Lees Haugh Riverside

A pleasant short circular in the U-shaped river side between the Leet Water and the River Tweed. When Coldstream was built up in the early 18th century there was no bridge over the River Tweed to England.

When the bridge was completed in 1766 the Toll House became a popular spot for conducting irregular marriages; on a par with Gretna Green.

1. Leave the Home Park car park and turn right heading along Coldstream High Street. You will see the Lees Farm on your right as you cross the bridge. At this point turn left and follow the road for a few yards until reaching a road on your right leading to Lees Mill Lane and Lees Mill Drive. Follow this road as it changes to a track and continue down the hill to the left away from the former Lees Stables towards the former mill lade (a man-made channel used to divert water to provide power for machinery) and engine house on your right. Turn right where the Leet Water on your left meets the River Tweed. Follow the top of the water dykes which surround the cropped land.

2. At the information panel, pass though the kissing gate and continue along the concrete track, over the old mill lade, following the fingerposts directing you to the “Riverside Walk”. The water dykes were built in 1820 by Sir James Marjoriebanks. The labour was provided by POWs from the Napoleonic War (1815). In winter this land sometimes floods providing a rich loam good for growing arable crops. On the river watch out for the birds including Grey Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Goosander, Heron and in summer, if you are very lucky, you may see Yellow Wagtail.

4. Where the track divides there is an option to follow the riverbank round the river (a slightly longer route) or continue straight ahead along the water dyke, either will take you to the weir adjacent to the Lees fishing bothy. Below the weir the Scotland/ England border leaves the middle of the river and goes around the edge of the field on the far bank, this is called the Baa’ Green. It is believed that Wark and Coldstream used to have an annual football match and the winner had the field for the next year so the ownership went back and forward depending who won the match.

5. At the Lees fishing bothy, turn right and continue round on the water dyke adjacent to the field until you come across the concrete road which you initially followed onto the haugh.

6. Retrace your steps back to the car park or take some time to visit the town’s shops.