Hiking In The Borders

Yesterday was good for hill walking-TheTamshee and the good lady tackled the Selkirk to Melrose stretch of the Border Abbeys Way. Dropped the Indy Kids at school, then headed for Shawmount, taking a left at the stables opposite the Lindean Mast-just a few hundred yards before Halfcrown Corner "so called after the half crown payment that was made by Sunderland Hall estates as a reward to the men who originally planted the woodland here in the mid 1800's The track is part of the ancient drove roads-keeping the dyke on your right over Whitelaw Kips and onto Foldonside Moor continue until you reach Cauldshiels Loch. The views over this stretch are wide open to the Eildons Hills beyond. The trail continues onwards to Abbotsford House "originally Cartleyhole" but renamed and lived in by Sir Walter Scott between 1812-1832. Follow the path by the River Tweed until you reach the Redbridge Viaduct. This stone bridge was built in the late 1840's to carry the Edinburgh to Hawick railway which opened in 1849 The line was later extended to Carlisle but services on this route ceased in 1969. Pass under the viaduct and continue along the river track passed the front of Lowood House. We stopped on the river bank here for lunch while observing a Grey Heron scanning the river for some tasty morsels.

The route passes the Lowood Bridge, Waverley Castle Hotel through the lade to Abbey Mill and onto the Chain Bridge and finally ending at Melrose Abbey. Duration 3.5hours with various stops en-route. Enjoy