The Toll house Circular

This is a pleasant short circular route crossing the Leithen Water and the River Tweed over the Haughhead Viaduct part of the infrastructure of the old railway line.

Haughhead Viaduct was a railway bridge and is category B listed, comprising six-spans with a combination of stone piers and iron girders. The Toll House once collected money to fund the road works that were undertaken by Turnpike Trusts after 1751.

1. Leave the car park nr the Toll House by going down to the river on a well defined path and through a gate. Take a right and follow the river bank for approx 1.5km. Look out for dippers and goosanders on the river. There are interesting alder trees dotted along the riverside, the only native hardwood that grows cones. In spring redpolls will feed in groups on these trees.

2. Go up onto the multi-use railway path and turn right, this leads back to Traquair Road after 800m. Innerleithen railway bridge was part of the infrastructure for the Peebles to Galashiels railway line. The bridge is known as the Haughhead Viaduct and is category B listed. The construction is a combination of stone piers and iron girders and comprises six spans. The bridge has been altered to allow passage for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders; a water main is also carried.

3. Cross the road with care and turn right to follow the pavement to Tweedbank Ley. Turn left into this street and near the end of it turn left again. Follow the path round until a long tarmac path is ahead of you. Do not follow this long path, turn right in between houses, cross Leithen Mills and continue onto the small bridge that crosses the Leithen Water. Keep straight on, between sheds, to reach Princes Street.

4. Turn right onto Princes Street and after 30m take a left along the back of the houses along a rough and muddy path. After 300m you will meet with the hard cycle path, follow this over the old railway bridge. At the other side go down to your right and follow the path onto the back road, turn right and follow this until you come to the junction. Turn right onto Traquair Road and head back to Innerleithen and/or your car on the other side of the road bridge.