This circuit from the attractive planned village of Newcastleton heads up to the east before cutting through the forest and visiting the site of the original village it replaced. There is a moderate amount of roadwalking.
Some sections on roads (care needed), tracks and clear paths, with some wet ground underfoot.
Bus to Newcastleton.
Douglas Square, Newcastleton.
There is ample parking in Douglas Square in the centre of Newcastleton. The village - also known as Copshaw Holm - was built in 1793 on a grid pattern, replacing the older village of Castleton whose site is visited on this route. From the square head southeast (Doncaster Street) to reach the Liddel Water.
Turn right here along Liddle Street, whose houses are attractively set facing the river. When the road bends right continue ahead along a path by the river to reach Holm Bridge. Join the road, turning left over Holm Bridge, and keep straight ahead on a minor road when the larger road bends right.
Remain on the tarred road when it bends left and then right, passing a house with holiday cottages and continuing ahead along the tarmac road to Dykecrofts, and again ahead on the now rougher track that leads on towards a Forestry Commission parking area at Priesthill.
Immediately before Priesthill car park (start of several waymarked walks) fork left onto a track that descends to the burn. Cross the footbridge and then continue on the stony-surfaced track that climbs beyond, keeping straight ahead at any junctions. The track soon becomes a grassy path and is somewhat soggy in places, though good views open up ahead between the trees down Liddesdale. Keep straight ahead at junctions; when the path forks, take the slight left branch (waymarked routes go right here).
The path now descends and curves left; at the next clear path junction, go right to curve round to reach a footbridge and then climb up to the track by the house at Byreholm. Follow the track to reach the B6357 road. The way back to Newcastleton is to turn left along the road, but before doing so make a short detour to the right to visit Castleton cemetery. Just beyond this a grassy earthworks marks the site of Liddel Castle, whilst a little further still on the opposite side is an old market cross standing in a field. This is the site of the original village of Castleton.
Return along the road, passing the track to Byreholm again and taking care along the tarmac. Pass the old Parish Church, now closed; Walter Scott was once minister here. At the road junction keep left, crossing the bridge over Hermitage Water.
After just under 1km turn right onto the track towards Roan Farm. At this point it is possible to extend the walk by including the Woolhope loop; otherwise turn left onto a track which runs along the route of the old railway line, parallel to the road. At the Black Burn the road is rejoined briefly before a footpath sign beside a wooden bench indicates a path heading downhill to the left. Follow this down to the riverbank and follow it back to Liddle Street. Finally a right turn up Whitchester Street leads back to the square.
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