Section L: Further Borders Walks.


Route One.
CROOK INN, TWEEDSMUIR ---> HEARTHSTANE FARM ---> TRACK TO BROAD LAW ---> DESCEND SOUTH VIA CAIRN LAW and FANS LAW TO MEGGET STONE ---> FOLLOW ROAD TO TALLA LINNFOOTS and NE SIDE OF TALLA RESER- VOIR ---> TWEEDSMUIR VILLAGE.

Route Two.
BROUGHTON ---> ROAD (unclassified) VIA DREVA CRAIG (situated approx. 200 yards from road at Grid Ref. NT126354), DREVA and ALTARSTONE TO B712 AT GRID REF. NT165357 ---> PROCEED ON B712 and TAKE TRACK ON YOUR RIGHT AT GRID REF. NT175364 ---> FOLLOW TRACK, then PATH to DEAD WIFE'S GRAVE ---> CONTINUE ON PATH THROUGH PLANTATION TO GRID REF. NT198347 and TURN LEFT ONTO FOREST TRACK ---> FOLLOW TRACK TO ROAD (Glen Manor) AT GRID REF. NT212352 ---> PROCEED NORTH ALONG ROAD and TURN RIGHT AT THE GLACK ---> KIRKTON MANOR ---> OLD MANOR BRIDGE ---> MANOR SWARE ---> PEEBLES. From Kirkton Manor, Cademuir Hill can be visited and thence to Peebles (Section F, Route One).

Route Three.
CRAIG DOUGLAS (on A708 at Grid Ref. NT293245) ---> TAKE TRACK NNW TO BLACKHOUSE TOWER, then GO LEFT (NW) UP DOUGLAS BURN GLEN TO TRACK JUNCTION AT GRID REF. NT273277 ---> TURN RIGHT (NORTH) and PROCEED TO GRID REF. NT273287, then TAKE PATH* ON YOUR LEFT ---> PEAT HILL ---> DUN RIG ---> STAKE LAW ---> BIRKSCAIRN HILL ---> KIRKHOPE LAW ---> KAILZIE HILL ---> OLD DROVE ROAD TO GYPSY GLEN ---> PEEBLES. * On the O.S.Outdoor Leisure Map 44, there are two paths indicated which commence from approximately the same grid coordinate (NT273287). It is the more northerly of the two which conforms to the actual ground situation. As for the other path (heading NNW across Whiteknowe Head), I am mystified...

Route Four.
BENTPATH ---> PROCEED TO ROAD JUNCTION AT GRID REF. NY296916 ---> TURN NORTH and GO TO CROOKS (Grid Ref. NY297922) ---> FELL HILL ---> KIRK GILL HILL ---> GREAT HILL ---> GLENSAXON FELL/WOLFHOPE HEAD ---> BROAD HEAD ---> TRACK DOWN THACKY SIKE and JOCK'S HOPE TO BURNGRAINS ---> BUSH OF EWES ---> A7 ROAD TO GRID REF. NY368899 ---> WRAE HILL ---> POTHOLM HILL ---> CASTLE HILL ---> PATHHEAD ---> LANGHOLM. Alternative route from Wolfhope Head: ---> MELLION MUIR ---> LONGGRAIN HEAD ---> MEG'S SHANK ---> CRUMPTON HILL ---> ADDERGILL HILL ---> BAUCHLE HILL ---> GOLF HILL ---> POTHOLM ---> PATH VIA LANGFAULD WOOD and CASTLE HOLM TO LANGHOLM. Please note: the terrain on Great Hill, Wolfhope head and Broad Head is very treacherous due to dense heather concealing peat fissures. Proceed with utmost caution.

Route Five.
BUSH OF EWES ---> TRACK TO RIGFOOT ---> BELLSTONE RIG ---> ROUGH- BANK HEIGHT ---> BROAD HEAD ---> WOLFHOPE HEAD/GLENSAXON FELL ---> GREAT HILL ---> WHITE KNOWE ---> THE RIGG ---> TRACK DOWN RIG BURN GLEN TO WESTERHALL FARM ---> BENTPATH. Caution: see footnote to Route Four.

Route Six.
ARKLETON ---> TRACK VIA BITTLESTON SHANK, AULDSHIELS HILL and BIRCH CLEUCH TO BRIDGE AT GRID REF. NY414894 ---> TRACK DOWN GLEN TARRAS TO TARRAS LODGE ---> NEWCASTLETON/LANGHOLM ROAD TO GRID REF. NY 391865 ---> TERRONA HILL ---> HUGH McDIARMID MEML. ---> WHITA HILL ---> DESCEND TO LANGHOLM.

Route Seven.
NEWCASTLETON ---> BLACKBURN BRIDGE ---> BLACK BURN GLEN PATH TO BRIDGE AT GRID REF. NY474891 ---> BENTS RIG ---> HOG GILL SPOUT ---> BLACKBURN FALLS ---> GOAT LINN ---> HAZELYSIDE HILL ---> JOIN LANGHOLM/NEWCASTLETON ROAD AT GRID REF. NY459877 ---> BEDDA HILL ---> PARK HILL ---> GOLF COURSE and JOHN BYERS MEMORIAL ---> RTN. TO NEWCASTLETON.

All the walks outlined in Sections A to L start at locations which are well served by public transport. The longer excursions can be safely completed within eight hours at the most, thereby ensuring that, provided you have checked travel times, you will not miss your all-important last bus. However, please bear in mind that a restricted service operates on Sundays, thereby rendering some of the walks/through-routes impracticable. Obviously, this problem does not arise for car users, but I have deliberately compiled these rambles for those who prefer to travel on public transport.


Copyright 23rd August 1999 and 19th September 1999:
RICHARD M. STANBROOK,
"Howden,"
18 Drove Road,
Langholm, Dumfriesshire DG13 OJW.