Sprouston Circular

This circular route from Sprouston follows the banks of the River Tweed before returning to the village along an old railway line.

The River Tweed rises in the Lowther Hills and flows for 100 miles before emptying into the sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is Scotland’s 4th largest river.

1. Start at the phone box at Sprouston Village Green and take the grassy track, on the opposite side of the Kelso road, north-west, to the river. At the river cross the wooden bridge by the picnic table and follow the river downstream. Note the old salmon trap 200m from the bridge, just below the cauld.

2. Continue along the river bank and through the metal gate at the fishing hut, then cross the wooden bridge over the burn, keeping the anglers’ car park to your right. Follow the river up a slight incline from the top of which there are fine views to the west over Kelso and a distant view of the Waterloo Monument at Peniel Heugh near Ancrum. Below you is a small island known as Scurry Rock. The habitats vary considerably as you pass along the river bank. In spring and summer sand martin, swallow and swift can be seen skimming the water. Grey, pied and yellow wagtails are present too along with reed bunting and meadow pipit. On the water mute swan are often seen in considerable numbers, occasionally joined by whooper swan in winter. Greylag geese occasionally successfully breed and Canada geese are sometimes seen. Tufted duck, mallard, goldeneye, goosander and little grebe are around most of the year. Sometimes hungry cormorants come inland in search of food. Oystercatchers noisily announce their arrival from the coast early in the year and stay until late summer. The riverside hosts much flora including giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, Tansy, butterbur, valerian, mimulus, cranesbill and comfrey.

3. The path follows the Tweed, through grazing meadows (haughs) until a field gate appears in the fence. Please take care if there are cattle on the haughs. Pass through this gate onto a hard track and note the large cauld (weir) and fish pass. To your left are the remains of Banff Mill. Only one building now remains and this is used as a fishing hut.

4. At the track turn right, follow the road south-eastwards and take the next left, leading up a track for 500m until another track appears on your left, pass through this gate, leading down to the river bank again. On meeting the river, turn right, follow the river downstream for 3.5km round the grass banks of Redden haugh. Pass through the field gate at the end of the haugh, and press on down the track to your left leading round a right hand bend and emerging through the field gate onto the Kelso to Carham road just at the Border.

5. Turn right and head up the main road for 350m, cross the road, and turn left heading for Carham Station at Lime House in 500m. On your right, you will see the end of the disused railway line signposted to Sprouston, along with the remains of a platform.

6. Continue up the disused railway for 3.5km until reaching a hunt gate onto a tarmac road leading back into the village green at Sprouston from where you set off.


f you would prefer a shorter route variant follow the above description until Point 4, at Banff Mill. Follow tarmac from Banff Mill out to the main Sprouston Carham Road.
5a. Turn left on the main road, taking great care. Proceed for 300m and then turn right down a farm track until you reach an old railway bridge.

6a. Do not cross the railway bridge but take the steep path to the right of it and descend to the old railway line. Turn right (west) and proceed along the track for some 1.75km.

7a. At the end of the line join the minor road which brings you back into Sprouston with the church on your right and the phone box opposite.