Starting from the village of Bonchester Bridge, this circular route follows farm tracks and minor roads before ascending to the fine viewpoint of Bonchester Hill, site of an iron age fort.
Bog Factor
Tarmac roads, farm tracks, grassy hill path; steep final descent.
William Laidlaw Hall car park, Bonchester Bridge.
Bus from Hawick only once daily.
NT585118
Turn off the A6088 opposite the Horse and Hounds, signed for Hobkirk, and use the parking near the recycling bins by the William Laidlaw Hall. The walk begins by continuing along this minor road towards Hobkirk. Although on tarmac, traffic is light; the road follows Lurgie's Burn at first. Pass the former school, soon reaching Hobkirk Church. Built in 1862, the baptismal font contains stone from several much older churches on sites nearby.
Continue along the road, passing Hartshaugh Mill on your left. Turn right onto a track signed for Nether Swanshiel. This climbs uphill, passing a barn and curving to the right. Further on, turn left to continue on the track. At the hill top bear left again to follow the track, passing to the right of the big agricultural sheds.
Keep straight ahead through the yards, going through a gate (waymarker) and continuing along the left edge of a field. When there's a gate in the fence on your right, pass through and then continue now with the fence over to your left. After passing a cottage, the route bears left to head to a stile. Cross this and turn right, now along the access track leading away from the cottage. Eventually this emerges on a minor road - turn left along this, heading downhill.
Keep ahead when another road joins from the right. and when a t-junction is reached turn right (signed for Newcastleton). Keep ahead at the next junction, crossing a stone bridge, then bear left at the junction shortly beyond. The route now climbs up to meet the B6357 at a t-junction; turn left (away from Newcastleton this time).
The road soon leads to another t-junction, this time with the A6088 opposite an attractive stone cottage. Turn left - signed for Bonchester Bridge. Pass the entrance to a house, and continue until the end of the next field on your right side. Here turn right, over a stile, to head up along the right side of a prominent row of trees. At the top of the field cross a stile and turn left, keeping along the field edge. The views begin to open up as height is gained; bear right to continue up the field with the fence and scattered trees on your left. Eventually a stile is reached a short distance short of the summit of Bonchester Hill. Cross it and head to the top - marked by a cairn. This is the site of an iron age fort, but only the outline of earthworks is visible. The view, however, is excellent; Rubers Law rises nearby, with the Eildon Hills beyond in the distance.
For the descent, head directly towards Bonchester Bridge, soon crossing a stile over a stone wall. Continue downhill steeply, aiming just left of the small plantation of pines. Cross a stile when these are reached to continue down a final field and emerge on a minor road opposite the entrance to a farm. Turn left along the road, then turn right when the main A6088 is reached to return to Bonchester Bridge. The Horse and Hounds looks inviting; turn left opposite it to return to the start.
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