Around Cademuir Forest and Forts

This route affords great views for relatively little effort; while there are climbs on this route, they are reasonably gradual if you follow the route as is described here.

You may choose to extend your excursion by visiting the forts on Cademuir’s wavy ridge. Be aware that this would make the route a hill walk.

Please also note sheep lamb here over April and May. Dogs can cause problems for the sheep on Cademuir Hill during lambing time (April to early June). Keep dogs under strict control, or on a lead, or avoid taking them on the hill.

The first Cademuir Hill Fort covers an area equivalent to two football pitches within its outer stone wall. The fort enjoys steep slopes giving natural protection on all sides except the south-west where the ground falls in a series of rocky terraces. On the south-east side the wall has almost entirely disappeared down the side of the hill. 35 round houses were recorded within the walls.
The second fort that you see on the ridge is approximately equivalent to half the area of a football pitch and sits on a lower part of the ridge. The debris from its wall has created scree-like deposits on the flanks of the knoll. To the north-east of the protective wall is a gully 3m deep and 37m wide, on its far side are the remains of a chevaux de frise. The stones comprising this obstacle were placed to be invisible to an attacking force advancing from the north-east.


From Kingsmeadow Car Park, head diagonally across the junctions with care, and head for a lane which lies between Springhill Road and Caledonian Road. You are following the John Buchan Way signs up to Chambers Terrace, Frankcroft and then Craigerne Lane. Continue to follow the JBW signs up to Tantah.

When you go through the gate at the corner of the wall surrounding Tantah House turn left, leaving the JBW, to head for Cademuir Forest. Follow the woodland path ahead of you which runs along the edge of the forest. After a short distance you will come to a junction, continue straight on, do not go uphill. Follow the path round to the parking area on the east side of the plantation. DO NOT exit the forest from the parking area. Walk up hill through the car park and follow the track that veers to the left. Keep on this track as it contours round the forest above the valley floor. Continue round for just over 1km until you reach another Y-junction, take the right hand track that goes up hill. (The left hand track that leads down hill terminates at the car parking area on the south side.)

Follow the track as it curves round towards the north. When the track turns again towards the north-east, as you start to go downhill, take the path on the left that rises steeply up the hill. After a short distance you will arrive at a gate on the perimeter of the forest. If you look to your left you will see the hummocky ridge of Cademuir Hill which boasts three scheduled ancient monuments. If you wish to explore the forts turn left through the gate. Keep on the highest part of the hill crest.

If you are returning to Peebles, go through the gate and drop downhill for a short distance until you reach the grassy track that is the John Buchan Way. Turn right onto the track and follow it for 1.5 km, until you will reach the gate at Tantah corner. Go through the gate and retrace your steps back to the car park.