Housebyres

A moderate circular taking you up to the pretty Byres Loch and returning on the Southern Upland Way along the River Tweed and over The 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 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. At the road junction continue straight ahead on the Southern Upland Way (SUW). Leave the SUW after the first bend and follow the road for about 2 km, passing Wester Housebyres on the left and Easter Housebyres further on the right. To the left are good views across the Tweed Valley towards Galashiels. The fine beech hedges along this road are a common feature in the Borders, despite the species not being native to this part of the country. Buzzards can often be seen and heard circling above on the lookout for food, such as rabbits and many smaller animals, as you walk through the rolling farmland.

5. At the end of the tarmac road by a turning circle, continue on through a gate along a stone track. (For a shorter walk turn sharp right and follow the rough track up to meet the SUW at point 7). Go past the Byres Lochs which were constructed in the late 1990’s to benefit wildlife, fishing and the local landscape and climb up the track into higher, rougher grassland. Pass to the left of an attractive loch, Stoney Knowes Moss, where much bird life can be seen, including black-headed gull, oystercatcher, lapwing and various species of duck. The wetter, rushy areas ’mosses’ are excellent habitats for a variety of plants and insects, complementing the rough grassland and stretches of open water.

6. At a gate the SUW continues north on a fine undulating track to Lauder known in medieval times as ‘Malcolm’s Road’ along the line of the old Roman Road Dere Street. Our route turns sharp right here and follows the SUW south to the right of the dry stone wall, passing the sign posted path to Earlston and the ‘pile of stones’.

7. At the waymark post by a converted steading where the track from Point 5 joins, continue on down the SUW with excellent views of the Tweed valley and the Eildon Hills. On a clear day, the hills of Ettrick Forest can be seen in the distance to the south-west, and these hills are crossed by the SUW. The track eventually rejoins the road at a gate. Ahead at the junction, go left up the hill and follow the directions for the rest of Walk 3 from point 4.