline.

3.5mi

5.5km

689ft

210m

689ft

210m

Towns along route: St Abbs

The Sware Circuit

Walking Route -

Easy

This circular route follows the River Tweed before going over the lower Manor Bridges and passes the viewpoints on The Sware road.

4mi

6.5km

558ft

170m

558ft

170m

The Teviot, Wilton Lodge Park and Violet Woods

Walking Route -

Easy

The elegant Wilton Lodge Park is well worth exploring with its gardens, mature trees and monuments. There is also a museum with temporary and permanent exhibitions.

2.5mi

4km

328ft

100m

328ft

100m

Towns along route: Hawick

The Three Brethren

Walking Route -

Moderate

One of Scottish Borders’ iconic hills (465m), topped with three impressive cairns demarking the meeting of three estates – Buccleuch Estate, Yair Estate and Selkirk Burgh.

6.5mi

10.5km

1,607ft

490m

1,607ft

490m

Towns along route: Galashiels

The Toll house Circular

Walking Route -

Easy

This is a pleasant short circular route crossing the Leithen Water and the River Tweed over the Haughhead Viaduct part of the infrastructure of the old railway line.

3mi

5km

197ft

60m

197ft

60m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

The Tweed Walk to Lyne

Walking Route -

Moderate

A good circular that mainly follows the banks of the River Tweed and passes Neidpath Castle and Barns Tower, part of the Benson and Wemyss Estate.

7.5mi

12km

787ft

240m

787ft

240m

The Two Bridges

Walking Route -

Easy

Rennie’s Bridge, that you go over, was designed by John Rennie, a smaller version of Waterloo Bridge in London.

2.5mi

4km

197ft

60m

197ft

60m

Towns along route: Kelso

Tibbie Tamson’s Grave

Walking Route -

Moderate

A most attractive and emotive circular up to Tibbie’s grave (buried by the people of Selkirk in 1790, possibly a suicide) through woodland and farmland.

4mi

6.5km

853ft

260m

853ft

260m

Towns along route: Galashiels

Torwoodlee Circular

Walking Route -

Moderate

This route mainly follows old farm tracks and country roads. Although the suggested start is from Clovenfords you may wish to start from the drive to Torwoodlee House taking a visit to Torwoodlee Tower.

5.5mi

8.5km

623ft

190m

623ft

190m

Towns along route: Clovenfords

Traquair and Damhead

Walking Route -

Hard

A great circular with two distinct landscapes – forestry and farmland. There is a reasonable amount of climb through the forest and take care through the farmland as the hills and fields are stocked.

7mi

11.5km

1,312ft

400m

1,312ft

400m

Towns along route: Traquair

Traquair to Melrose

Walking Route -

Hard

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. The two halves of this section have very different landscapes.

17.5mi

28.5km

2,952ft

900m

3,214ft

980m

Towns along route: Traquair, Melrose

Tree Trail at Duns Public Park

Walking Route -

Easy

Duns Public Park is well worth a visit not just to look at the attractive and various tree species but also to see the John Duns Scotus statue, the unusual benches and the stately park gates.

1mi

1.5km

98ft

30m

98ft

30m

Towns along route: Duns

Tweedbank and Abbotsford

Walking Route -

Easy

A short circular that you can start from the railway station passing by Gunknowe Loch, Abbotsford and returning on the Borders Abbeys Way (one of Scotland’s Great Trails) along the River Tweed.

3.5mi

5.5km

230ft

70m

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Tweedbank

Tweedbank Nature Trail

Walking Route -

Easy

This very short circular around Tweedbank Park and Gunknowe Loch was intended as a family nature trail which anyone can enjoy.

1mi

1.5km

131ft

40m

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Tweedbank

Tweedbank Park and Gunknowe Loch

Walking Route -

Easy

A good route for a short walk from Abbotsford to observe the ducks and swans on the Loch. Abbotsford was the home of Sir Walter Scott.

1.5mi

2.5km

131ft

40m

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Tweedbank

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