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Darnick, Rhymer’s Glen and Cauldshiels Loch

Walking Route

Darnick, Rhymer’s Glen and Cauldshiels Loch

Walking

This route from Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, takes in part of the Borders Abbeys Way, Rhymer’s Glen and Cauldshiels Loch. 1.

From the Abbotsford 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 go straight ahead following the road as it climbs a little before descending past Kaeside, Sunnyside and Broomilees Farms.

3. At Darnick Community Woodlands turn right (signed Ley Road). The woodlands here were planted and are looked after by the local community and are worth exploring following the marked trails.

4. At the bottom of the hill turn right and go through the subway to join a road. Continue on the road past the entrance to Borders General Hospital for about 800 metres, then turn left at a track heading down towards Rhymer’s Glen.

5. After 500 metres, turn right at a grassy track beside some woodland. Follow this track up into the woodland and into Rhymer’s Glen, once one of the most popular walks from Melrose and a favourite excursion of Sir Walter Scott. At the top of the woodland, continue on the path across old earthworks until reaching a gate. Like the hill fort on nearby Cauldshiels Hill, these earthworks are thought to have been a small, fortified farmstead.

6. Go through the gate onto Bowden Moor and turn right walking with the wall on your right to finally reach the edge of Cauldshiels Loch at a gate on your right. The heather moorland has heath spotted orchid in flower in early summer and devil’s bit scabious is prominent in late summer. Go through the gate and follow the winding path through the woodland along the water’s edge. Near the end of the loch, bear right on a path away from the water and join the BAW. Follow the BAW along a track to meet a road.

7. At the road, turn right and continue to follow the BAW. At the first road junction turn left. At the second road junction turn left retracing your steps to the visitor centre and car park.

Further information:
Abbotsford
Downloads:
Paths_Around_abbotsford.pdf Abbotsford_3.gpx
height
Distance:
6mi / 10km
trending_flat
Total climb:
1,017ft / 310m
trending_flat
Total descent:
1,017ft / 310m
Towns along route:
Darnick
Difficulty:
Moderate
Difficulty notes:
Paths, tracks and minor roads, some stretches can be muddy after rain, moderate gradients in places, boots or walking shoes recommended.
Our best efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data, however the data and geographic information contained along route lines and on maps should be used for informational purposes only.

What you'll see

Image of Abbotsford

Abbotsford - Melrose

Visitor Attractions

The extraordinary home of Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott, the man who gave us the historical novel, popularised tartan & rediscovered Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

Image of This route from Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, takes in part of the Borders Abbeys Way, Rhymer’s Glen and Cauldshiels Loch. 1. From the Abbotsford 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 go straight ahead following the road as it climbs a little before descending past Kaeside, Sunnyside and Broomilees Farms. 3. At Darnick Community Woodlands turn right (signed Ley Road). The woodlands here were planted and are looked after by the local community and are worth exploring following the marked trails. 4. At the bottom of the hill turn right and go through the subway to join a road. Continue on the road past the entrance to Borders General Hospital for about 800 metres, then turn left at a track heading down towards Rhymer’s Glen. 5. After 500 metres, turn right at a grassy track beside some woodland. Follow this track up into the woodland and into Rhymer’s Glen, once one of the most popular walks from Melrose and a favourite excursion of Sir Walter Scott. At the top of the woodland, continue on the path across old earthworks until reaching a gate. Like the hill fort on nearby Cauldshiels Hill, these earthworks are thought to have been a small, fortified farmstead. 6. Go through the gate onto Bowden Moor and turn right walking with the wall on your right to finally reach the edge of Cauldshiels Loch at a gate on your right. The heather moorland has heath spotted orchid in flower in early summer and devil’s bit scabious is prominent in late summer. Go through the gate and follow the winding path through the woodland along the water’s edge. Near the end of the loch, bear right on a path away from the water and join the BAW. Follow the BAW along a track to meet a road. 7. At the road, turn right and continue to follow the BAW. At the first road junction turn left. At the second road junction turn left retracing your steps to the visitor centre and car park.

Darnick

Towns & Villages

Darnick is a traditional Scottish village only 2 miles ouside of Melrose, with winding streets and narrow lanes.