This enjoyable short walk on the Bowhill Estate follows an attractively wooded stretch of the Yarrow Water to reach the imposing ruin of Newark Castle. There is a charge for admission to the estate at certain times of year.
Bog Factor
Good waymarked paths and tarred lanes.
Bowhill car park.
None to start; nearest bus stop is Selkirk rugby ground.
NT424278
Park in the official car park for Bowhill Estate and House. There is an information board detailing the walks here; it is well worth doing the short Lochs walk to get the best views of the impressive country house, home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. To begin the Lady's walk - which is waymarked throughout with red arrows - head down the tarred access drive back the way you came. Pass the admission hut and go straight on at the cross roads beyond, and then fork left once there are open fields to your right.
When the lane meets another go straight ahead onto a footpath. This descends through the trees with glimpses of the Yarrow Water below on the right. When the path forks, keep right, continuing the descent until the riverbank is reached. The path now continues upstream beside the water through very attractive woodland.
Soon a flight of wooden steps is reached; ascend this to meet a path at a t-junction. The route continues to the right here, but before heading that way it is worth making the detour to visit the wooden summerhouse at the top of the woods - it is beautifully made internally and commands a fine view up the valley towards Newark Castle. Return to the main path which soon rejoins the riverside.
Cross a small ornamental stone bridge over a tributary. Keep straight ahead when a path goes off left and soon there are views to Newark Castle up a hill to the left. Continue by the river, passing but not crossing an iron footbridge. The path leads to a house and then joins the driveway just beyond it; bear left here to follow the drive which swings left beneath the castle and climbs up to reach a junction with a lane. The return walk goes straight ahead along the lane, but before doing so it is worth a short detour to the right to visit Newark Castle.
This imposing tower was built in 1423 and belonged to the Douglas family, though it was later gifted to the Scotts. In 1645, following the Battle of Philliphaugh in the Covenanter's wars, 100 prisoners were slaughtered in the courtyard. After admiring the walls from the outside, retrace your steps along the tarred lane and continue ahead until a t-junction.
Turn left here past the cottages and continue along the estate road until the outward route is rejoined at the foot of the access drive up to Bowhill House. Turn right to head back up to the car park.
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