Bowhill’s Duchess’ Drive

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

Look out for the old stone bench and stone mile markers. Bowhill is part of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Estate and has been run as a country park for decades. The Duke and Duchess are sometimes in residence so please respect the owner’s privacy. There is a ranger service at Bowhill and a tearoom during the open season.

1. From the car park turn left onto the estate road so that Bowhill House is below you on your left.

2. Where a track forks off to the right follow this into the plantation on Pernassie Hill. Stay on this track for 2.5km.

3. At the edge of the forest exit through the field gate onto open moorland. Follow the track up hill. At a fork in the track go through the gate and continue uphill.

4. When you reach another gate go through the gate to continue round the side of Fastheugh Hill. Keep on this track and go through another gate following it round towards Newark Hill.

5. Continue downhill until you reach a gate at the edge of forestry.

6. Go through this gate and head downhill along the forestry track. When you come to a junction continue downhill to the right, at the next junction keep on the track where a burn goes under the track.

7. Turn right onto the estate road. Keeping left at a fork follow the road past Newark Tower. Continue to follow the estate road past the Old School House and Slain Mens Lea until you reach a junction of tracks.

8. Take the right hand fork onto the main drive for Bowhill House and return to the car park.

There are other shorter way-marked routes on Bowhill Estate that you may wish to follow if you are visiting their country park.