Tweedbank and Abbotsford

A short circular that you can start from the railway station passing by Gunknowe Loch, Abbotsford and returning on the Borders Abbeys Way (one of Scotland’s Great Trails) along the River Tweed.

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. From the Abbotsford Visitor Centre, follow the Southern Upland Way (SUW) along a tarmac path and past a modern office building, which was built to be environmentally-friendly. The green roofing system consists of sedum plants growing in soil which not only provides a natural habitat for birds, insects and plants but absorbs local nitrates and humidifies the surrounding air. Cross over the road junction and continue on the SUW through the woodland.

2. The path comes out at the entrance to Tweedbank station. Cross the road and continue on the tarmac path alongside Tweedbank Drive; cross over at the traffic lights and turn left at the next road (Craw Wood). Follow the road through the estate to the end, then follow the tarmac path between the houses and at path junction turn right through the subway under Tweedbank Drive.

3. Follow the path round the store and to the right of the restaurant to reach the edge of Gun Knowe Loch. Gun Knowe Loch is man-made, created in the 1970’s when Tweedbank was built, and is now home to a variety of waterfowl. Take the lochside path between the houses to the road by the bus shelter. Turn right and follow the pavement to the roundabout on Melrose by-pass. Cross by the island and through the gate opposite and head up towards the Abbotsford Visitor Centre.

4. On leaving the Visitor Centre turn left (fingerpost) to join the Borders Abbey Way (BAW) heading down an old lane towards a former ford crossing of the Tweed. Before reaching the river, bear right up a wide track and then pass under the modern road bridge (steps). Follow the BAW around the edge of Tweedbank through woodland before taking the path left close to the river.

5. At the path junction continue on over the boardwalk along a narrow section of path by the river Tweed and under the railway viaduct now carrying the new Borders Railway. This stone built bridge, the Redbridge Viaduct, was built in the late 1840’s to carry the Edinburgh to Hawick railway, later extended to Carlisle and known as the Waverley line. Closed to passenger traffic in 1968, it reopened in September 2015 as the Borders Railway. (To return to Tweedbank station go up a flight of steps on the right just before the railway viaduct, and turn right onto the path at the top. Follow this up to the road and continue along Tweedbank Drive to the station).

6. Otherwise continue to follow the BAW beside the Tweed passing Lowood House to finally reach the road at Lowood Bridge. Along the riverside look out for heron, oystercatcher, goosander and if you are lucky otter or kingfisher. Leave the BAW and climb the wooden steps on the right to the road and go left back to the start point.