Lanton Moor and Timpendean Tower

A circular route through farmland and woodland with an optional walk out to Timpendean Tower north-west of the town.

Tipendean Tower is now a ruin and was built in the 16th century adajacent to an older earthwork. Timpendean or Tympenden, was once part of the estate of Bonjedward, owned by the Douglas family. Please note, the Tower itself is in a poor state of repair and walkers are asked not to approach too closely.

1. Leave Canongate car park facing the Abbey and turn right along Abbey Place, with Jedburgh Abbey on the left. On reaching the Market Square, turn left and go up the Castlegate.

2. Pass the Castle Jail and continue uphill on the Jedburgh to Hawick road for a further 20 metres until you see a partially obscured gateway with two iron gates on the right. Pass through the gates and after a short distance follow the narrow path that descends to the right. Cross the bridge and follow the path uphill and to the right, through the beech trees.

3. At the top of the bank, pass through the offset gateway and walk up the path, past a house on the right. On reaching a junction of paths, turn right and into a field. Walk along the right side of the field uphill to a gate below a Cottage.

4. Turn left onto the road and continue past the houses at Tudhope on the right until you reach Roma Cottage, also on the right.

5. Pass to the right of the cottage onto a forestry track into Lanton Moor Woodland. Continue along this track until it bends sharply to the left.

6. At this point turn right onto a smaller track. After 100 metres you reach a junction of tracks with open fields beyond. Follow the path to the left. Continue until you pass the white cottage on the right called Williescrook, with its craft workshop shed. After passing the cottage, go straight on through the wood, past the first path junction.

7. As the main path turns right, turn left going beside the gate with a Lothian Estate sign and follow the fingerpost towards Timpendean Tower. Continue straight on for approximately 800 metres, keeping straight ahead on track that heads north-west across Lanton Moor. (7a. Should you wish to avoid Timpendean Tower, continue down the track over the minor road to point 10.)

8. Eventually a gateway is reached on the brow of the hill overlooking Teviotdale, with Timpendean Tower visible below and to the right. Go into the field and walk down the track along the field edge until you reach the gate at the field entrance on the right. (Retrace your steps to point 7).

9. Go into the field and follow the contours of ancient earthworks until the Tower itself is reached.

10. This track eventually reaches the A68 road. Cross with great care to the pavement opposite and turn right.

11. Continue on the pavement for about 100 metres and at the entrance to Jedforest Rugby Football Club, bear left onto the path which runs parallel to the road.

12. Continue along the path until it again joins the pavement, and immediately after crossing Station Bridge over the Jed Water, to join the riverside path. Turn right over Townfoot Bridge and into Jedburgh.