Abbotsford and River Tweed

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

His estate is one of the most significant designed landscapes in Scotland, laid out between 1811 and 1825. Many of the paths through Abbotsford are just as Scott designed and laid out in late Georgian times.

Directions:

1. From the start point at Abbey car park in Melrose, go right up Abbey Street and into the Market Square. Cross over and opposite the Station Hotel go right, up towards the former Melrose Station. Continue up past the building on the tarmac path and out on to the old station platform, then follow the path along the former railway line. There are views across the fields to Darnick and the Waverley Castle Hotel. After 1km, cross straight over the road and continue till the path ends.

2. Turn right at the pedestrian subway then left up a narrow lane, Lye Road. On your right, you pass the Darnick Community Woodland, planted with a variety of native trees and shrubs and a haven for wildlife. Short circular walks can be had in and around the woodland area and village. At the road, turn left over the bridge above the by-pass.

3. Follow the quiet, hedgerow-lined road through attractive countryside, with good views across the river towards Tweedbank, Galashiels and the hills beyond. After a small broadleaf wood on the left, this Walk joins the Borders Abbeys Way (BAW). Go straight on, past more woodland where coppiced trees can be seen. Coppicing is the ancient practice of cutting trees and shrubs down to just above ground level to provide a crop of wood. Cutting the trees back encourages new shoots to grow and gradually the tree spreads outwards. This stump of several shoots is known as a ‘stool’. Follow the BAW as the road starts to drop downhill.

4. At the right hand bend, go through the kissing gate on the left and head downhill on the woodland path. At the gate cross the road with care to the lodge house and follow the driveway down to the right. Continue on the path in front of the house and walled gardens towards the Visitor Centre.

5. Outside the Visitor Centre turn left (fingerpost) to join the BAW down an old lane, heading towards a former ford crossing of the Tweed. Before the river, bear right up a wide track and then pass under the modern road bridge. Follow the BAW around the edge of Tweedbank and then along the river, under the Redbridge Viaduct, now carrying the new Borders Railway, and pass the front of Lowood House to finally reach the road at the Lowood Bridge. (To get to Tweedbank station, go up a flight of steps on the right just before the viaduct, and turn right on to the path by the railway at the top. Follow this path up to the road and continue along Tweedbank Drive to the station).

6. At the bridge cross the road when safe to do so, follow the pavement uphill then take the path on the left, down to the river, and follow the riverside meadows passing behind the Waverley Castle Hotel. The path eventually leaves the river to reach a gate at the road. Go left and then take the path left climbing up The Scaurs above the river.

7. After passing Melrose Bowling Club and a display panel for the Southern Upland Way overlooking the cauld, turn right on the path up past Melrose Parish Church. Turn left along the main road, past Melrose RFC, and left at Buccleuch Street back to the start point.