Borders Abbeys Way: Kelso to Jedburgh

Summary

This part of the Borders Abbeys Way runs from the fine Georgian town of Kelso to the magnificent ruined Abbey at Jedburgh. The way runs along the banks of the River Teviot for much of the way, together with a stretch along the old railway line. The walking is mostly level.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Riverside paths - rough underfoot in places - together with a lengthy section along the old railway line.

Getting there

Start

Market Square, Kelso.

Public Transport

Bus to both Kelso and Jedburgh; the two towns are also linked by a direct bus.

Start Grid Ref

NT727339

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 205m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the large cobbled square in the centre of Kelso, which is surrounded by some fine Georgian architecture. The dominant building is the Town House with its clocktower; the lower floor houses a tourist information centre. Facing out from the front of the Town House, head for Bridge Street which leaves the far left corner of the square. This leads past the ruins of the Abbey before curving round to cross the bridge over the River Tweed.

Stage 2

There are views up the Tweed to Floors Castle - home of the Dukes of Roxburghe and the largest inhabited castle in Scotland. Turn right at the junction - signed A699 for Selkirk - and continue along the pavement, with good views back over the Tweed to the town and its Abbey. As the road bends left note the meeting of the River Teviot with the Tweed ahead - the 'Junction Pool' here is a legendary spot for salmon fishermen. Continue along the pavement beside the road; it soon bends to the right and crosses a fine bridge over the Teviot. When the pavement runs out the walk leaves the road at last and heads instead upstream beside the river. Soon the route passes beneath a high green bank on the right topped with some old stonework - this is the remains of Roxburgh Castle, once an important fortress built by King David I. It protected the once prosperous town of the same name - of which almost no trace remains, an economic victim of the loss of its nearest port at Berwick upon Tweed to the English.

Stage 3

The path continues upstream; it is a little rough but there are plenty of benches along the way, some of which offer cover from any rain. After a stile the path slopes up to the right before running along the edge of a field - note Heiton Mill on the far side of the river, now converted to houses.

Stage 4

Continue along the edge of a second field before the waymarker indicates a right turn by the fence to reach a stile and a minor road beyond. Turn left along the road, passing through the farmyard at Roxburgh Mill and continuing into the hamlet of Roxburgh. Leave the road by turning left onto a track which leads back down to the riverbank, then turn right to resume the walk upstream. It now passes beneath the fine Roxburgh viaduct; the railway may be no more but the 14 arches still reach 70 feet above the river. Beyond the viaduct the track soon becomes a path and the riverbanks are more richly wooded.

Stage 5

On the far side is the Horse Cave, where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have hidden his horse in 1745. Eventually the Way leaves the river and curves right by a drystone wall before climbing a flight of wooden steps to join the route of the old railway line; turn left along it. The next 4.75km lie almost all along the line, though a missing bridge soon necessitates dropping down steps to the left to turn left along a minor road before a quick right turn follows a track back up onto the old rail route.

Stage 6

Keep straight ahead when several other tracks run across the route, continuing until a minor road is met by a house. Here turn left on the road and cross the iron box bridge over the Teviot. On the far side turn right and follow a faint path along the top of a flood embankment. Cross a stile and continue along the bank until a waymarker indicates where to leave it and instead head alongside the river. There are views ahead to the prominent Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh. After a stile the route turns left away from the river along a dirt track before turning right again at a signpost. With a fishing hut on the riverbank visible ahead, the route turns left once again to follow a raised grassy track. This is followed to the main A698 road.

Stage 7

Cross this busy road with care and turn right along the grass verge on the far side. Almost immediately turn left onto a minor road, and then fork left onto a farm track. The route ahead may appear humble today, but this next section lies along the route of Dere Street - a Roman Road which stretched from York to the Firth of Forth. Follow Dere Street as it leads uphill before reaching a waymarker post. St Cuthbert's Way (which was joined from the A698) continues ahead here, but our route turns right.

Stage 8

Follow the track, dropping to the right to pass beneath the fine house at Mount Ulston. Beyond this the track soon becomes a tarred road; keep ahead when another minor road joins from the right. Keep straight ahead and continue until the road meets the very busy A68. Cross this with care and take a tarmac path opposite that runs alongside the River Jed. Keep on the riverside path between industrial buildings and the Jed; soon the far bank rises in a sandstone cliff. After a weir the path leaves the river and joins a road; head along this; just before reaching the A68 the Way turns right to cross an old stone bridge over the river. Continue along the street, soon curving round to the left, and turn left at a T junction. As the A68 is approached again, turn left down a tarmac ramp to pass beneath the road, now continuing once more on a path beside the Jed. The path leads past a picturesque bridge and old cottages.

Stage 9

Do not cross the bridge but keep on the riverside path, eventually passing back beneath the A68. The path emerges on a road opposite the imposing ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, one of the most magnificent in Scotland. It was founded by King David I in 1138 but the site had previously been an important church for several centuries. Turn right along the road which climbs up past the Abbey and war memorial. It then curves left to reach the attractive square at the heart of Jedburgh - note the Unicorn on the Mercat Cross.

Next stage: Jedburgh to Hawick

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