Melrose to Innerleithen

Summary

After a short stretch along the beautiful River Tweed, the trail takes a complex path on the valley slopes above Galashiels. After climbing over an intervening hiil, there is a scenic ridge walk through forests and over high moorland hills to Traquair and on to Innerleithen which has all services.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good paths and tracks throughout, route often following Southern Upland Way signs. Grazing animals - keep dogs under tight control.

Getting there

Start

Melrose centre.

Public Transport

Bus services at Melrose and Innerleithen, trains at nearby Tweedbank.

Start Grid Ref

NT547339

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Services

Melrose is a very attractive Borders town with all facilities. Innerleithen at the end of the stage is likewise a town with all facilities.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 30.5km / 19 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 832m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

Melrose has a lovely mix of buildings, and like many of the Borders towns, a number of traditional and characterful pubs as well as its famous Abbey. Begin by heading west along High Street. At the bottom of the street cross Buccleuch Street and continue on the right hand side of the road to pass the rugby ground and park. Once beyond this cross St Mary's Road and take the surfaced path which heads diagonally right, passing to the right of imposing parish church. The path soon passes to the right of the bowling club and heads down to the River Tweed. Turn left here to head upstream

Stage 2

When the route meets a road it heads straight across (following SUW markers) through a parking area and along a cycle path. This emerges on a road in an industrial area; turn right and then immediately go straight ahead onto a path at the t-junction. The route now runs alongside the newly restored Borders railway line, soon crossing a viaduct over the Tweed. Turn left at the road. A short way down, take a path on the left (signed for the Southern Upland Way) into trees. Go straight ahead across a field and under the A6091 at a car park and continue ahead on the riverside path. The path soon runs alongside a road before desending to the riverbank where there are views across to Abbotsford House, home of Sir Walter Scott. The path then climbs back up and joins a tarmac road and soon reaches the A7.

Stage 3

Cross carefully, taking the SUW signed path on the left up steps to reach a road. Cross this diagonally to the right to pick up a lane heading uphill. Go through a gate and stay on the track through fields. At the end of the field turn right following a track (signed SUW) up another large field with good views down to Abbotsford on the right. Continue onto a wooden lane that descends towards Galashiels. It emerges oton Barr Road follow this to a t-junction with Elm Row, then turn right and then second left towards Galashiels Academy. Take a right towards Waverley Nursing Home and follow a tarmac path through the park keeping the school on your left. At the far corner of the park cross a small footbridge and turn left towards the swimming pool but before you reach it turn almost immediately left onto a path into the woods signed SUW.

Stage 4

Follow the SUW signs up through the woods. After a footbridge turn left and keep following the signs for the SUW. The path now climbs through fields and a small woodland with good views back over Galashiels at a cairn. After a col the route continues southwest, passing between two small plantations on Hog Hill. Follow a grassy path across grazing land above Calfshaw, soon descending through a belt of trees on a track. It then bends left for the final descent to Fairnilee Farm. At the main A707 road turn left, crossing the impressive three-span Yair Bridge over the River Tweed.

Stage 5

Once over the bridge turn right along an estate road. Just beyond the house at Yair the route turns left (signed for the Southern Upland Way) to head up the glen of the Shorthope Burn. Cross over a forest track and continue the climb until the edge of the forest is reached with open moorland beyond. Turn right alongside the forest edge for the climb up to the Three Brethren - a group of impressive hilltop cairns and a good viewpoint.

Stage 6

The route now heads west (left) along the ridge. This old drove round - which dates back to the 13th century - leads across the north side of Broomy Law keeping a stone wall on your left, before reaching a col with a stile - Four Lord's Lands. The route climbs up to Brown Knowe at 523m, the summit is marked by a cairn. On the approach to Hare Law the moorland narrows to a strip with forestry off to either side, and soon climbs across the northern slopes of Minch Moor. Cross a forestry track to continue on a track ahead soon passing a mast on your left.

Stage 7

At the high point a sign indicates where you can detour to the summit viewpoint, continue ahead here soon heading slightly downhill. A tiny spring marked by two stones is now reached on your left - the Cheese Well. It is thought that travellers once left cheese or food here as luck for their journey. Further on at Pipers Knowe the remains of an artwork, rings burnt into the heather, are just about visible ahead. The path descends crossing two forestry tracks (the first a slight dog leg to the right).

Stage 8

Keep heading downhill and once out of the trees the path bears left before curving right to head directly for Traquair. Keep straight on the main track to pass houses on your left and then the village hall before arriving at the road junction where there is a sandstone war memorial. Cross the road here, and then take the off-road path on the right that runs parallel to the Innerleithen road. When it reaches the B709 turn left to cross Tweed Bridge and continue into Innerleithen.

Stage 9

The path soon leads into woodland. When it emerges at a tarmac driveway, go straight across and continue on the far side. A short distance further on a t-junction with a track is reached. Go left here, pass through the gate and then bear right, passing through two pedestrian gates. The path now continues ahead until it meets the Innerleithen road opposite a car park. Cross the road, then turn left along the path on the far side that runs parallel to the road. This ends at the road bridge - cross this and continue ahead into the town of Innerleithen. The Scottish National Trail takes a left turn onto the cyclepath to Cardrona just after a warehouse - whereas for shops, services and accommodation, continue ahead to the centre of town.

Next stage: Innerleithen to Peebles

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