River and Woodland – Newcastleton

A short circular exploring part of the immaculate Newcastleton village, the Liddel Water and neighbouring woodland.

Newcastleton or Copshaw Holm (Copshie) is a good example of a planned village. It was established in 1793 to a plan by William Keir of Whithaugh for the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch.

From the north end of Douglas Square, turn down to the Liddel Water and turn left along the riverside path, passing Whithaugh Pool, at one time a favourite bathing place. Among the birds you might see are dipper, pied wagtail, oystercatcher and heron. Across the river are the lands of Whithaugh, owned by the Armstrong family in the reiving days.

Swing left with the path past the Auction Mart, a busy place when livestock are being sold. After about 1km/0.6 mile, the path curves left, up to a kissing gate. At this point turn left to complete the short Walk it route or turn right for a few metres, then left (at the village sign) to cross the bridge over the former railway line. This was the famous Waverley Line from Edinburgh to Carlisle; Newcastleton Station opened on 1 March 1862 and for much of the ensuing century it was possible to travel directly to London from here. The line closed, very much against local wishes, in January 1969.

Pass through an iron gate and take the track to the left. In about 100 metres, enter the wood by a gate and a wooden bridge. There are lovely wild flowers in spring including bluebells, and the summer birds include woodpeckers. Follow the path along the upper edge of the wood until just before a deep gully, a small path leads down to the left. This is a short cut back to the village.

To continue the full walk, cross two bridges and continue along the edge of the wood to the Bull Park, enclosed on the far side by a stone wall. Here the villagers used to keep a bull beside the common grazing land on Holm Hill. The next bridge takes you over the mill lade which runs for 5km/3 miles down the hill from where it has been diverted from the Black Burn. There were two manmade ponds nearby, one used to supply water for the railway engines at the station, the other for the sawmill.

Climb the steps, cross a stile and a gate. Descend a steep bank to the Newcastleton-Langholm road. You can see the ruined sawmill on the left. You can walk down the road back to the village, or turn right up the hill to Holmhill Cottages, originally built as an isolation hospital. It was built in 1906 because infectious diseases were rife at the time, but was relatively little used and closed in 1930. Cottage no 3 incorporates the hospital’s former washhouse and mortuary.

Go through the gate just below the cottages and follow the lane, near the end of which a steep path will lead you down to the old railway line. Turn left and follow the route back to the village along the old line.