Route One.
PEEBLES ---> STANDALANE FARM ---> HAMILTON HILL ---> EDSTON HILL
--->SOUTH HILL HEAD ---> CLOCK KNOWE ---> WHITE MELDON ---> BLACK
MELDON ---> ROAD TO MELDON BRIDGE and LYNESMILL BRIDGE ---> FOOT-
BRIDGE OVER RIVER TWEED AT GRID REF. NT207397 ---> MILLBRAEHEAD
---> KIRKTON MANOR ---> CADEMUIR HILL ---> TANTAH ---> RTN. TO
PEEBLES.
Route Two.
PEEBLES ---> GALLOW HILL ---> HAYSTOUN ---> TRACK TO UPPER NEWBY
---> DEAD SIDE ---> SCAWD LAW (HUNDLESHOPE HEIGHTS) ---> BROOM HILL
---> MIDDLE HILL ---> GLENRATH HEIGHTS ---> DUN RIG ---> STAKE LAW
---> BIRKSCAIRN HILL ---> KIRKHOPE LAW ---> KAILZIE HILL ---> OLD
DROVE ROAD TO GYPSY GLEN ---> RTN. TO PEEBLES.
Route Three.
INNERLEITHEN ---> TRAQUAIR ---> ROAD, then TRACK VIA ORCHARD MAINS,
THE GLEN and SE FLANK OF CHESTER RIG TO GLENSHIEL BANK (QUAIR WATER
GLEN) ---> DUN RIG ---> Continue walk to Peebles from Dun Rig as above.
Route Four.
PEEBLES ---> TANTAH ---> CADEMUIR HILL ---> MILTON FARM ---> ROAD,
then TRACK TO HUNDLESHOPE FARM ---> TRACK UP HUNDLES HOPE TO GRID
REF. NT232346 ---> STOB LAW ---> DOOR HASS ---> BROOM HILL --->
SCAWD LAW (HUNDLESHOPE HEIGHTS) ---> DEAD SIDE ---> TRACK DOWN GLEN-
SAX TO HAYSTOUN ---> GALLOW HILL ---> RTN. TO PEEBLES.
Route Five.
INNERLEITHEN ---> CAERLEE HILL ---> KIRKLANDS HILL ---> LEE PEN --->
LEE BURN HEAD ---> MILL RIG ---> BLACK KNOWE ---> CLOG KNOWE --->
BLACK LAW ---> LEITHEN DOOR HILL ---> JOIN TRACK AT GRID REF. NT
292432 and PROCEED TO DUNSLAIR HEIGHTS ---> SHIELDGREEN KIPPS --->
TRACK DOWN TOWER RIG TO SHIELDGREEN CENTRE ---> TRACK TO GLENBIELD
---> DEAN PARK ---> RTN. TO PEEBLES.
Route Six.
PEEBLES ---> GYPSY GLEN ---> OLD DROVE ROAD TO KAILZIE HILL --->
KIRKHOPE LAW ---> BIRKSCAIRN HILL ---> BIRKS HILL ---> LITTLE CRAIGIE
SIDE ---> ORCHARD RIG ---> ORCHARD MAINS ---> TRAQUAIR --->
INNERLEITHEN.
Route Seven. PEEBLES ---> TRACK VIA VENLAW CASTLE HOTEL and CISTERN STRIP(!) TO WHITFOLD HILL (LEAVE TRACK AT GRID REF. NT262427 TO PLACE FORESTRY ON YOUR RIGHT) ---> SOUTH KNOWE ---> NORTH KNOWE ---> COLLIE LAW ---> WHITE LAW ---> MIDDLE HILL ---> WHITESIDE EDGE ---> CARDON LAW ---> MAKENESS KIPPS ---> DUNSLAIR HEIGHTS ---> TRACK DOWN GLENTRESS FOREST VIA SOONHOPE CRAIG and KITTLEGAIRY HILL TO PEEBLES HYDRO ---> RTN. TO PEEBLES.
I first stayed at Peebles for a walking break during late November/ early December 1990 (this being my induction to the Borders Hills) and have returned frequently. There is an aura of grandeur and mystery which is palpable when alone in the Manor Hills: the "stiff upper lip" disappears upon attaining the summit of Dun Rig...
A note of caution: the terrain on Broom Hill, Middle Hill, Glenrath Heights and the col between Dun Rig and Stake Law is a midden of peat hags and featherbeds (wet holes which can be in excess of twenty feet deep). The importance of leaving details of your route with a friend, neighbour or hotel/guesthouse manager cannot be over-emphasised.
Public Transport: There is a frequent bus link between Peebles and Innerleithen - First Lowland Service No. 62 (Edinburgh ---> Galashiels/Melrose). Details are available from Peebles Tourist Information Centre.
Copyright 23rd August 1999 and 19th September 1999:
RICHARD M. STANBROOK,
"Howden,"
18 Drove Road,
Langholm, Dumfriesshire DG13 OJW.