James Hutton Cycle Route

James Hutton was born in Edinburgh in 1726. After studying at universities in Edinburgh and on the continent, he moved to Berwickshire in 1754, where he had inherited family farms at Slighhouses and Nether Monynut.

He spent 10 years in Berwickshire, mainly at Slighhouses, making many improvements to arable farming methods.
Hutton was a lifelong scholar. After his time in Berwickshire, he travelled widely, following his passion for geology and mixing with leading figures in the Edinburgh scientific establishment. From his studies and observations, he deduced that the Earth was very much older than the generally accepted view at the time, and sought to find proof of his theory.
He finally found this at Siccar Point, where base layers of grey rock, originally deposited as horizontal beds, have been tilted vertically and then overlain by younger red sandstone layers. To explain this structure, Hutton suggested that a vast period of time had elapsed between the deposition of the grey and red rocks. Thus was born the concept of ‘Deep Time’ - a fundamental principle of modern geology.

Stage 1: Cockburnspath to Nether Monynut

Geology: Cockburnspath village lies on early Carboniferous rocks, mostly sandstones, limestones, and mudstones (Ballagan Formation). Older buildings use sandstones as the main building stone, seen near the Mercat Cross. Shortly after the junction are two aggregate pits (Fulfordlees and Kinegar quarries) exploiting sand and gravel from glacial meltwater deposits. Near the Holiday Park, the unconformable contact between Old Red Sandstone rocks and Silurian greywackes (Gala Group) is passed, marking a landscape transition to the Lammermuir Hills.

Directions:
Cycle downhill from the car park in the middle of Cockburnspath, then turn right opposite the white granite war memorial, signed towards Berwick. After 0.8 km, turn right towards Abbey St Bathans. The road rises as it crosses onto Old Red Sandstone rocks. Shortly after Ecclaw Farm (featuring farm buildings of greywacke with very large quoins of Old Red Sandstone), turn right onto the road signed to Monynut. Pass a cattle grid onto an unfenced road for the next two miles (watch out for lambs in spring/early summer). Enjoy panoramic views of the Lammermuir Hills in clear weather. After Paitshill Farm, climb gently before crossing the steep-sided cleugh of Whare Burn, then descend steeply to Nether Monynut. Cross the bridge over the Heriot Water and take the steady climb up to Ecclaw Farm, noting Hoprigshiels wind farm to the right.

Stage 2: Nether Monynut to Slighhouses

Geology:
About 0.8 km beyond Nether Monynut farm is a quarry on the left exposing superficial deposits above vertical Silurian greywackes. Past the turning to Bushelhill Farm is a high cliff of vertical greywackes amongst trees. Approaching the southern Lammermuirs, the Millburn valley widens into an alluvial flood plain. Before Preston, the route crosses the Whiteadder at Cockburn Mill Ford, moving from greywackes into Old Red Sandstone, followed by Carboniferous Ballagan Formation rocks (the Merse, the agricultural region of the Tweed Valley). Lintlaw's rubble building stones include dark blocks of greywacke and andesite.

Directions:
Cycle past Nether Monynut farm buildings (historically farmed by James Hutton between 1754 and 1767) and descend into the Monynut valley to reach an information board on your right at NT 7307 6402. Follow the Monynut Water downstream through mixed woodland. At Bankend cottages, turn right onto a road signed to Abbey St Bathans and Preston, continuing alongside the Monynut Water. Arrive in Abbey St Bathans, pass the church lane on your left, and continue for 500m to the Woodlands Café (weekend opening; large groups should phone 07908 669905). Climb for 3 km away from the river past 'Toot Corner', noting the granodiorite of Cockburn Law to the left, then descend steeply through woodland to Burnhouses. Turn left onto the B6355 towards Duns and Preston. After 4 km, turn left before the Millburn bridge towards Preston. Arrive in Preston opposite the village hall, bear left onto the A6112, then turn right at the east end onto the B6355 toward Chirnside. Cycle 4 km through flat farmland until reaching the left turn signed to Lintlaw. Slighhouses Farm is found 1.5 km north of Lintlaw on the left.

Stage 3: Slighhouses to Siccar Point

Geology:
Cross the Old Red Sandstone/Silurian boundary near the former smiddy. At the Thief’s Road track, view glacial drainage valleys that carried meltwater south and east. Descend north through another meltwater valley past Monashee Farm and Drakemyre to Grantshouse. Past Pease Bay, view the spectacular Old Red Sandstone cliffs at the west end of the bay.

Directions:
From Slighhouses, climb steadily uphill toward the southern side of the Lammermuirs, crossing the B6438 crossroads at the former smiddy. Descend to meet the A6112 at Berryhill Cottage. Turn right and descend for ~2 km with views of the Eye Water valley to reach the A1 at Grantshouse. **Dismount and cross the main road with care** into Grantshouse village, turn right, and pass the cycle repair station. Pass through Old Cambus; after 1.5 km, take the second right towards Pease Bay. After 0.4 km, ignore the left road, pass the sign for ESG Drysdale, and reach the start of the Siccar Point Deep Time Trail on the left.

Stage 4: Siccar Point to Cockburnspath (Return)

Geology:
Coastal views look towards Carboniferous limestones, sandstones, and mudstones at Torness nuclear power station. To the right lies the volcanic island of Bass Rock (phonolitic trachyte) and Fife on clear days. Left of Torness, industrial chimneys mark the Dunbar cement plant next to a large limestone quarry. Further left is North Berwick Law, similar in geology to Bass Rock.

Directions:
Retrace your route westwards from the trail start for 0.8 km, then turn right steeply downhill towards Pease Bay. Cross the ford or footbridge over the Pease Burn. The car park on the right gives access to the sands and cliffs. Turn left along the lane beside the Cedar Café (public toilets and picnic area in the lay-by). Climb steeply uphill for 4 km, passing Howpark Farm and the Penmanshiel and Drone Hill wind farms, to reach the A1107. Turn left downhill with coastal views. Cycle uphill to the west for 2 km, pass the Cove village road on the right, turn immediately left, and follow the marked cycle route under the A1. Upon reaching the road just north of Cockburnspath, choose your return option:

Option A: Turn left into the village, then right opposite the war memorial to return to the Mercat Cross.
Option B: Turn right, then first left towards Dunglass. Follow for 0.8 km, turn left at the gatehouse into the Dunglass estate (NT 7670 7198). Leave bikes in the lay-by on the left to visit the Collegiate Church (containing historical artefacts on the Hall family and their connection to Hutton and Siccar Point), then retrace your route back to Cockburnspath and the starting point