Borders Abbeys Way: Selkirk to Melrose

Summary

A varied section of the Borders Abbeys Way climbs from Selkirk to cross open countryside on an old drove road before descending past Cauldshiels Loch to Abbotsford House - once home of Sir Walter Scott and well worth a visit. It then follows the River Tweed to reach Melrose and its Abbey.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good paths over open countryside, farmland and riverside, some sections on quiet roads.

Getting there

Start

Market Place, Selkirk.

Public Transport

Bus to both Selkirk and Melrose; the two towns are also linked by direct bus.

Start Grid Ref

NT469284

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.9km / 10.5 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 340m (Profile)

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Explorer 338 - Galashiels

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The stage begins at the Market Square in the centre of Selkirk. The prominent statue is of Sir Walter Scott, who for 32 years presided as sheriff over the courtroom behind - now a museum. Start by heading up Kirk Wynd, the street that climbs to the right of the statue. As you head up the street look out for the former parish church on the right - this was the site of the Kirk o' the Woods - reputedly the place where William Wallace ('Braveheart') was declared Guardian of Scotland, after the battle of Stirling Bridge in the War of Independence. Keep straight on at a crossroads and continue through a housing estate.

Stage 2

Further up the hill the road meets the busy A7 at the edge of town. Carefully cross this and head up the road opposite. The road leads up past a house and round a bend to the left. As it bends right shortly after - by a sign for A699 St Boswells 8 - look out for the marker post for 'Borders Abbeys Way' indicating a path on the left that slopes down gently and passes a bench. Soon it reaches a cairn and continues below a golf tee; keep left at a fork. The route heads across the slopes of Selkirk Hill which is managed by a local community group and is known for its wild flowers. Follow the marked path which soon descends slightly to pass a pavilion building.

Stage 3

Behind the pavilion head up the steps to the right. The route now follows a wide grassy stretch before meeting a path at a T junction; turn left here. The path leads to a gate by some houses - go through the gate and follow the track to the right. The track leads on through several gates before a marker post indicates where to leave it and head into a field on the left. Cross the field diagonally to another gate, but instead of going through this turn left and continue uphill with the fence and hedge on your right. At the top corner, turn right through a gate and continue ahead until the path emerges on a minor road at Shawmount.

Stage 4

Go straight ahead along the tarmac road for a little over a kilometre, with good views over the Ettrick Valley to the left. The road passes below a transmitter mast. Immediately after a short section of woodland turn left onto a driveway and then fork right through a gate onto a muddier track. This leads downhill beside the trees to reach another road. Go straight across this and follow the rough track uphill along the field edge opposite. This old route passes to the left of a small plantation and through several gates; the waymarkers are infrequent on this stretch but the route keeps following the drystone wall. There are superb views over to the left as the route crosses the flanks of these rolling grassy hills.

Stage 5

Keep ahead with the drystone wall on your right as the way descends and passes through more gates, becoming a better defined track as it leads past a barn. There are glimpses of Cauldshiels Loch over to the right; soon a waymarker post indicates where to leave the track and turn right along the edge of the woods. As the path nears the loch turn left and follow it to reach a picnic area by the loch shores. Turn sharply left here to head to a small car park.

Stage 6

Go through the car park and follow the track down to the road and turn right. There are good views of the Eildon Hills ahead. Turn left at the junction and follow this until a T junction where you turn left to pass a farm before descending to the B6360 at Abbotsford. The house was the home of novelist Sir Walter Scott and is worth a visit if time allows. Otherwise cross the road and head down the track, turning right onto a path just before the river and heading under the bypass.

Stage 7

Turn left onto a surfaced path for a short distance before continuing on a grassy path at a bend, soon bearing left to rejoin the riverside. The Redbridge Viaduct can be seen ahead, turn left onto a path to pass under the viaduct and continue along the riverside in front of Lowood House. The red sandstone of Lowood Bridge can be seen ahead before the path goes through some woodland before turning left onto a drive to reach the main road.

Stage 8

Cross the road and head right on the pavement before branching left onto a path once more. This passes Skirmish Hill where two powerful groups of nobles fought over the then 14 year old King James 5th. The route now follows a lovely grassy riverside section shared with the Southern Upland Way. Continue along the river, ignoring the shorter routes into Melrose, to pass the Chain Bridge. Continue ahead on the track and turn right at the road to reach Melrose Abbey.

Next stage: Melrose to Kelso

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