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Kelso, Scottish Borders

Difficulty Leisurely

Walking time 3 hours

Length 11.8km / 7.3mi

Route developer: Keith Fergus

Route checker: Robin Segulem

Start location The Square, Kelso
Route Summary A 6½ mile circular walk through countryside around Kelso in the Scottish Borders.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Munro’s of Jedburgh run the 52 bus service from Edinburgh to Kelso (0871 200 2233, www.travelinescotland.com).

Description
[1] Facing the Town Hall (NT727339), turn right and follow Bridge Street by Kelso Abbey, crossing Rennie’s Bridge. Here the Teviot and Tweed converge to form the deep Junction Pool, a union that provides some of the best salmon fishing in Scotland. Turn right onto the A699. Follow the pavement alongside the River Tweed and continue as it swings left by Springwood Park, then right over a bridge crossing the River Teviot (NT720335). 
 
[2] Once past a small car park and cottage, turn left over a stone stile, go right onto a path and then drop down some steps. The path progresses easily southwest along a beautiful section of the river and the Borders Abbeys Way beside the River Teviot and soon passes by the remains of Roxburgh Castle (NT713338), which sits on top of an embankment on the right. The path then runs along field edges for just over a mile, at which point a stile on the right is crossed at a Borders Abbeys Way marker. Turn left along another field path. Two more stiles are crossed to gain a minor road (NT704313). Take a left and follow the road down through Roxburgh Mill Farm towards the village of Roxburgh.
 
[3] Before the centre of the village, turn left onto a narrow road (signposted ‘Borders Abbeys Way’), which drops down onto a rougher track signposted ‘Ferry Road’. Continue along it to reach an impressive viaduct spanning the River Teviot (NT702304). Turn left, leaving the Borders Abbeys Way, cross a wooden bridge beside the viaduct then climb a path to gain a minor road. Turn right, pass under the viaduct and follow the road as it swings left. Take a path on the left signposted ‘Kelso 2½ miles’ (NT705303).
 
[4] After about 50m, turn right onto an excellent hawthorn tree-lined track – the route of an old dismantled railway. Follow it as it heads north then northwest. There are a number of expansive views, extending to Floors Castle and the Eildon Hills. After approximately 1½ miles, the track passes by the impressive farmhouse of Maisondieu (NT716324). The house dates from the 12th century and was once apparently an asylum for pilgrims, the sickly and the impoverished. Here the track drops down and, as it swings left, go right through a wooden gate and turn left. Keep along a woodland path, which swings right to a gate on the left. Once through, the path crosses a field then passes through a gap in a fence. Turn right, follow a narrow path then go right again onto a broader track. Keep along this (which may have deep puddles along its length) until it eventually reaches Jedburgh Road on the outskirts of Kelso (NT724327).
 
[5] Turn left and descend Jedburgh Road to the B6352 at a roundabout. Make a left and, after 20m, turn right into Bridgend Park at the Millennium Viewpoint. Descend steps, walk through the park with steps climbing back to Bridge Street at Rennie’s Bridge. Walk right, back to Town Square.
POI information

The charming and lively Scottish Borders town of Kelso is built along the banks of two great rivers, the Tweed and the Teviot. This beautiful and interesting route leaves Kelso and heads along a stunning section of the River Teviot, which is home to superb flora and fauna including larch, sycamore, oak, alder, kingfisher, goldeneye, grey heron, swan and otter. The walk passes the remains of Roxburgh Castle, which, during the 1120s, became the chosen seat of King David I and remained the residence of Scottish kings for the next two centuries. During this time both the castle and the nearby village of Roxburgh prospered, but ultimately its defences weren’t strong enough. Roxburgh Castle changed hands many times between Scotland and England over the next few centuries until the early 16th century, when it was slowly dismantled and the community that had built up around it gradually faded away.

Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements

Route devised by Keith Fergus for Walk Magazine.

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