North Town Circular

This circular route is a venture around the historic market town of Kelso on the north side of the River Tweed that partly follows the Borders Abbeys Way (one of Scotland’s Great Trails).

You will pass Kelso Racecourse opened in 1822 and voted as Britain’s Friendliest Racecourse. Take care as sometimes the part of the route at the Cobby Riverside Walk is flooded.

Facing the Town Hall in Kelso Square, take the street on the left, Horsemarket, and continue down to the roundabout. Take the right hand exit, cross the road, and turn immediately left into Shedden Park. Follow the path down the left hand side of the park for 250m until you come out the other side onto Dryinghouse Lane.

Cross the road, turn left and proceed uphill for 200m passing straight across the roundabout and continuing uphill for another 400m to another roundabout. Continue straight ahead across the roundabout on the Ednam road for 800m leaving the town, and then cross to the opposite pavement. A large gap appears in the hedge on your left and beyond this a gate leading to a grass ride lined by hedges, with the Golf Course and Kelso Race Course on either side.

Pick up this path, closing the gate behind you, and continue for 800m to a tarmac road. The course is the home of Borders horse racing and was opened in 1822. It has been voted “Britain’s Friendliest Racecourse”. Turn left, right at the next junction then, join the minor road looking out for signs denoting the Borders Abbeys Way.

Turn left and follow the pavement for 300m. Just after the golf clubhouse and opposite the ice rink, turn right on a tarmac path and straight on through a housing estate. With the home of Kelso Rugby Club, Poynder Park, ahead of you, zig zag down the hill. Turn right and follow the path parallel to the road at the bottom. Eventually, with Croft Park on your right meet with the minor road and follow it to the main road ahead.

5. Turn left, right at the next junction then, 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.

6. Go up the ramp, then straight ahead into the town centre, turning right into Kelso Square.