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The Cloich Loop

Walking Route

The Cloich Loop

Walking

A relatively easy 8 mile circular due to the terrain consisting mainly of forestry tracks, farm tracks and country roads; great views out to the Moorfoot Hills.

The route passes the old shepher’s cottage at Courhope and follows in part the old road to the Meldons.
Courhope would originally have been a little stone cottage for a shepherd. The house was extended and used as an outward centre for disadvantaged youths for some years before it was abandoned. A local man from Walkerburn reminisced about visiting cousins here as a child when they would have milk straight from the cows in the byre, roll bales of hay down the hill and fill frying pans with the field mushrooms. Although the lambs will no longer be warmed by the stove here there are still sheep grazing in the adjacent fields. The family that farmed Courhope for decades still farm Cloich.

Park considerately on Manse Road and head straight ahead and then turn right towards the Barony Castle Hotel. When you reach the large iron gates on the Barony drive follow the road round to the right. After 200m turn right up some steps and then left, passing the icehouse. Continue following this attractive tree-lined track for 1km until you reach a junction of tracks. Take the upper right hand track signposted for Old road to Shiplaw. Follow this track north for 1.2km until you reach the minor road. Turn left onto the minor road. Follow the road for 1km until you reach a left turn into the forest. Turn into the forest and follow the forestry track south past Cloich. After 4km Courhope’s green pasture appears on your right.

After a short distance turn left into the forest heading for Nether Stewarton. The edge of the forest is reached in just over a kilometre. Follow the route down to the old road. When you reach the old road turn left towards the Barony. After 1.5km take a right turn onto a track towards Black Barony, take a right to follow the diversion round this dwelling, then take a right to wind down to Barony Castle. As you are passing Barony Castle it should be just to the right of you. Follow downhill to exit to your starting point in Eddleston.

Further information:
Paths around Peebles.
Downloads:
PathsaroundPeeblelow_-_2015_re-print.pdf Peebles_11.gpx
height
Distance:
8.5mi / 14km
trending_flat
Total climb:
1,115ft / 340m
trending_flat
Total descent:
1,115ft / 340m
Towns along route:
Eddleston
Difficulty:
Moderate
Difficulty notes:
Paths, forestry tracks, minor road and farmland.
Our best efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data, however the data and geographic information contained along route lines and on maps should be used for informational purposes only.

What you'll see

Image of A relatively easy 8 mile circular due to the terrain consisting mainly of forestry tracks, farm tracks and country roads; great views out to the Moorfoot Hills. The route passes the old shepher’s cottage at Courhope and follows in part the old road to the Meldons. Courhope would originally have been a little stone cottage for a shepherd. The house was extended and used as an outward centre for disadvantaged youths for some years before it was abandoned. A local man from Walkerburn reminisced about visiting cousins here as a child when they would have milk straight from the cows in the byre, roll bales of hay down the hill and fill frying pans with the field mushrooms. Although the lambs will no longer be warmed by the stove here there are still sheep grazing in the adjacent fields. The family that farmed Courhope for decades still farm Cloich. Park considerately on Manse Road and head straight ahead and then turn right towards the Barony Castle Hotel. When you reach the large iron gates on the Barony drive follow the road round to the right. After 200m turn right up some steps and then left, passing the icehouse. Continue following this attractive tree-lined track for 1km until you reach a junction of tracks. Take the upper right hand track signposted for Old road to Shiplaw. Follow this track north for 1.2km until you reach the minor road. Turn left onto the minor road. Follow the road for 1km until you reach a left turn into the forest. Turn into the forest and follow the forestry track south past Cloich. After 4km Courhope’s green pasture appears on your right. After a short distance turn left into the forest heading for Nether Stewarton. The edge of the forest is reached in just over a kilometre. Follow the route down to the old road. When you reach the old road turn left towards the Barony. After 1.5km take a right turn onto a track towards Black Barony, take a right to follow the diversion round this dwelling, then take a right to wind down to Barony Castle. As you are passing Barony Castle it should be just to the right of you. Follow downhill to exit to your starting point in Eddleston.

Eddleston

Towns & Villages

Eddleston is a small village 4 miles north of Peebles, with the A703 road passing through the centre of the village.