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Southern Upland Way 8: St Mary's Loch to Traquair

Summary

Beautiful lochside walking followed by a moorland crossing with fine views make this a very enjoyable stage.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Well-signposted paths and tracks with no difficulties.

Getting there

Start

former Tibbie Shiel's Inn, St Mary's Loch.

Public Transport

Limited bus at Traquair (regular buses from Innerleithen 3km on off road path), no buses to St Mary's Loch.

Start Grid Ref

NT240205

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Services

Tibbie Shiels Inn at St Mary's Loch closed many years ago but there is a very basic campsite there and the Glen Cafe is on the A708 here. No facilities in Traquair but a cycle path provides an easy 3km detour to Innerleithen which has shops, cafes, accommodation and buses.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18.8km / 11.75 miles
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 427m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

This stage starts with an easy 5km walk along the eastern side of St Mary's Loch. The path starts just east of the former Tibbie Shiel's Inn, pass the SUW information board and then turns left through a gate into the the grounds of the St Mary's Loch Sailing Club to reach the loch. Turn right along the shore passing in front of the clubhouse and continue ahead past a bench and through a gate into the pasture beyond.

Stage 2

The route passes through the lovely remains of March Wood, a remnant of the great Ettrick Forest which once covered the area although very little now remains and regeneration is not possible with the current levels of deer and sheep grazing. After passing an oak sculpture "Shinglehook" incorporating wooden anchors attached to bronze casts floating in the water, the path eventually enters woodland below Bowerhope Law. Cross the pasture in front of Bowerhope Farm and turn left along the farm road. Keep on this to pass the end of the loch (where there are often people camping and there is sometimes a seasonal toilet) and cross a bridge over the Yarrow Water.

Stage 3

Immediately after the bridge turn right onto a riverside path which skirts the edge of a field before turning left next to a stone wall to head towards the A708. Just before the road turn right through a gate and take a diagonal path to a stile leading to the main road. Cross the road and another stile to follow a vague path straight ahead up the field, nearing slightly left to soon reach a junction with a track. Left leads to Dryhope Tower, a 16th century peel tower that is open to the public. It has excellent views and is well worth the short diversion.

Stage 4

Otherwise the Way turns right along the track across the eastern slopes of South Hawkshaw Rig and North Hawkshaw Rig to a bridge over the Douglas Burn at Craighope. Turn left on the track and then follwo the entrance track towards Blackhouse Farm passing just behind a derelict cottage. Just before the farm turn right onto a path which heads up through trees alongside the Craighope Burn. It then heads up into the commercial forest and climbs steadily.

Stage 5

The route eventually emerges from the forest and crosses open moorland to the 467 metre summit of Blake Muir. Here there is an excellent view ahead with the town of Innerleithen standing out below the prominent hill of Lee Pen.

Stage 6

The Way descends the north ridge of Blake Muir to the wide col with Fethan Hill where it drops down to the right and descends to a minor road at Kirkhouse keeping a stone wall just on your left for much of the way.

Stage 7

At the road turn left. Just nearby is the attractive white-walled Traquair Church, built in 1778. Stay on this road, crossing Kirk Bridge and keeping right where an even smaller road branches left. Cross Fingland Bridge and continue into the tiny settlement of Traquair where there is an SUW information shelter. The SUW continues by turning sharp right just before the war memorial to pass a row of houses on the next stage of the route. Traquair has no facilities but much bigger Innerleithen has shops, cafes, and accommodation as well as regular buses - this is a 3km detour via a dedicated cycle/walking path which leaves from near the war memorial. Next stage: Traquair to Melrose

Photos 4-7: Chris Townsend

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