The Hanging Tree

A short circular in Newcastleton Forest following an old drove road and passing by The Hanging Tree.

You will also pass Pouterlampert, an old farm recorded in 1376 as being owned by the Armstrongs until 1632; having been abandoned for nearly 200 years all that remains are low turf walls.

Newcastleton is the nearest village to this route and has a variety of facilities and amenities.


Park at Forestry and Land Scotland car park, Priesthill. For this route, follow red waymarks. Head down the track from the car park and cross the Whithaugh Burn by the footbridge. This was once a ford where an old county turnpike road crossed the burn. The spot was said to be haunted by fairies and by the spirits of the dead from Castleton churchyard, and a sign read ‘No Road This Way After Dark’. It is a more peaceful spot now.

Go up the track on the other side. Initially stony, it soon becomes grassy, providing an excellent surface. After a short climb, the track levels out with a widening view ahead leading the eye to the distant bulk of Arnton Fell. Pass the junction where the Viewpoint comes in from the left and in a further 150 metres, fork right.

Pass through an area of fine mature trees including several old Scots pines. The view of Liddesdale has now really opened up. On the right is the site of the former farmstead of Belshiels, long since abandoned. The people who lived here would have planted some of the trees we admire today. Reach a field corner and continue along the fence for a short distance. The path then curves away from the fence.

At the edge of the young plantation, where the Drove Road Walk goes right, go straight ahead through the trees. At the far side of the plantation the path drops to meet a forest road. Turn left and in 50 metres go sharply right on a narrow grass path into more mature conifers. There are primroses here in spring.

Before long, a short branch path on the right leads to the reputed site of a ‘hanging tree’, one of many where the rough ‘Borders justice’ was administered in the turbulent times of the past. Various trees were used; in this case it was an ash.

The path continues past the site of Pouterlampart, once a large farm recorded as far back as 1376. It was held by Armstrongs until 1632 but has been abandoned for at least 200 years and all that remains are low turf walls. Continue on the final section of the walk, the grassy path winding pleasantly through the trees.

After crossing a burn, the path rises before passing through a stand of superb tall conifers. The path swings right for the final descent to the car park, passing another abandoned farmstead, called Priesthill.