Some of Scotland’s finest hills and mountains lie south of the Highland Boundary fault-line, with the Borders home to some excellent walking. A trip to the attractive town of Peebles and into Glensax is a customary destination for many, which is understandable as the nearby ascent of the Donald of Dun Rig is a fantastic route. However, rising on the western side of Glensax are the equally wonderful hills of Hundleshope, Preston Law and Newby Kipps. Like their better-known neighbours, it’s a superb high-level walk, with lovely wildlife and a real sense of space bestowed on the walker. Although this route ventures across well-worn paths, the hills are quiet with the aforementioned Dun Rig or the higher Moffat mountains proving more popular. As a result, these hills feel uncluttered and give full reign to the superb, uninterrupted views across Southern Scotland that are the hallmark of the rolling Borders landscape.
[1] From the end of Glen Road (NT259392), just before the entrance into Gypsy Glen, turn right into a private road (walkers are welcome, vehicles are not). Make your way south towards Haystoun through peaceful woodland.
Great views extend towards the broad flanks of Hundleshope Heights.
Once past the scattering of large, attractive houses at Haystoun (NT258384) and a lovely lochan, the single-track road continues into Glensax to eventually reach the farm of Upper Newby (NT266371).
[2] Pass by the farm and a small wood, then turn right from the road to climb a steep embankment on to a ridge below the ominously titled Dead Side. Bear left onto a broad, grassy path beside the remains of an old settlement (NT267368) and follow the path as it climbs gradually south, past another settlement (NT268361), onto Dead Side (NT265355).
Even at this modest height the view is superb, particularly north over Peebles and east across the narrow defile of Glensax onto the sharp slopes of Kailzie Hill, Kirkhope Law and Dun Rig – the highest point of the Glensax Horseshoe.
The route continues to follow Dead Side’s lengthy ridge, then climbs in a southwest direction with the walking easy and extremely enjoyable. A flatter section of moorland over gorgeous heathery slopes heads towards Hundleshope Heights, with a final, slightly steeper climb leading to the trig point (NT250339). The true summit actually lies a few metres to the west.
(A) Hundleshope Heights is the highest point of the day and a superb panorama over the Borders, towards Galloway and the Pentland Hills, is on show.
[3] From the broad summit, descend a faint track northeast to a line of grouse butts that sit in a line on a flatter plateau of moorland (NT255345). The path then bears left and heads northwest to reach a line of fence-posts. Turn right here and follow the fence as it climbs gradually northeast to reach the summit of Preston Law (NT253352).
The northern side of Preston Law is steep, so gives a fabulous vantage point to look towards Newby Kipps and over the likes of Cademuir Hill.
Continue northeast down the steep path over heathery ground and, about halfway down, cross the fence to pick up another path. Follow the fence (now on your right) and then a wall, climbing the steep slopes on to Newby Kipps (NT260363) and perhaps the most fulfilling (and unexpected) part of the day.
(B) A small outcrop of rock provides a truly exceptional vantage point, high above Glensax, with the views extending for miles.
[4] The descent from Newby Kipps is again steep. The path heads down east past a conifer plantation towards a small segment of woodland. As the ground flattens, turn left and head towards a break in the trees (NT264365) to pick up a track, which heads north back through Upper Newby farm (NT266371). Once through the farm, turn left onto the outward-bound single-track road and follow this through Glensax back to Haystoun and Peebles.