Starting from the characterful town of Kelso, this beautiful low-level circular walk heads out along the banks of the River Teviot to a grand viaduct, before returning along the route of an old railway line.
Bog Factor
Pavements beside road at start and end; riverside stretch follows waymarked Borders Abbey Way; return along railway path.
The Knowes car park, Kelso.
Kelso has regular bus services.
NT729338
The walk begins from the Knowes car park, near the Abbey in Kelso town centre. Begin the walk by heading across the park in front of the Abbey. The ruins here are less extensive than Melrose or Jedburgh, but remain a fine example of Scottish monastic architecture. Founded in the twelfth century, the abbey was one of the wealthiest in Scotland. The lovely cobbled square at the heart of Kelso is off to the right, but our walk turns left after the Abbey to pass along the main road signed as a cyclepath to Jedburgh. The first half of this walk, from this point, is also waymarked as part of the Borders Abbeys Way.
Continue along the pavement to cross Kelso Bridge over the mighty River Tweed. There are great views along the river to Floors Castle, one of the largest in Scotland. On the far side of the bridge turn right, still on a roadside pavement, signed for St Boswells and Selkirk. The road runs alongside the Tweed with the town well-seen across the water. Below - but unseen - is the Junction Pool where the Teviot flows into the Tweed - a famed spot amongst fishermen. Continue by the road as it turns right, crossing a stone bridge over the Teviot. Continue for 200m or so until a gate on the left side, signed for the Borders Abbeys Way. Go through it and turn right along the riverside path.
The path soon descends steps down to the river and the next part of the walk is a delight, passing along the tree-clad banks of the Teviot. Look out for the crumbling remains of Roxburgh Castle high above you atop the grassy banks - this twelth century fortification has been fought over many times, with its strategic position close to the border with England. Further on, the path crosses a stile and continues along the picturesque riverbank. After around 2km Heiton Mill comes into view on the far side of the river, and the path bears right to continue along a field edge high above the Teviot. Eventually the path turns right along the edge of a field, and then left by a shed to reach a minor road. Turn left along the road.
Continue along the road, which bends right to head through the scattered village of Roxburgh. Further on the Borders Abbey Way goes off to the left - leave it here and continue along the road. Keep ahead at a junction, then - as the road passes through a gap in an old railway line - turn left through the gate on the left to take a track that climbs up onto the bed of the old railway. Continue along this. Soon it crosses a viaduct high above the river, giving spectacular views.
On the far side, continue along the route of the old railway, which leads eventually back to Kelso. At a fork keep left, and further on ignore the path off to Heiton. Pass under an old bridge, and continue with good views over the countryside; Floors Castle can be seen once more. Ignore another path off left and keep ahead. Eventually a track joins in from the left, and then the route reaches a road near the edge of town.
Turn left along the road, heading through housing. It leads eventually to a mini-roundabout; turn left here. Almost immediately the 'Millenium Viewpoint' is reached looking towards the old town centre; turn right here and descend the steps, crossing the park and rejoining the road by Kelso Bridge. Turn right to cross the bridge and retrace your steps back to the start.
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