Edin’s Hall Broch

An interesting circular that you can extend by following the Southern Upland Way up to Edgar’s Cleuch.

There is an optional detour up to Cockburn Law. Edin’s Hall Broch’s remains date back to 500BC when earthworks enclosed the settlement where the broch was built several hundred years later.

1. From the Riverside Car Park in Abbey St Bathans, follow the path downstream between the river and the road, following the riverside path for 250m before joining the Duns Road. Alternatively follow the road. After 0.5km you will reach ‘Toot Corner’.

2. At ‘Toot Corner’ - white diamond shaped sign on a pole - turn left and follow the path down the steep slope to Eller Burn. Cross the burn and turn left. After a short distance follow the path as it sweeps round to the right and traverses moorland. After 1km the broch is reached. The original Iron Age settlement at Edin’s Hall was enclosed by defensive earthworks around 500BC. This fort was replaced after a few centuries by a large stone broch, or circular tower and a series of stone walled houses in banked enclosures.

3. If you feel energetic it is worth making the ascent to Cockburns Law where you will see the remains of an Iron Age Fort some 2500 years old.

4. From the broch you head downhill to follow the path to Elba Footbridge. The footbridge was refurbished in October 1994 by 6 HQ Squadron, a Royal Engineer Unit. The bridge makes a dramatic crossing over a gorge through which Whiteadder Water flows. This gorge contains some of the oldest surviving woodland in the Borders and the hill slopes nearby were once mined for copper.

5. After crossing the bridge follow the track through the woods. When you reach the public road turn left uphill, following the road for 2km until you reach a left turn signed for Blakerstone.

6. Turn left and follow the Blakerstone road for just over 0.5km continue on the track straight ahead for 1.5km. Before reaching the river, cross the stile on your right to follow the path uphill, eventually coming out near the ford and footbridge at the riverside car park.

7. Alternatively, you can continue to Moorhouse. Do not turn left off the road towards Blakerstone but continue on the road for another 0.5km. Turn left off the road at Moorhouse and follow the field track for just over 1km until you reach the Southern Upland Way. Turn left onto the Southern Upland Way and follow the track for 0.8km to return to the bridge that crosses to the riverside car park.