Cauldshiels Loch

This route goes through much of Scott’s former estate lands. Many of the woodlands were designed and planted by Scott, although some of the conifer woodlands have been replanted more recently.

Although he was best known for his poems and historical novels, Scott also wrote about landscape design and tree planting. 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.

1. From the car park follow the path signed for Abbotsford and the visitor centre. Just before the visitor centre, turn left and follow the Borders Abbeys Way (BAW) uphill, after approximately 50 metres cross the main road with care and continue uphill on the minor road.

2. At the road junction turn right continuing on the BAW.

3. At the road junction turn right continuing on the BAW for another 700 metres.

4. Turn left onto a track and follow this track through the woodland past a small car park and on to Cauldshiels Loch. Reputed to be bottomless, the loch was supposed to be the abode of a water kelpie (a spirit in the form of a horse that drowned its riders). During the winter months, birds such as tufted duck, mallard and goosander can be seen and, in the spring, coot and great crested grebe may breed here. The mature coniferous woodland is home to roe deer, badger, great spotted woodpecker and the occasional red squirrel.

5. Retrace your steps to point 4. At the road turn left.

6. Bear right and follow the track downhill through woodland with Faldonside Loch below through the trees on your left, then bear right up a track that leads into a field. Faldonside Loch is categorised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest: it is of local importance as a winter wildfowl roost because of its sheltered location. Follow the path along the left hand edge of the field for 300 metres, then bear right continuing down to the bottom of the field by the road. Walk a short way up beside the wall till you reach a kissing gate on the left. Follow the path through woodland to the road.

7. Cross the road with care to a path through woodland down towards the River Tweed and walk with the river on your left for 600 metres. The woodlands here comprise a fine mix of deciduous trees which support many fungi in the autumn.

8. Go through the second kissing gate you come to on the left and follow the raised bank path towards the river. Follow this path as it continues downstream.

9. Go through the gate and turn right and after a few metres the track rejoins the BAW. Continue uphill for approx 250 metres, the visitor centre is on your right and the car park to the left.