Rhymer’s Route

Although quite a long route there is an interesting variety of terrain from town to hill to farmland and woodland.

The sections over the Eildons and Cauldshiels Hill have steep ascents and descents. You can also stop for a moment at the Rhymer’s Stone; Thomas Rhymer was spirited away by the fairies according to folklore.

1. From the Abbey car park, take the tarmac footpath to the right of the Abbey graveyard, the Borders Abbeys Way (BAW) and follow the directions as for Route 6 along Priors Walk to Newstead, under the by-pass and up the track to the old main road.

2. Here turn left up the road to visit the Rhymer’s Stone. Thomas the Rhymer or Thomas of Ercildoune (Earlston) lived in the c13th. He was said to have the gift of prophecy and many of his predictions came true over the years. The stone marks the reputed (fictional) site of the Eildon Tree where Thomas met the Queen of the Fairies. A display board back down the road relates the story of their tryst. Return down the road and turn left up the Eildon Hills Path towards the hills.

3. At the top of the track that emerges onto open ground and the hills, go through the gate and bear right, through banks of gorse, a shrub that is both beautiful and aromatic when in flower. This path traverses the slopes of Eildon Hill North and there are good views of Melrose and the Tweed valley from this path.

4. After about 1km, the path meets St. Cuthbert’s Way (SCW). Follow sign posted SCW up and between the two main hills, Eildon Hill North and Eildon Mid Hill. As you progress up the slope, rowan, hawthorn and silver birch trees can be seen on either side, before the gorse is replaced by heather. After crossing the saddle between the two hills follow SCW down the other side.

5. Shortly before reaching the woodland, turn right on a track up the slope, around the foot of Eildon Mid Hill, then go to the right of Little Hill. Although tiny in comparison to the three main Eildons, Little Hill is the only one of true volcanic origin. Through the gate, follow the path down and then along the track to the left of Bowdenmoor Reservoir.

6. At the road, turn left. Take care walking along the side of the road for 500m, and then turn right on to a stone track. Follow the track almost to Lady Moss but where the track bends left go straight ahead through a farm gate into the field and continue straight on to another gate. Lady Moss, originally a marshy area or moss but now permanently water, is home to a variety of birds, including mute and whooper swans, and coots. Rejoin the track but then go through a gate on your right into a field.

7. Head uphill diagonally to the far corner of a dry stone wall, crossing old earthworks. These earthworks runs for several miles through this part of the Borders, probably built as a land boundary dating back to the Iron Age. There are often cattle in this field so be aware and if necessary give them a wide berth. At the wall corner continue uphill and go through a small gate on to Bowdenmoor. Follow the path up for nearly 500m with the wall on your left. Near the top of the hill, go through two gates and head across the field towards a waymarker post, then bear left heading towards a small summit (Cauldshiels Hill). Other earthworks can be seen to your right.

8. At the wall go through the two gates and on to the hill. From the top, admire the view of the loch, the Abbotsford landscape and Tweed valley below that so inspired Sir Walter Scott in many of his writings. Cauldshiels Hill holds the remains of a fort and considerable earthworks. Leave the hill by returning through the gates and go left steeply down the field edge with the wall on your left, towards Cauldshiels Loch below.

9. At the bottom of the hill at the kissing gate turn right along the track. Go through one gate and follow the path across boardwalks along the edge of Bowdenmoor with the wall on your left. At a small field gate turn left and head towards the wood, crossing further earthworks.

10. Follow the woodland ride through the dense conifer plantation with Rhymer’s Glen just visible below. However there are plans to fell a large section of the woodland and replant with deciduous trees and to open up some of Scott’s original rides and paths. On leaving the wood bear left on to a track and follow this over the burn and past the cottages up to the road. Turn right and go down the road past Borders General Hospital. Just before reaching the by-pass, follow the path down through the subway.

11. Immediately turn right and take the tarmac path close to the by-pass, for about 1.5 km. This path known as ‘Daffodil Walk’ is ablaze with yellow in early Spring and is celebrated annually. At the former Melrose railway station bear left down the path to the car park and follow the road into Market Square and back to the start point.