The Tweed Walk to Lyne

A good circular that mainly follows the banks of the River Tweed and passes Neidpath Castle and Barns Tower, part of the Benson and Wemyss Estate.

You will pass Neidpath Viaduct, Manor Brig and Old Manor Brig on your journey each offers a short cut back to Peebles town should you not want to continue to Lyne footbridge at the head of the route.

From Greenside car park walk west and join the riverside path through Hay Lodge Park, as in Route 3. Continue past Neidpath Castle and along the former railway line to the Manor Valley Road. Cross the road and go up the steps opposite to gain access to the former railway line. This railway route was closed to passengers in the 1950s as were many other scenic routes; the branch was known as the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway. Continue to follow the line as it curves above the river, giving splendid views of the river valley and the Tweedsmuir hills beyond.

Cross the bridge over the Lyne Water. Nature note: a good opportunity to spot dippers, grey wagtails and, in summer, pied wagtails and common sandpipers. All these species frequent faster flowing water and all bob up and down as they search for insect prey. You may spot grey heron; they stand motionless to catch fish by surprise.

Go down steps on the left, then right along the lane. Continue past the houses and on a path to the footbridge over the Tweed. Nature note: Many of the elm trees have died from Dutch elm disease, but live shoots grow as suckers from the base of the trunk. The dead wood acts as host to insect larvae which in turn attract birds such as the great spotted woodpecker.

At the far side of the bridge turn left and follow the path through the wood to Millbraehead. Then join the driveway leading to Barns Tower, along which is a fine avenue of mature trees including limes and poplars. Snowberry near the buildings provides shelter for pheasants but it is an invasive species.
Barns Tower and House: The tower is typical of many such fortified houses erected in the Borders during the troubled times of the 15th and 16th centuries. It dates from the late 16th century and has a very old grated iron yett (gate). This building was recently restored to provide an unusual holiday let for which it gained a special commendation from Scottish Borders Council’s design awards in 2007.
Commissioned by James Burnet of Barns, the house was designed in 1773 by the contractor Michael Nasmyth (although James Brown of Edinburgh is listed as the architect) in a classic Georgian style, note the symmetry and simplicity of its form. Michael was the father of the well-known artist Alexander Nasmyth. The Ionic portico is considered to be a later addition; however, the three urns may be original.

Continue past the buildings and after 350m turn left along a path returning you to the riverside. Follow this very pleasant section of the river downstream for just over a kilometre. When you reach Manor Bridge ascend the steps, go over the stile and turn right. Cross the road with care, then cross Manor Water over Old Manor Brig. Continue up the road to climb the Manor Sware. The effort is worth the views gained at the top where you can stop at the viewpoint to look back down the Tweed Valley.

Continue to follow the road past the viewpoint/picnic area, after 150m take the path to the left; this will lead you into Manor Sware woodland. (Alternatively you may follow the right of way through the fields as shown on the map. This route is sign posted at the side of the road with green and white metal path signs.) After going down through the woodland for 50m turn right onto a wider path. This path winds its way through South Park Wood, gradually descending towards the river.