Coldstream, Hirsel Estate and the River Tweed

A long distance and varied route taking in the Hirsel Estate’s policy woodlands and the River Tweed.

There are shorter walks around the Hirsel’s grounds where you can keep to hard-surfaced paths. Other facilities on the estate include a visitor centre and museum, car-parking and a hide for bird-watching by the Hirsel Lake.

1. Leave Home Park Car Park, cross the main street and turn right. As you approach the bridge you will meet a flight of steps descending to your left. Follow these down and continue on the pavement round the stone dyke along Penitents Walk. As the path bears to the left, you will come across the meeting point of the River Tweed and the Leet water at which point the path will follow the course of the Tweed downstream. This path adjacent to the Tweed is known as Nuns Walk. Please take great care as there are steep drops near to the pavement. Children should be kept under close supervision.

2. On reaching the main road you will notice a tall obelisk 21m (70ft) high surmounted by the stone figure of Charles Albany Marjoribanks. A Scottish Liberal politician, he was elected as the first Member of Parliament for Berwickshire after passing the Reform Act of 1832. Turn right and continue along the pavement adjacent to the road, heading for the bridge across the Tweed. Just before the Marriage House you will spot a gap in the wall on your right. Proceed down the steps towards the small arch under the Coldstream Bridge. Continue under the bridge past the cauld and along the path which leads up the Crow Green between the river and electric fence bounding the field. Please respect the fishermen by keeping your dog under control.

3. At the end of the field turn left, go through two gates and follow the track up hill to Lennel keeping a wall on your left. At the top, cross the road and continue straight ahead along the road for 800 metres to Oxenrig. Turn left and continue along this road for a further 1.5km.

4. At the road junction go straight across the main road (taking great care) and pick up a narrow path in the woodland which widens as it turns right and then after a short distance turn left through the woodland until you reach a fingerpost. Turn right and follow the track up through the woodland. Cross the main track and continue straight ahead climbing gradually. Keep to the main track and ignore any which go off to the left or right.

5. Follow directions as for Walk 4 from Point 4 - 8 through Dunglass Wood and over the Leet Water towards The Hirsel. At the stone bridge (Cow Arch) follow the track and fence line as it swings round to the right. After 50 metres turn right and continue along the tarmac drive passing the red sandstone building (stables) on your right.

6. At the Y-junction continue straight ahead on the tarmac road passing a farm steading.

7. Now follow the directions for Route 5 from point 5-10 through Dundock Wood down to Fireburnmill and downstream along the River Tweed.

8. At the end of the field, walk through the woodland for 150 metres. Continue on downstream, bearing right at the track and heading past the Lees fishing bothy. Please respect the privacy of users of the fishing bothy by keeping your dog under strict control and pass quickly. Go through a gate and turn left following the grassy path down the field margin.

9. Turn left at the concrete road, you will cross the mill lade and head uphill on the track bearing to the right and taking you on to Lees Mill Lane. Continue on for 100 metres or so until reaching the car park adjacent to Leet Bridge and head back to the start of the path.