Three Brethren, from near Selkirk

The Three Brethren are a trio of massive, solidly built cairns dating back to the sixteenth century; their position ensures they are a popular objective and a splendid viewpoint. This circular route reaches them from the southern side, near Selkirk.

Terrain

Mostly good hill tracks and paths, with steady gradients for a hillwalk. One or two muddy patches on the descent.

Public Transport

Bus to Selkirk, 1km from start.

Start

Philliphaugh Car park, near Selkirk. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

To reach Philliphaugh car park, take the Moffat road from the centre of Selkirk; when it joins the A707 go straight across up a drive for 600m to reach the parking area. There is an information board here giving details of several walks on the Philliphaugh Estate; our route follows one of them to the summit before returning via a different route. Head up the track past the board, signed Corbie Linn and the Three Brethren. When it forks, keep on the main left branch, keeping the woodland on your right at first. Later there are good views down to the burn down in a ravine on the left, with glimpses of an attractive waterfall - the Corbie Linn.

Stage 2

Further on the track forks; turn right here to head gently uphill, and keep right again at the next fork. The route soon takes on a more open aspect; the green bank on the left houses a small reservoir though the water isn't seen until you are looking back. Cross a stile beside a gate and continue on the track until it reaches a burn. There is no need to ford the burn; you can stay on a path on the east side and rejoin the track after it crosses back.

Stage 3

The now grassy track climbs gently across the right hand slope of the valley, and soon there is a first view of the Three Brethren cairns ahead. When the main track turns right and climbs steeply, leave it and instead take a path that continues directly ahead, aiming towards the cairns. The path is a little eroded in places and soon becomes a track itself before arriving at the cairns. Standing 3 metres high, the cairns were built in the 1500s to mark the meeting of the estate lands belonging to the lairds of Selkirk, Philliphaugh and Yair.

Stage 4

Today they are a popular objective for walkers, and are on the route of the Southern Upland Way from Traquair to Melrose. Despite the modest altitude, they command a magnificent view over this part of the Borders, with range after range of rolling green hills receding into the distance. Most distinctive is the outline of the Eildon Hills to the east, three summits of volcanic origin which appear quite out of character. Go through the gate at the Three Brethren and turn right onto the Southern Upland Way, taking a descending line almost parallel to the last part of your ascent and keeping a fence on your right.

Stage 5

The route soon passes through a gap in a fence and a signpost is reached. Leave the Southern Upland Way here and turn right over the stile / gate, and then immediately left on a clear track which climbs over the northern flanks of Peat Law. The views are superb as the track climbs and then begins descending towards a col between Peat Law and Linglie Hill. Just before reaching the lowest point, fork right on a rougher track, aiming towards a marker post. Here another track is met; turn left along this. It continues down to more improved pastures and passes through a gate. On the far side leave the track and continue ahead with a drystone wall on your right. This section can be boggy underfoot, though any wetness can be avoided by staying a little longer on the track before dropping down to the wall by the next fence. Cross a stile and a boardwalk before continuing the descent with the fence and wall on your right.

Stage 6

When the trees are reached go through a gate in the wall and then turn left to continue with the wall now on your left. Head up the open pastureland and keep straight on past a gap in the wall. At the top of the field turn right and continue across the pasture. Ignore a stile and instead carry on until two gates are reached. Go through the right hand gate to gain a track which descends along the edge of the plantation. At one point there are great views of Selkirk over to the left.

Stage 7

Further down another track joins from the right; continue the descent by bearing left. Keep straight ahead when a track branches off to the right to eventually rejoin the outward route beside some wooden steps. The steps lead up to a stone memorial seat; to return to the start head left along the track just beyond them; it soon leads back to the parking area.

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