Kelso to Roxburgh

This circular route follows the Borders Abbeys Way along the banks of the River Teviot and returns to Kelso partly along an old railway line.

Appropriate for long distance walkers that can’t do hills.

1. Start at Kelso Abbey, which was once the largest and most powerful of all the Border abbeys. Leave the abbey by the gates and turn left heading past the war memorial and cross Rennies Bridge over the River Tweed. Turn right onto the A699 and follow it as it swings left past the point where the Tweed and Teviot meet and over another bridge across the River Teviot. after 1km, right down to the grassy bank of the Tweed. Turn left along what is known as the Cobby Riverside Walk, which is flooded occasionally by the river, with the spire of Kelso North Parish Church to the left. At the end of the Cobby look out for what remains of the foundations of the water mill that was associated with the Abbey.

2. Cross a stone stile on your left, 250m after the bridge. Follow this path down to the riverside. As the path swings left with the river, fragments of masonry are seen on the steep slope to your right. These are the remains of Roxburgh Castle, once one of the most important strongholds in Scotland. In the 12th century this castle guarded one of the four principal Scottish Royal Burghs (along with Edinburgh, Stirling and Berwick) and a Royal Mint was sited here. Continue along the riverside path for 3km, the waymarked path eventually leaves the river and continues along two field edges. The riverside can be rich in wildlife: heron, kingfisher, common sandpiper, reed bunting and otter can all be found here.

3. Cross the stile and turn left down a minor road, through Roxburgh Mill farm and on towards Roxburgh village. Turn left down a lane and follow this to the river and the former railway viaduct.

4. Turn left, leaving the BAW and crossing the river by the bridge attached to the viaduct. Follow the path to another minor road and turn right, go under the viaduct and follow the road for 200m as it swings round to the left.

5. At the bend in the road turn left through a gate and after 100m turn right on to the disused railway track. Follow the track for 2.4km. The hawthorn bushes in winter often contain flocks of redwing, and fieldfare and bullfinches are sometimes present. As you pass clear of the bushes look out for four fortifications or castles to the north: Smailholm Tower, Floors Castle, Roxburgh Castle and Hume Castle.

6. As you draw level with the large white house (Maisondieu) on your right the path descends from the railway embankment. Continue straight ahead as the path climbs back up onto the disused railway then ascends along the field edge.

7. Follow the path as it winds its way to the left side of the woodland strip.

8. Go through the gate and cross the main road. Turn left and follow the pavement into the town past the ambulance station and downhill.

9. At the garage take care crossing the road, turn left and continue downhill to the Millennium Viewpoint, turn right and descend a flight of steps into the park. Cross the park, at the top of more steps turn right and cross the bridge retracing your steps to the start. Go up the ramp, then straight ahead into the town centre, turning right into Kelso Square.