Whitmuir Loch, Lindean Loch and Selkirk Hill

A good circular exploring the countryside east of the town passing Selkirk’s old racecourse, Whitmuir Loch and the east end of Lindean Loch before returning to the start up Selkirk Hill.

Whitmuir Loch is surrounded by dense aquatic vegetation providing a good habitat for water rails but obscuring it from human view. You will pass through Lindean Loch Nature Reserve which is a haven for small birds waterfowl and wildflowers varying throughout the year.

1. Leave the car park next to the A699, Selkirk to St Boswells road, adjacent to the golf course on Selkirk Hill and climb the wooden steps on the left hand side (with your back to the road.) Follow the path as it travels alongside a wall, then a fence, for about 400m until you reach a metal gate.

2. Go over the ladder stile here by the gate, then follow the track as it goes along a line of trees. After passing another stile continue for 100m. When you reach a strip of hardwood trees pass through the kissing gate on the left.

3. Keeping the trees on your right, walk uphill to the top of the strip until you reach the wall. Go through the double field gates and onto Gala Rig. Go through a gate in the wall further down and follow the line of the wall on the right as it follows the former racecourse.

4. After 200m turn diagonally left along a path and continue downhill until you come to a hunt gate in the wall ahead. Do not pass through the gate but turn left and follow the path as it takes you parallel to Whitmuirhall Loch. You may see water rail, reed bunting and sedge warblers.

5. Do not go over the stile but follow the fence as it climbs along the woodland edge, swinging left to follow the wall on your right. Continue to the end of the old racecourse. Turn right over a stile onto a track.

6. Follow the track as it passes between the wood and the fence, then enters a field by a stile. Walk along the field for a short distance before exiting onto a minor road through a kissing gate.

7. Turn left onto the road. Follow the road to a T-junction where you turn right. After 100m cross the road with care to join the track that passes on the right hand side of a woodland.

8. Follow the path as it continues along between two fences, pass through a gate and over a burn. Shortly after the burn the path swings to the right. At this bend look to your left where you will see the remains of an Iron Age fort.

9. After 200m go through a gate and turn left. Follow this field margin for a further 200m and go through the next gate. You are now at Lindean Loch Nature Reserve.

10. Turn left and follow the loch side round to a gate on your left. Go through the gate and follow the field margin, with the wall on your left and the television mast on your right, until you reach a minor road.

11. Turn left along the road. After 500m you will come to a group of buildings on your right. Turn left off the road and immediately turn right through a small gate. Follow the Borders Abbeys Way until the track bends right, after crossing a burn you reach a gate on the left.

12. Go through the gate and take the left hand fork, you are now on Selkirk Hill. Follow this up to the old skating pond and turn right. Follow the edge of the pond and beyond to reach a fence/wall. Turn left and follow the fence/wall for 150m. Then turn right following the boundary to return to the road and your starting point.