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Gattonside Circular

Walking Route

Gattonside Circular

Walking

A short circular following the Southern Upland Way in part and crossing the River Tweed over the attractive Chain Bridge.

The Chain Bridge was built in 1826 with a restriction placed on it that only 8 people were allowed on it at any one time; swinging the bridge was an offence. Gattonside is situated on a south slope so the monks had their orchards here.

1. From the Abbey car park, turn right onto Buccleuch Street and then continue onto High Street past The Greenyards, Melrose rugby ground, to the junction with St. Mary’s Road.

2. Cross St. Mary’s Road and follow the tarmac footpath to the right of Melrose Parish Church, and past the war memorial down towards the River Tweed to meet the Southern Upland Way (SUW) at the cauld. The cauld was built to divert water from the river for the Abbey Mill on Annay Road. Turn right following the SUW along a tarmac path, crossing the river by the Chain Bridge. The suspension bridge was built in 1826 to avoid having to ford the river. Tolls were payable and the Toll House still stands at the southern end. The original notices can still be read on the bridge itself. Major repair work to strengthen the bridge was undertaken in 1991. Turn immediately left along a path on the riverbank.

3. Follow the pleasant path upstream along the riverbank, which is fringed with alder and willow and where birds such as mallard, goosander and grey heron can be seen. After leaving the river to reach the road, continue on the pavement (still on the SUW), then cross the road to go right up an old lane for 500 metres to a road junction.

4. Turn right, leaving the SUW, on a narrow road that leads up past Gattonside Mains and down towards the village of Gattonside with fine views of Melrose and the Eildon Hills. Follow the road down through ‘The Loan’ to reach the main road through the village. For information about Gattonside, see Route 2.

5. Cross the main road, go right then immediately left into Hoebridge Road West at Pink Cottage. Follow this road past the Orchard (now a play-park) to a T-junction, turn left and then right into Bridge Road, passing Gattonside’s war memorial, to reach the Chain Bridge again.

6. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Toll House along the lane. At the road junction, cross to the footway and go right, following the road and the Borders Abbey Way back past Melrose Abbey to the start point.

Further information:
Paths around Melrose
Downloads:
pathsaroundmelrose2016-PDF-final.pdf Melrose_3.gpx
height
Distance:
3.5mi / 5.5km
trending_flat
Total climb:
394ft / 120m
trending_flat
Total descent:
394ft / 120m
Towns along route:
Melrose, Gattonside
Difficulty:
Easy
Difficulty notes:
Minor roads and mostly good paths, although some stretches could be muddy after rain. Often flat, but with one moderate climb. Boots or walking shoes are 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 Melrose

Melrose

Towns & Villages

The trail starts in Melrose beside the magical Eildon Hills.

Image of A short circular following the Southern Upland Way in part and crossing the River Tweed over the attractive Chain Bridge. The Chain Bridge was built in 1826 with a restriction placed on it that only 8 people were allowed on it at any one time; swinging the bridge was an offence. Gattonside is situated on a south slope so the monks had their orchards here. 1. From the Abbey car park, turn right onto Buccleuch Street and then continue onto High Street past The Greenyards, Melrose rugby ground, to the junction with St. Mary’s Road. 2. Cross St. Mary’s Road and follow the tarmac footpath to the right of Melrose Parish Church, and past the war memorial down towards the River Tweed to meet the Southern Upland Way (SUW) at the cauld. The cauld was built to divert water from the river for the Abbey Mill on Annay Road. Turn right following the SUW along a tarmac path, crossing the river by the Chain Bridge. The suspension bridge was built in 1826 to avoid having to ford the river. Tolls were payable and the Toll House still stands at the southern end. The original notices can still be read on the bridge itself. Major repair work to strengthen the bridge was undertaken in 1991. Turn immediately left along a path on the riverbank. 3. Follow the pleasant path upstream along the riverbank, which is fringed with alder and willow and where birds such as mallard, goosander and grey heron can be seen. After leaving the river to reach the road, continue on the pavement (still on the SUW), then cross the road to go right up an old lane for 500 metres to a road junction. 4. Turn right, leaving the SUW, on a narrow road that leads up past Gattonside Mains and down towards the village of Gattonside with fine views of Melrose and the Eildon Hills. Follow the road down through ‘The Loan’ to reach the main road through the village. For information about Gattonside, see Route 2. 5. Cross the main road, go right then immediately left into Hoebridge Road West at Pink Cottage. Follow this road past the Orchard (now a play-park) to a T-junction, turn left and then right into Bridge Road, passing Gattonside’s war memorial, to reach the Chain Bridge again. 6. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Toll House along the lane. At the road junction, cross to the footway and go right, following the road and the Borders Abbey Way back past Melrose Abbey to the start point.

Gattonside

Towns & Villages

The small village of Gattonside lies on the north side of the River Tweed, just 1 kilometre north of Melrose.